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Uganda

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Ugandans voted to restore a multi-party political system in a constitutional referendum held on 28 July 2005. Political parties were barred from competing in elections for nearly 20 years in order to curb sectarian tensions. President Yoweri Museveni instituted the non-party "Movement" system of government when he came to power in 1986. Five years ago, in a similar referendum, Ugandans chose to keep the restrictions on the parties.

The Ugandan Parliament voted to conduct the referendum on 4 May 2005.[1] Enthusiasm for the poll was muted, however, as both the government and opposition supported a return to a multiparty system. Some political groupings, including the Forum for Democratic Change, boycotted the poll, claiming that it would legitimise 19 years of rule by an effective one-party state [2]. President Museveni castigated the boycotters for "not contributing to the development of Uganda" [3]. Other observers suggested the $12.5m spent on the referendum might have been put to better use elsewhere in Uganda, one of the poorest countries in the world.

The lengthy question presented to voters on their ballots was criticised for being confusing: "Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations/parties to do so to compete for political power?" Symbol of a tree and a house accompanied the 'yes' and 'no' boxes, respectively, on the ballot papers [4].

More than 90% of voters backed the return to multi-party politics. Some observers expressed surprise at the official figures given for voter turnout. Initial estimates indicated that less than 30% of Uganda's 8.5 million voters had turned out for the poll. The Electoral Commission, however, released an official figure of 47%. A low turnout would have been embarrassing for Museveni.[5]

"Do you agree to open up the political space to allow those who wish to join different organisations/ parties to do so to compete for political power?"

Source: Uganda Electoral Commission

President Yoweri Museveni casts his 'yes' vote at Kaaro High School polling station in Mbarara district.

• Campaigns end, security on high alert, The Monitor, 27 July 2005
• Uganda votes on electoral change, BBC News, 28 July 2005
• Multi-party poll divides Ugandan press, BBC News, 28 July 2005
• Multi-party leads in poll, The Monitor, 29 July 2005
• Uganda 'backs' multi-party return, BBC News, 29 July 2005
• Uganda backs multiparty politics early results show, Reuters, 29 July 2005
• Poor voter turnout mars referendum, The Monitor, 29 July 2005
• Turnup low in referendum, New Vision, 29 July 2005

• Uganda Electoral Commission

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