Uganda launches 2011 presidential campaigns

The 2011 Ugandan presidential campaign officially kicked off on Monday as aspirants (as they’re called here) presented themselves for nomination—a process by which their candidacy is given an official stamp of approval. The leading candidates are the incumbent Yoweri Museveni and key challengers Kizza Besigye and Norbert Mao. Following the nomination ceremony, President Museveni’s party, NRM, held a loud, eight hour (!) rally featuring thousands of boisterous supporters at the Kololo Air Strip. I can testify to the loud part, since the rally site is one block from my apartment. I strolled around the perimeter of the celebration, and enjoyed the spectacle—throngs of yellow-shirted NRM enthusiasts, animated (often, shouting) speakers, presidential promises of fighting corruption, lots of music, and vendors selling sweet bananas from baskets perched upon their heads. The presidential/parliamentary elections are Feb. 18, 2011. (Photo: Guardian, UK).