Uganda presidential candidates hold final rallies

Uganda’s contenders in Thursday’s presidential election concluded their campaigns yesterday. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the National Resistance Movement flag bearer, concluded his rallies at Kololo Airstrip and Mukono North constituency. His archrival Dr Kizza Besigye for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) wound up his rallies at Naguru, a Kampala suburb. Addressing a mammoth crowd that turned up for his last rally at Kololo Airstrip, Museveni warned against election violence, saying whoever instigates violence will be dealt with by the law. “I can assure that our elections here will be free and fair. Those planning to be violent will be dealt with as the law requires,” Museveni said. Besigye, who from the start promised a campaign of defiance other than compliance, called on his supporters to get to the polling station as early as possible for voting. Amama Mbabazi of the Go Forward group held his last rally in Kyengera, a Kampala suburb. Meanwhile, heads of International Election Observer Missions in Uganda have appealed to all key players to refrain from any act or dissemination of information that may cause tensions and disturbance. We therefore urge voters to turn out to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully, orderly and lawfully, said a statement signed by the heads of missions that include EAC, and COMESA. The remarks come in the wake of tensions that rose on Monday after Besigye allegedly defied Police orders to use the rightfully designated campaign routes.

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Uganda presidential candidates hold final rallies