Going to the polls.....

So in less than a week Uganda will go to the polls to vote on who they want for their next president. Or at least that is the general idea.
I've started to write about this topic several times because campaigning is in full swing and there has been lots of controversy and much talk on this topic. But I need to be careful because this is such a hot topic issue. So mostly I'd like to ask you to pray for peace.

Museveni

Former prime minister (Mbabazi) and former military officer (Besigye) are the major contenders against incumbent Museveni who has been president since 1986. Last elections things were tense but mostly uneventful. Yet later the Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, voter disenfranchisement and other irregularities though the results of the election were upheld.  

Besigye

This year things are already tense. People are nervous, the candidates are aggressive and things have the potential to be disconcerting. But the Uganda people as a whole desire stability and peace so things may be fine.
If you want more information here is a BBC article that was helpful.

Here are some suggested prayer points:

• Thanks and praise for 50+ years of independence for Uganda. 
• Request that God would provide the right leadership for the country. 
• That Christians would lead by example the best biblical response to political problems. 
• Against open conflict and violence that puts innocents at risk.