Ugandans off to the polls
2005-07-28 10:31
Kampala - Polls opened across Uganda on Thursday for a referendum on multi-party democracy which if approved would restore political pluralism in the East African nation after nearly 20 years.
Amid opposition boycott calls and apparent widespread apathy, Ugandans began voting at 07:00 on whether to repeal a ban on political parties imposed by President Yoweri Museveni who now backs its removal.
Early turnout in the capital appeared to be light as the polls opened, AFP correspondents said, but despite the boycott threat and little voter enthusiasm, many believe the referendum will endorse Uganda's most sweeping political reform in a generation.
Some 8.5 million Ugandans are registered to vote at 17 000 polling stations nationwide where authorities have stepped up security to forestall any potential disruptions.
Polls are to close at 17:00 with the first results expected on Friday and final returns on Saturday, officials said.