UGANDA: Several hundred Ugandans demonstrated peacefully in Kampala yesterday against another term in office for President Yoweri Museveni.
Fears of political instability have been growing as the East African country approaches its first multiparty election for two decades early next year when Mr Museveni is due to step down.
"That man Museveni, he must go," opposition member of parliament Ken Lukyamuzi shouted from a pick-up truck to the group of around 1,000 demonstrators.
Mr Museveni, who has been leader for nearly 20 years, is constitutionally obliged to step down at the elections in March, but it is unclear whether he will.
Critics say the absence of any heir-apparent suggests he is aiming to become Uganda's president-for-life.
"The debate [ on presidential term limits] is healthy, and at the end, may the best side win. Of course, we believe our side has the arguments to convince Ugandans," Mr Museveni's spokesman Onapito Ekomoloit told Reuters.
The marchers condemned what they said was government harassment of the opposition, and said they supported rock star turned activist Bob Geldof who said Mr Museveni should "get a grip" and give way to a new Ugandan leader.
The remarks by the Irish aid campaigner - made this month at the launch of a major British development report on Africa - angered many Museveni supporters, several hundred of whom protested outside the British High Commission on Monday.
Six opposition parties took part in yesterday's rally, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party, Uganda People's Congress and the Conservative Party, calling themselves the Group of Six (G6).
"We wish to bring it to the attention of the international and donor community that it should not tackle the problem of dictatorship selectively," FDC national youth co-ordinator Odonga Otto said in a statement.
"The dictatorship is making frantic efforts to remove term limits which will in effect lead to the establishment of a dictatorial presidential monarchy in Uganda," he said.
The demonstrators delivered petitions to the British High Commission and parliament, rejecting moves to amend Uganda's constitution that would remove presidential term limits. - (Reuters)