Ugandan general election, 2006

Uganda
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Uganda
Constitution Human rights LGBT rights
Government President (List) Yoweri Museveni Vice President Edward Ssekandi Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda Cabinet
Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga
Judiciary Supreme Court
Administrative divisions Regions Districts Counties Sub-counties Local Council
Elections Recent elections General: 2011 2016 Political parties
Foreign relations
Other countries Atlas Politics portal

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 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 included his alleged links to the rebel groups, Lord's Resistance Army and People's Redemption Army, and the rape charge referred 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 believed the charges were fabricated to stop Besigye from challenging Museveni.

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.

Registered presidential candidates

• Abed Bwanika, independent
• John Ssebaana Kizito, Democratic Party
• Kizza Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change
• Miria Obote, Uganda People's Congress
• Yoweri Museveni, National Resistance Movement

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"^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3]

23 February 2006 Ugandan presidential election results by district

Controversy

The 2006 election was marred by a lot of controversy with the incumbent government accused of intimidating the opposition parties.^[4] Examples of this intimidation include the arrest and detention of one of the opposition leaders, Kizza Besigye allegedly on charges of rape and treason.^[5]

Notes

1. ↑ 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.
2. ↑ Uganda's Museveni wins election, BBC News, 25 February 2006
3. ↑ Uganda court rejects poll protest, BBC News, 6 April 2006
4. ↑ Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, "Uganda: Strength of political opposition following the February 2006 elections; reports of mistreatment of members and supporters of opposition parties by authorities (November 2005 - January 2007)", 22 February 2007
5. ↑ In Hope and Fear: Uganda's Presidential and Parliamentary Polls, Human Rights Watch, February 2006

External links

• Uganda Elections 2006
• 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 , Daily Monitor, 16 December 2005
• Museveni nominated, New Vision, 16 December 2005
• Uganda Sets Date for 2006 Election, VOA, 17 December 2005

Elections and referendums in Uganda Presidential elections 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 Parliamentary elections 1958 1961 1962 1980 1989 1994 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 Referendums 2000 2005