Testing the mood in north Uganda

On the eve of Uganda's first multi-party elections in 26 years, the BBC's Anna Borzello gauges the mood in the northern district of Lira - a traditional opposition stronghold wracked in recent years by rebel violence.

Along the busy main street in Lira town, nearly every trader I met told me they wanted to get rid of President Yoweri Museveni.

Miria Obote campaigns in Lira, birthplace of her husband

I wasn't surprised. Lira district has been anti-government since Mr Museveni helped topple the late Lira-born president, Milton Obote, 20 years ago, pushing the region to the margins of national life.

The traders did not cite this historical grievance.

Instead, they talked about insecurity.

In 2002, a wave of Lord's Resistance Army rebels swept into the district, killing, abducting and forcing thousands of people into camps.

The displaced have yet to return home.

Ugandan voters share their views on their country's key poll In pictures

Lira is a stronghold of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party but many people told me they would not vote for the UPC candidate, Miria Obote, the wife of the late president.

"She's a woman," they said, "and if the elections get tough, she won't manage."

Instead, their strategy is to vote for the Forum for Democratic Change's Dr Kizza Besigye, and then cultivate a UPC candidate for the next election.

Rebel risk

This view is echoed at Ballastock Farm, a camp for displaced people. Jeanette, a mother of three, showed me her small hut with its fold of green tarpaulin that serves as a mattress.

Then, she called her 13-year-old son and described how he had been kidnapped and brutalised by rebels. He still has nightmares.

She told me: "I believe Besigye is the one who will send us home."

However, not everyone will be able to take part in the elections.

The camp, as yet, does not have a polling station and people must trek to their villages.

The security situation has improved - but for some, the fear of meeting rebels on the way makes it simply too much of a risk.