Election

The presidential campaigns are heating up with the election scheduled for February 18. President Yoweri Museveni appeared last week at a rally 100 yards from my house. I was initially turned away at the security gate because of my camera-there’s a strict rule against unauthorized photos of the president- so no pictures. It’s widely believed that Museveni will win, both because there are at least 5 other candidates to dilute the opposition vote and there is general belief in voting ‘irregularities’. Museveni has been president since 1986, taking over in a military operation. In 2004 he changed the constitution to do away with term limits. The country has had considerably more stability since 1986 than in the 20 years prior, during which there was the Idi Amin era followed by civil war- and a huge amount of suffering. However, some people have become increasingly disenchanted with the government and I’ve heard some very angry descriptions of the current regime. Most people think it is unlikely that there will be widespread rioting/unrest after the elections, especially in Mbarara and Ruhiira, though there are contingency evacuation plans. And no one I’ve talked to thinks it’s wise to be in Kampala during that time. The rally was like those in the US, I think. There were musical celebrities (including Bebe Cool for those up on Ugandan rap), traditional dancers, lots of speeches, and then the arrival of President Museveni, standing through the sunroof of an SUV and waving. On his arrival, masses of people ran up to the car and alongside as the car approached the podium. He has cultivated a campaign image of ‘the elder’ and always wears a hat so that his silhouette is quite recognizable. In a clever PR move, he did a rap song a couple months ago (with a refrain of, “Want another rap?” and a group says, “Yes, Sebo (Sir)”), which is widely played, including at the wedding I attended. During his one-hour speech (my housemate, Moses, kindly interpreted), he made very many promises to very many constituencies, including subsidies to the boda-boda drivers. More to come. The lone photo is from the gates of Makere University in Kampala.