Ugandan General Election, 2006
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.
Read more about Ugandan General Election, 2006: Registered Presidential Candidates, Results, Controversy
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