Thursday, 14th, will mark another memorable day in Uganda as citizens will be bracing about to cast their votes. Ugandans have awaited this day as it’s a day to determine the fate of their prominent leaders. The campaign period has been full of endless confrontations accompanied by episodes of violence. The nation at large is still under political siege as they wait for the elections and the results. Maybe then will the country return to normalcy.
The Presidential Candidates
Ten people are competing for the Presidential seat in Uganda, with honorable Museveni at the lead. However, the latter faces tough competition from prominent opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform, and Patrick Oboi of the Forum for Democratic Changes. The contesting candidates are hoping to secure votes from the 18 million eligible voters.
Election Preparations
On Tuesday, 12th of January, the three primary Presidential candidates took to conducting final touches ahead of the elections. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, famously known as POA, led his last rally in his home town, in Ngora, located in northeastern Uganda. Together with his supporters, the politician called on the voters in his village to stand with him amid the elections, urging them to vote in his favor.
Mr. Amuriat has faced several challenges during the campaign period. Ugandan security has arrested him consequently and charged him withholding public gatherings. Even an instance when officers stormed his campaign, violently maltreated him, resulting in losing his shoes. The lad had to continue addressing his supporters barefoot. According to him, that was an act of defiance
Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine has also undergone numerous harassments come intimidation. The Ugandan popster started his political career through his music. He says that with him, he has been singing the challenges that Ugandans have been facing. And he has desired to salvage his people. Tuesday being Wine’s final campaign day, he agreed to a joint press briefing from several news agencies. Alongside him were two other opposition candidates, who also expressed their views.
Wine urged Ugandans to elect a leader who would prioritize their wellbeing and ensure developments in their country. He talked about it multiple times; Ugandan forces have harassed him, dispersing his campaigns. He complained of how Museveni’s regime has been unfair to him. Posing false charges on him, trying to assassinate him, all that in an attempt to stop him from contesting. Mr. Wine assured his supporters that he would roll with them to the end. Even though he flew his family out of Uganda, the politician is more than ready to stand with Ugandans and ensure free and fair elections.
Mr. Museveni, the current President of Uganda, also addressed the public through a speech on the state television station. Mr. Museveni alleged that the opposition was planning to rig the votes come election day. This remark comes after he bashed out foreign nations for meddling in their business after Facebook blocked the accounts belonging to some of his top supporters. Museveni’s administration said they would not allow room for puppet leaders in their country. That was about foreign states’ support for Bobi Wine.
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