Uganda party executive backs 4th term for Museveni

The former rebel has won praise for his management of the  economy but has attracted criticism from human rights groups for  corruption and cracking down on the opposition. [ID:nLE656459]

Although the NRM’s presidential candidate is officially  picked by the national delegates’ conference, expected to take  place in mid-2010, the CEC has overarching influence and often  determines who stands on the party’s ticket.

In 2005, Museveni’s government amended Uganda’s 1995  constitution, scrapping a two-term limit on the presidency and  allowing him to stand for re-election until he is 75.

If he runs, Museveni is likely to face off against his  strongest opponent, Kiiza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic  Change party, whom he has beaten twice.

Several opposition parties recently formed an Inter Party  Cooperation initiative under which all opposition parties will  field a joint candidate in the election.

Human Rights Watch said in December impunity for past  electoral violence and abuses in Uganda could mar the 2011 vote  and increase the chances of instability during the election.