Ugandans decide on voting reform

Ugandans chose whether or not to allow multi-party politics in the East African country in a referendum today, the first step in reforming the country’s constitution, which forbids political parties from campaigning in elections.

President Yoweri Museveni banned multi-party politics when he came to power in 1986, insisting political parties were tribally-based and responsible for years of partisan violence and civil war.

Under pressure from international donors and Ugandan activists, Museveni agreed to reintroduce multi-party politics, if a majority of voter approved.

Opposition groups have boycotted the referendum, insisting it was a waste of money and the reforms should be instituted without a vote.

Electoral commission chairman Badru Kiggundu made a last minute appeal late yesterday to Uganda’s 8.5 million registered voters to participate in the referendum.

“I appeal to voters to turn up in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights by choosing a system of their own choice,” he said.

But in the capital, Kampala, polling stations were largely empty early today

Voters indicate their choice by placing an ’X’ next to a tree symbol for the return to pluralism or next to a house symbol for the retention of the non-partisan system.

More than 17,000 polling stations will remain open until 5pm (4pm Irish time).

Final results are not expected for several days. International observers from 132 organisations and six local groups will be monitoring the voting.