An opinion poll conducted by Research World International has put president Yoweri Museveni in the lead with 51%.
Opposition Forum Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye trails at 32%, while independent candidate Amama Mbabazi stands at 12%.
Dr. Abed Bwanika and Gen. Benon Biraaro follow with each having 1% of the vote.
The research was conducted between December 15th and 5th January in 89 districts mainly in up country areas.
The research covered over 2,600 registered voters with 51% of interviewees female and 41 % male.
The areas covered were mainly rural with low income earners and low education.
According to the research 49% of people do not need change, while 46% want change of the country’s leadership.
The executive Director Research World International Dr. Patrick Wakida says the quest for a peaceful transition remains critical with many people not sure if this can actually happen.
Now here is a comparison of this latest poll and the first one conducted by Research World in August 2015, before the candidates were officially nominated to contest for the presidency.
At that time, 55% of the respondents said they would vote President Museveni, 17% would vote Besigye and 13% would vote Amama Mbabazi.
If we are to compare and interpret the two separate findings, it then means that despite remaining in the lead, President Museveni has lost by 4%, Besigye has gained by 15%, while Mbabazi has lost by 1% in a period of about six months.
Story By Samuel Ssebuliba