Kampala — THE six presidential candidates for the 2006 general elections yesterday received their official campaign vehicles and Police escorts.

Electoral Commission (EC) Secretary Sam Rwakoojo handed over to each candidate or their representative the deep blue and dark green Pajero after a briefing for all candidates at the EC offices.

They will also receive a facilitation of sh20m and a double cabin pick-up truck for their Police escorts. All are government-registered vehicles, except those given to independent candidates, Nasser Sebaggala and Dr. Abed Bwanika.

Alhaji Moses Kigongo, the NRM vice-chairman and Dorothy Hyuha, the party deputy secretary general, drove away in candidate Yoweri Museveni's vehicle.

FDC vice-president Salaamu Musumba and Pedro Alele received Dr. Kizza Besigye's Pajero. As Musumba took the front seat, she remarked, "We are off to work. We meet on February 23 as number one."

Ssebaana was excited that his vehicle was green, one of the democratic Party colours.

As Dr. Henry Opiot received Miria Obote's (UPC) vehicle, the party's secretary general, Peter Walubiri complained it was neither open-roof nor comfortable.

The candidates, however, complained about limited time for campaigns, saying it favoured the incumbent who, for the past 20 years, traversed the country while parties were in limbo. Elections are due on February 23 and campaigns end at midnight on February 21.

"We have less than 69 days, meaning that each candidate will have to campaign for less than a day in each district," Walubiri said.

He urged the EC to extend elections date to March. EC commissioner Steven Ongaria said all candidates will be treated equally.