Security tightened in Uganda ahead of Thursday's polls

As Ugandans head to the polls on February 18, extra personnel have been deployed in the much contested elections.

The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura said that officers will be placed at each polling station to protect the voters.

The department has deployed more than 5,000 extra personnel after one person died on Monday in running battles between the police and supporters of the main opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.

Meanwhile, Besigye claims that the election process in the country is flawed.

“If we consider that this election is fraudulent to the extent that we reject the outcome, we shall do so, we shall call that recommendation to them that this is what we found, we don’t consider this election as something that we can respect,’‘ Besigye said.

Nonetheless, the chairman of Uganda’s electoral commission, Badru Kiggundu, has insisted that it is fair.

“The electoral commission has continued to receive information that some political leaders as well as individuals contesting various elective positions are planning and still planning to form security groups known as youth brigades, vigilantes and militias,” Kiggundu said.

“The commission wishes to reiterate that it is only the Ugandan police which is in charge of providing security during polling. All candidates are urged to desist from forming any parallel groups,” he added.

Eight candidates are vying to lead the East African nation, among them is President Yoweri Museveni who has ruled Uganda for three decades.