Final Rallies Held in Uganda before Presidential Polls

Local Editor

Ugandan presidential contenders held their final rallies Tuesday, a day after opposition supporters clashed with police leaving at least one dead.

For his part, key opposition candidate Kizza Besigye, a three-time loser who was briefly detained by police in chaotic protests on Monday, said he was still confident of ending veteran President Yoweri Museveni's three-decade grip on power in the East African nation.

"The election cannot be free or fair, but it doesn't mean it can't be won," Besigye said, adding that he was still aiming for an "outright win," not a second round run-off in which the opposition might unify.

At least one person was killed Monday as police fought running battles with Besigye supporters from the Forum for Democratic Change party.

"We believe we can win the un-free and an unfair election, that's what we are trying to do," Besigye said, before zooming off towards the city center accompanied by some 300 supporters to hold rallies.

Many were riding motorbikes, waving tree branches and blowing whistles and horns, and wearing shirts with Besigye's face emblazoned on the front.

"If rigged, as we expect, we will continue the struggle for democracy," Besigye stated. "The struggle will simply continue."

Meanwhile, seven opposition candidates are vying to deny veteran leader Museveni a fourth decade in power at the February 18 election and there are fears violence could mar the vote, with all sides accusing each other of arming militias to press their claims.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team