Democracy test as Uganda decides

A great showdown is expected as Ugandans vote in a hotly contested presidential election today pitting the incumbent, Yoweri Museveni in power since 1986, against a motley of opposition politicians led by Kizza Besigye. Mr Museveni came to power when most of those who will vote in tomorrow's election were not yet born. Nearly 28 million of the 35 million Ugandans, according to official 2014 census figures, are aged 30 and below. No one else for sure knows whether if Ugandans had a choice, Mr Museveni's name would be on the ballot. But the choice has been Mr Museveni's.

Uganda remains the only country in East Africa that is yet to embrace presidential term limits after Mr Museveni orchestrated a change in the Constitution in 2005. Ironically, Mr Museveni wrote in 1988: "The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people, but leaders who want to overstay in power." He was right, research shows that in countries that hold regular elections, key economic indicators are positive and life is generally better.