Uganda presidential candidates hold hands for prayers during Saturday debate. [Photo/BBC.com]
In just under 72 hours, Ugandans will go to the ballot to choose their next President for a five-year term.
The
race, which has attracted eight candidates, had been described by
political pundits as one of the fiercest the country has ever witnessed
since the adoption of a multi-party democracy in 2005.
The
incumbent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has offered to defend his seat and
seek a fifth term, which would stretch his 30-year reign with a further 5
years.
Former
Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is also a candidate in the race as
well as Museveni’s fiercest rival and his former doctor Kizza Besigye.
Though
the race also has former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof
Venansius Baryamureeba, Pastor Joseph Mabirizi, Bwanika Abed,
Maureen Kyalya and Benon Biraaro, recently released polls point at a
three-horse race between Museveni of the National Resistant Movement
(NRM), Besigye of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Mbabazi who is
running as an independent candidate.
Opinion
polls conducted between January 15 and 19 this year show Museveni ahead
of the pack at 51 per cent with Besigye coming second with 32 per
cent. Mbabazi was third with 12 per cent.
The survey was held in 89 districts across Uganda with 2,685 voters taking part.
Supporters
of Besigye and Mbabazi have however downplayed the significance of the
polls saying they are a publicity stunt funded by the government to sway
the votes in Museveni’s favour.
Whether
or not the polls are a true reflection of the mood on the ground will
be known after Thursday this week, with candidates traversing the
country in a hunt for votes.
The
Opposition, led by Besigye, has also voiced concerns over an apparent
plan by the government to rig the elections, saying they will only
accept the results of a free and fair elections.
Speaking
on Saturday night’s Presidential debate, Besigye said he has no faith
in the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) noting that the importation
of anti-riot gear and police vehicles is all part of a larger scheme to
instill fear in the electorate and push for a Museveni win.
Responding to questions
in the debate, Museveni said he is the better choice for Uganda saying
most of his competitors are accustomed to building on already-laid
foundations.
“Listening to the talk here, I am convinced that there is only one person who is qualified to manage Uganda (me),” he said.
“Most
of my competitors have worked under me for many years but it seems like
they have not learnt how to build anything from scratch.”
Mbabazi,
on his part stated that he is inspired by John Magufuli who was once a
minister before he rose to be the President of the Republic of Tanzania.
“Tanzania
began to change on the day Magufuli was sworn in as president. I appeal
to the people of Uganda that it is time to change, they should use
their votes to choose whether they want the country to remain the same
or to change.”
Over 15.3 million registered voters are expected to take part in the elections.