Uganda elections as seen through effigies

In addition to the posters that are pasted on walls of shops and kiosks, and hung on electricity poles, party supporters in Kampala and other cities across uganda have chosen to show their allegiance to different candidates in the ongoing election season using roughly made statues.

The statues – commonly known as effigies – are usually placed at a boda boda stage and in road junctions.

Incumbent Museveni at a Butabika junction

At Butabika stage in Kampala, an effigy of President Museveni wears boots and a fatigue jacket, in keeping with his usual military-influenced fashion sensibilities.

The most popular opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye, has the most effigies in the area. He is usually dressed in a suit and tie. A commercial motorcycle cyclist (boda boda) says they sometimes take the effigies to rallies with them, and wash the clothes when they get dirty from the dust.

Besigye, in Kinawataka, with a soda, water and fruit placed before him. Attached to the chest area is a photoshopped image with the EC Chairperson holding Besigye’s hand up in victory.

Supporters are as loyal to party colors as possible; in Mbabara, western Uganda, Besigye is served with a blue flask. Blue is associated with Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, while yellow is the party color for the leading National Resistance Movement (NRM).

All this love from Mbarara for FDC? I also want a man who showers me with love like these #Besigye supporters.✌🏿️ pic.twitter.com/1YtcUZU3vr

— Lioness aka Mama Afrika (@Hirolla256) February 2, 2016

Other places simply have little stations, very similar to shrines.

Museveni’s on Kisugu-Muwayire road, spotting a yellow chair.

Besigye’s at the Ebenezer stage in Kisugu. He is said to have stopped and sat in chair during his campaign.

Even if eight people are running for the top office, it only appears that these two have inspired the most creativity in the city areas. Some of the effigies are conciliatory: one, originally shared by BBC, show president Museveni and bitter rival Besigye holding hands.

The authorities seem not to share in the fun and creative spirit of the effigies, however. The Inspector General of Police on Friday said he had orders from the the chairman of the Electoral Commission to remove them.