Museveni 'buys' votes

Kampala - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is facing criticism from anti-corruption activists for donating a sack loaded with $100 000 in cash at a political rally, the latest gift from a president now widely seen as laying the groundwork for the next election.

Museveni, who been in power since 1986, gave the money to a group of youths in eastern Uganda, where he struggles to win votes in national elections.

Museveni is known to give sealed envelopes to supporters at rallies, but the sack of cash has hit a raw nerve among critics who say he is buying support.

Frank Tumwebaze, a government minister for presidential affairs, said the president was just being generous.