Erections in Uganda

Ugandans sometimes mix up the 'l' and the 'r'. So, from time to time you hear someone saying he likes 'lice' instead of 'rice' and on the radio someone talks about the upcoming Presidential erections on Feb. 18th. Hilarious.

Mr. Musevini (shortcut M7) is standing again for another term, after having adjusted the constitution accordingly. Also hilarious?

Anyway, Presidential elections are taking place on the 18th, results will be announced on Sunday 20th and subsequently most of the other key offices will be elected (e.g. Members of Parliament, district and local administration, mayor, etc.). The town is full of posters of all those candidates' smiling, promising and friendly faces.


Some efforts are being made to make voters aware of the fact that a candidate's programme should be one of the key elements to give your vote - not only his/her promises, family ties, and tribal affiliation. Very nice: "Wolokoso" means palaver in the local language :-)

However, putting up beautified portrays of candidates is rampant in town, and rallies with deafening reggae music and a cheering and sometimes drunken crowd infest the city - I've even heard an airplane flying low over the streets while shouting slogans promoting a candidate to pedestrians.


Whoever wins, I believe it won't make a huge change to the country, I only hope that the threats to disregard the election results and to "claim our victory by force if necessary" will not come true and thrust the country into turmoil. Keep your fingers crossed!