Uganda : Museveni accused of intimidating opponents

The main challenger in Uganda's forthcoming presidential election, Kiiza Besigye, has accused President Yoweri Museveni of persistent intimidation of his supporters.

Mr Besigye , a retired army colonel, said Mr Museveni had personally approached members of his campaign team with promises of future government positions and money if they changed side.

When this failed, Mr Besigye said, his men were then subjected to intimidation.

The allegations follow the arrest and subsequent release of a key member of Mr Besigye's team.

Recent opinion polls have placed Mr Besigye not very far behind Mr Museveni, who abolished political parties in Uganda after seizing power in 1986. The elections are due in two weeks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service