People across Uganda have begun voting in presidential elections, with
incumbent Yoweri Museveni seeking to extend his 30-year rule.
Yoweri Museveni(71)has been in office since winning a five-year guerrilla war
in 1986, and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders
Seven opposition candidates are taking part in the race - widely seen as the tightest in the country's history.
Yoweri Museveni's two main challengers are veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.
Kizza Besigye has unsuccessfully challenged his former comrade-in-arms in the last three presidential elections
Amama Mbabazi is another former ally of President Museveni. He served as prime
minister in 2011-2014, when he was dismissed after announcing he would
launch a rival presidential bid.
Polls opened at 04:00 GMT on Thursday. More than 15 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.
A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.
Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.
Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
Seven opposition candidates are taking part in the race - widely seen as the tightest in the country's history.
Yoweri Museveni's two main challengers are veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.
Polls opened at 04:00 GMT on Thursday. More than 15 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.
A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.
Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.
Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
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