It’s election day in Uganda, and therefore a public holiday. It’s a chance for citizens to elect a new President and their MPs for national Parliament. This is only the second time in more than 30 years that multi-party elections had been held. If he wins it will be the 4th term of elected office for President Museveni, although he has been in power since 1986 when he led the military overthrow of the dictator, Obote. Museveni is credited with rebuilding the country, bringing peace, stability, economic growth and reintroducing multi-party elections following the violence and extremes of Obote, and his predecessor, Idi Amin.
Although many aspects of the elections are familiar to us, the arrangements of the polling stations are a bit different to the UK. Firstly, those near us are out of doors, with the one behind our house being in the middle of the local football pitch. Perhaps because the purchase of polling booths would be expensive, it appears a bowl is provided in which voters can place and then mark their ballot papers with some privacy. Their are many candidates for President, and some form of Alternative Vote system must be used but we do not know the details – perhaps it is something that the UK government could consider in the current debate at home, though I don’t suggest moving out of doors to vote!!!!!!
The results of the Presidential election are expected to be announced on Sunday
There are also more visitors here. In addition to Chris from Chesham that we mentioned last week, two paediatric doctors from Manchester, Chris and Rosie, are also visiting Potter’s Village babies home for a couple of weeks. On Monday we were all invited for dinner at the Bishop’s house which was most enjoyable.
We are looking forward to going to the wedding tomorrow of the former Diocese Treasurer, Revd Habert. He is now the vicar at the cathedral which is where the wedding service will be held. This will be followed by a reception at a local school.
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