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Ugandans About to Head to Polls as Singer Challenges Museveni's Rule

Halima Athumani

   KAMPALA - Ugandans head to the polls Thursday to cast ballots for the
   country's next president. Musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine is the
   most prominent of 11 candidates challenging President Yoweri Museveni,
   who has led the country for nearly 35 years.

   Stability, security and peace have been President Museveni's key
   selling points to Ugandan voters with a campaign themed, "Secure your
   future."

   Bobi Wine, on the other hand, has directed his campaign at young
   voters, promising freedom from Museveni's heavy-handed rule, and
   pledging to create five million jobs should he assume power.

   Sarah Birete, a pro-democracy political activist, says for many
   Ugandans, these elections are not about economic issues, but about
   redeeming the soul of the nation.

   "If you see Ugandans coming on the streets, they are simply saying they
   are tired of people that have hijacked the state," she said. "We have
   rising levels of impunity by duty bearers. These are an example of
   things that have made citizens of this country angry and hungry for
   change. So, it's not about issues that this candidate is speaking.
   Well, no. Can we have our country back, then we shall redefine how we
   will be governed."

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