This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/voting-starts-in-uganda-election-seen-as-challenge-to-leader/2016/02/18/a47d3886-d602-11e5-a65b-587e721fb231_story.html

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Voting starts in Uganda election seen as challenge to leader Voting starts in Uganda election seen as challenge to leader
(35 minutes later)
KAMPALA, Uganda — Voting has started in Uganda’s general election in which the country’s long-time president faces seven opponents. KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandans voted Thursday in presidential elections seen as the toughest challenge yet for the country’s long-time president, who faces seven opponents.
Because of delays in delivering voting materials, voting stated late at many polling stations, and at some stations voting had not even started several minutes after the official opening time. The voting has been marred by delays because of the late delivery of voting materials in many places, especially in the capital Kampala.
President Yoweri Museveni faces a strong challenge from his main rival, Kizza Besigye, who says he does not believe the election will be free or fair. President Yoweri Museveni faces a strong challenge from Kizza Besigye, who has called Museveni a dictator and told reporters earlier this week that he does not believe voting will be free or fair.
Museveni has said he needs more time to implement his development programs. Ugandans are also choosing lawmakers. More than 15 million people are registered to vote. Ugandans are also choosing lawmakers.
There were long lines at many polling stations in the capital, Kampala, with people complaining loudly about the delays. There were long lines at many polling stations in Kampala, with people complaining loudly about the delays. Some ballot boxes had missing lids, stranding voting officials who frantically made calls.
More than 15 million people are registered to vote. Polls close at 4 p.m. local time. “We are late simply because the lids for ballot boxes are not here. The boxes and the lids should have arrived at the same time,” said Moses Omo, an official who was presiding over voting at a Catholic church in the central Ugandan district of Wakiso.
Despite the delays, which lasted over an hour at some polling stations, many potential voters said they would not leave without voting.
“This is very disappointing but I am going to stay here under the sun until it is my turn to vote,” said Fred Mubiru, a taxi driver. “Nothing will discourage me.”
Although opinion polls had shown Museveni to be ahead of his opponents, analysts expect this election to be his toughest yet.
Museveni, 71, remains popular in some parts of rural Uganda, where he is seen as a father figure and is beloved by those who remember his time as a guerrilla leader fighting a dictatorship.
He came to power in 1986 and pulled Uganda out of years of chaos. He is widely credited with restoring peace and presiding over economic growth, and is a key U.S. ally on security matters, especially in Somalia.
Besigye, who is running for the fourth time against Museveni, campaigned on a promise to run a more effective government and vowed to stem official corruption, a key concern for many voters.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.