Elections

In February 2011 the Presidency elections will be taking place in Uganda.  At the moment President Museveni leads the country and for the most part, the country is at peace.  Now the President will attempt to be re-elected.  He stands against a further six opponents.  According to the locals, the current president is likely to stay in power, and there is only one real 'threat' to him being over powered by another man. 
Even so, all party candidates are 'in it to win it' and are out on the streets with their campaign teams to try and win votes!  In fact they are causing utter chaos.  The rallies can be up to six vehicles long.  Campaigners are hanging out of car windows, sunroofs, are four strong on bikes, waving leaves and blowing hooters.  There are loud speakers on trucks and the candidates are proudly standing in vehicles, waving to the masses!  Everyone seemed to take to the streets.  We kept the camera close by in the hope of seeing Museveni on his campaign.  I think we saw every other candidate, but no sign of Museveni.

It's really odd to think that we are only in November and already the rallies are taking such a high profile in the streets.  You can see the excitement in the eyes of the campaigners.  They are so commited to their candidates.  At the moment it all seems quite light hearted fun, with each candidate trying to out-do the other, with a bigger banner, a louder rally, more followers.  What is worrying is when you realise how passionately these campaigners want their candidate to win and the excitement could so easily turn into violence.  We heard yesterday from our driver, that nearer the elections, the army take to the streets.  So even when Uganda states 'every person has a vote', on times people are too fearful to actually go and cast their votes.  It becomes a very tense time for everyone living here or visiting.  The country needs a lot of prayers to remain in a peaceful state during this election period.