Ugandan general election, 2006

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The Ugandan general election of 2006 took place on February 23, 2006. This was the first multiparty election since Yoweri Museveni, the current president, took over power in 1986. Six candidates contested for the Presidential office, and at least 33 parties were expected to enter the Parliamentary and District chairperson elections.

Yoweri Museveni ran for re-election. His main opponent was expected to be the leader of the opposition party Forum for Democratic Change, Kizza Besigye. Besigye was arrested on November 14, 2005 on allegations of treason, concealment of treason, and rape. The treason case includes his alleged links to the rebel groups, Lord's Resistance Army and People's Redemption Army, and the rape charge refers to an incident in November 1997 allegedly involving the daughter of a friend. The arrest led to demonstrations and riots in Kampala and towns around the country. Pro-Besigye protesters believe the charges are fabricated to stop Besigye from challenging Museveni in the 2006 elections.

In December 2005, six presidential candidates, including Yoweri Museveni and the leaders of the three major opposition political parties, and two independents, qualified to contest in the elections.

Contents

1 Registered presidential candidates
2 Results
3 Notes
4 External links
5 Press articles

Registered presidential candidates

Justice Forum leader Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja and Conservative Party's Ken Lukyamuzi decided not to contest, but said they would support a joint candidate agreed to by the "Group of Six"The Group of Six or G6 are the main opposition political parties which include, the Democratic Party, Uganda Peoples Congress, Conservative Party, FDC, The Free Movement and Justice Forum. opposition political parties. Independent candidate Nasser Sebaggala registered, but later decided to quit the presidential race, and asked his supporters to vote for the DP's Kizito.

Results

Official figures released on February 25, 2006 showed Museveni had won 59% of the vote, giving him a third term as President, while main rival Kizza Besigye took 37%. Opposition supporters in Kampala staged some protests but were dispersed by riot police with tear gas.[Uganda's Museveni wins election], BBC News, 25 February 2006 On 6 April, the Supreme Court of Uganda rejected Besigye's request to dismiss the poll by a vote of four to three, though a majority agreed that there had been electoral irregularities.[Uganda court rejects poll protest], BBC News, 6 April 2006



Notes


External links
[The Electoral Commission]
[Ugandaelections.com]
Press articles
[Uganda's Museveni wins election], BBC News, 25 February 2006
[Uganda police shoot rioter dead], BBC News, 15 November 2005
[Profiles of 2006 candidates], , 16 December, 2005
[Museveni nominated], New Vision, 16 December 2005
[Uganda Sets Date for 2006 Election], VOA, 17 December 2005








 



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