VOA English Newscast: 1600 UTC February 17, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News.      I’m Frances Alonzo reporting. Ugandans are preparing to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, after candidates concluded their campaigns Tuesday. Some voters say peace and stability are most important for them, while others want change and a new regime. Lining the streets of Kampala, blue and yellow campaign posters compete for space on billboards, walls, and t-shirts. Blue represents the Forum for Democratic Change party of main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye, while yellow is synonymous with the National Resistance Movement party of incumbent Yoweri Museveni. The two men are the top contenders competing for Uganda’s presidency. The UN's mission chief in Mali paid tribute Wednesday to seven Guinean peacekeepers killed in a jihadist attack on their base last week, including the first woman to die as part of their deployment. The assault on the camp, belonging to the UN force, took place on Friday in the northeastern town of Kidal and was claimed by the Malian Islamist group Ansar Dine. Seven bodies draped with the UN flag were displayed during the tribute, awaiting repatriation to Guinea Wednesday. Niger needs millions of doses of meningitis vaccines to ward off a possible epidemic after a spike that has seen dozens of cases reported since January, according to the United Nations Wednesday. "The (Nigerian) health authorities estimate that they need 3.2 million vaccination doses in case of a meningitis epidemic." That came from the local branch of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Adding to existing reserves, the additional doses would allow officials to immunize 2.8 million people. VOA News. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This New concluded – v. stopped or finished stability – n. the quality of something that is not easily changed regime – n. a form of government poster – n. a sign, usually hung in a public place billboard – n. a large sign for advertisements t-shirt – n. clothing that is worn over chest, has short sleeves and is usually made of cotton synonymous – adj. having the same meaning incumbent – n. someone who holds an office or position contenders – n. a person who has a good chance of winning something mission – n. a job that someone is given to do; a military or naval operation pay tribute – v. to honor and praise jihadist – adj. of or related to Muslims who actively support action against non-believers assault – n. attack draped – v. covered displayed – v. shown in public repatriation – v. returning to one’s own country dose – n. the amount of medicine that is taken at one time ward off – v. to avoid being hit by something epidemic – n. an event in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects many people spike – n. a sudden rise or jump dozens – n. large numbers of people or things according – v. as stated by or in authorities – n. officials branch – n. a local office of a company or organization reserves – n. supplies of something that is stored allow – v. to permit immunize – v. to give a vaccine to prevent infection by disease

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