It is useful to reflect on whether that debate served any function. Did it win any hearts; did any voters change their minds having been won over by a candidate's presentation? Difficult to judge but it is unlikely that any voter could have been persuaded on the night.
So finally President Yoweri Museveni defied all predictions and attended the presidential debate. I can say without any fear of contradiction that Museveni did so in defiance of the advice of everyone in NRM and immediate family. It was an entirely personal decision. But it is Kizza Besigye, more
Voice of America senior editor Shaka Ssali has said he considered a last-minute withdrawal from co-moderating last weekend 's presidential debate after organisers told him he would not question Mr Yoweri Museveni, the ruling NRM party candidate, as a precondition for the latter's participation.
He joked. He complained. But most importantly, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni engaged his rivals for the first time ever in a genuine political debate that was broadcast live to millions of Ugandans.
Unlike the inaugural debate, you felt Mr Museveni's presence in the men and women with walkie talkies with overbearing ammunition, draped in army fatigues, shoving here and there, taking charge of the atmosphere.
Uganda's second round of the presidential debate... in Kampala last Saturday night confirmed various opinion polls' projections: this Thursday's contest is a two-horse race between Mr Yoweri Museveni and Dr Kizza Besigye.
En Ouganda, pour la première fois, le chef de l'Etat, Yoweri Museveni, s'est prêté samedi 13 février au délicat exercice du débat télévisé dans le cadre de la campagne pour l’élection présidentielle du 18 février 2016.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni dismissed as fiction attacks from rivals over allegations of corruption, unemployment and the state of healthcare in a televised debate on Saturday ahead of next week's presidential election.