The spokesman for the Ugandan People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has said troops are standing by should violence accompany the 18 February general elections, but said he was confident the balloting would be peaceful. Police forces will assure security at the 24,000 polling stations nationwide ahead of the vote, which is expected to return Yow-eri Museveni to the presidency for the fourth time despite a narrowing margin with opponent Warren Kizza Besigye. "The troops will remain on stand-by because there are individuals who are threatening by area and also we know about the threat of the [Somali islamist] Shabab terrorists," UPDF Lieutenant Colonel Felix Kulayigye told Jane's on 9 February.
展开▼
