Friday, June 03, 2011

Uganda: Irish-born missionary doctor elected first white politician

An Irish-born missionary doctor has been elected as the mayor of one of the districts in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

A successful businessman and owner of Kampala's largest private hospital, which also treats poor patients free of cost, Ian Clarke's victory comes on the slogan of change.

But his promise of building sewers and better facilities for the town's poorest population is already facing stiff resistance from his opponents.

And there is enormous pressure on Uganda's first elected white politician to deliver.

Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb reports.