1 Killed in violence ahead of presidential polls In UGANDA

An opposition supporter was fatally shot
Monday in clashes with the police during a campaign
event in the capital, the police and a presidential
candidate said Tuesday, raising concern over the role
of the security forces in tight presidential elections
Thursday.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed Tuesday
that one civilian was killed in scuffles and that the
police fired rubber bullets to disperse supporters of
presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
Besigye, in a close race with long-time Ugandan
President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not
believe the election will be free and fair, and urged
his supporters to defy any illegal orders by the
authorities.
One such order is a ban on carrying mobile phones to
polling stations, a decree that some worry would
hamper efforts to promote transparency during the
elections. Besigye is urging his supporters to protect
their votes at the polling stations, while the country's
election commission has been encouraging voters to
vote and then return home. Besigye's supporters say
those with smartphones, for example, might be able
to record any illegal or inappropriate events at polling
stations.
Eduard Kukan, who is leading election monitors from
the European Union, told reporters Tuesday that he
would raise concerns with the election commission,
including over the voters' register.
Museveni, who took power by force three decades
ago, has said the military will "smash" those who
threaten national security. That amounts to
intimidation, according to Besigye, a retired army
colonel who served as deputy interior minister in
Museveni's first Cabinet. Besigye broke ranks with
the government in 2000, citing the lack of democracy
within the ruling party.
"Our people spoke with one voice and gave a simple
message that they want change," Besigye told
reporters Tuesday. "That was a very strong and
direct message everywhere we went."