Second Uganda Presidential Debate. Museveni Attends for the first time - History made

Presidential Candidates, Attending the second presidential Debate at Serena Hotel on 12- Feb-2016 #UgandaDEcides

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has taken part in his first televised debate ahead of elections on Thursday.

Mr Museveni snubbed Uganda's first pre-election debate last month, saying such events were for schoolchildren.

The Ugandan leader, 71, is seeking to extend his 30-year rule by winning a fifth term in government.

The focus of the second debate was foreign policy and national security - considered to be Mr Museveni's strongest points.

The first debate focused on domestic issues such as health and education

Museveni on oil: The oil was discovered by the NRM... under my leadership & direct command.

Uganda is now an exporter of human resource in terms of petroleum experts.

Oil money will be used for infrastructure, science and innovation. It will not be used to import perfurmes.

I don't think there is anybody who can be more accountable on oil revenue... we have a law passed by a multiparty Parliament.

Besigye on Oil: Oil is certainly a curse in the hands of an unaccountable and corrupt regime.
Oil can create complications including environmental disaster when mismanaged.
In our plans, we think oil should be given specific attention and should have an authority

Mabirizi on climate change: My govt will invest in agriculture and tourism. Oil is not a curse but it can spoil our environment. Globally, oil prices are going down. We need to invest in agriculture and tourism.

Biraaro: Climate change is set to affect Uganda & other African countries worse than countries elsewhere.
As a means of reducing effects of ‪#‎climatechange‬, candidate Biraaro says Uganda should build its irrigation capacity.

Biraaro promises UGX30bn per district to ensure food security, afforestation campaigns in a bid to curb climate change effects.

  
Bwanika: We need to amend our laws to allow Ugandans in the diaspora to vote.
Laws should be amended to allow Ugandans in the diaspora to stand for leadership positions.
However, someone who has been away for so long should never run for presidency.

Mbabazi says it is 'shameful' that Ugandans in diaspora are treated as foreigners by their own country.
He says that under his leadership, Ugandans living abroad will not have to pay 'ridiculous' entry fees upon arrival
 Baryamureeba promises to recapitalise Uganda Development Bank in Uganda to provide credit to Ugandans

Uganda's election explained

Most observers thought Mr Museveni maintained his composure and made concise points, the BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga reports from Kampala.

However, the moderators were less challenging in this debate. Some analysts wonder whether this was one of Mr Museveni's conditions for attending, our correspondent adds.

Mr Museveni said his rivals' allegations of corruption were fiction and also dismissed criticism of his economic policies and the state of the health care system.

Eight presidential candidates are contesting Thursday's polls. Ugandans will vote in parliamentary and local elections on the same day.

For the first time, Mr Museveni and his National Resistance Movement will face two strong opponents.

They are Kizza Besigye, the veteran opposition leader, and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and close ally of the president.

Mr Besigya leads the Forum for Democratic Change, while Mr Mbabazi is running as an independent with the GoForward pressure group

.

Major issues for voters include persistently high unemployment, corruption and the quality of public services.