Roundup: Uganda's presidential campaigns close ahead of Thursday polls

Uganda's three-month presidential and parliamentary campaigns came to a close on Tuesday, two days to the general polls.

The eight presidential candidates vying for the east African country's top job held their final campaign rallies in different parts of the country.

Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement party candidate held his final campaign rally at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds in the capital, Kampala.

He appealed to his supporters to turn up in big numbers to vote noting that the party will get a landslide victory.

"I have traversed the whole country and addressed rallies in 292 counties save for Mukono North where I am going after here and the movement support I have encountered is overwhelming," he said.

The president also issued a stern warning that those bent on causing chaos would pay a heavy price.

"Anyone who attempts to create violence will pay heavily and I am advising those who want to act violently, to look for another country not Uganda," Museveni told a mammoth crowd at his last campaign rally on Tuesday.

Museveni's statements came a day after running battles between the police and opposition supporters led to the death of one person and leaving several others injured.

The violence was sparked off after the police blocked Kizza Besigye, an opposition presidential candidate from leading a procession through the city center, claiming that it would destabilize activities in the central business district.

As the campaigns for the general elections closed on Tuesday, security in and around the capital has been beefed up.

Kizza Besigye, a leading opposition presidential candidate who has faced off with Museveni on the last three elections, addressed several rallies in the eastern part of the capital.

He assured thousands of his supporters would turn up in big numbers to vote and guard the votes.

Amama Mbabazi, former Prime Minister and Museveni's close confidant for over 40 years closed his campaigns in the central Ugandan district of Wakiso.

Mbabazi, the former NRM Secretary General said he will focus on peaceful transition from Museveni's 30 year rule, education, improving health care systems, restoration of farmer's cooperatives, creation of employment opportunities and seeing Uganda become strong and prosperous if he wins the Thursday elections.

Independent candidates Venansius Byamureeba, Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro, Abed Bwanika, Joseph Mabirizi and Maureen Kyalya, the only female candidate in the contest also held their final rallies in different parts of the country.

The presidential campaigns kicked off in Uganda on Nov. 9 with the candidates traversing different parts of the 112 districts in the country seeking for support and votes.

At least 15.2 million Ugandans will vote in an elections that will see a new leader govern them over the next five years.

Analysts believe that the race is going to between Museveni, Besigye and Mbabazi.

The recent opinion polls have showed Museveni leading his opponents, Besigye coming second and Mbabazi in the third position. Endit