Unclear Leadership Criteria Leaves Voters Uncertain About Their Choices – Report

Civil society organizations have revealed that many Ugandans, especially in rural areas, are unaware of the purpose of voting or who they are voting for. Speaking at the launch of the report titled Reviewing the Form and Substance of the 2021 Elections by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Center and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung at Makerere University, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, the Executive Director, stated that a large portion of Ugandans, particularly in villages, do not understand the significance of voting.

This ignorance has made them vulnerable to voter bribery, as politicians distribute soap, salt, and sugar, manipulating the belief that voters must choose a candidate in exchange for these gifts, Dr. Muwanga explained. She also highlighted that the criteria for selecting leaders and understanding who should lead and why are not clear to many Ugandans. Dr. Muwanga emphasized the need for continuous civic education, stressing that Ugandans must understand their rights, the importance of voting, and the electoral process itself. 

She further pointed out that the 2021 general elections revealed that young people tend to shift their political allegiances based on various factors, not just money or location. She called for research to determine what drives young people to change their political loyalties. "The electoral process must be more transparent," Dr. Muwanga stated. 

“It is not just about having an independent electoral commission; it’s about people understanding and believing that the electoral commission is independent.” During the launch of the report, she also noted that social media, while predominantly used by young people, could be a powerful tool to mobilize votes and positively engage youth.

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Professor Sabiti Makara emphasized that Parliament is responsible for ensuring good governance and improving elections in 2026 by implementing long-proposed electoral reforms. Among the proposed reforms is restructuring the electoral commission. Currently, its composition is determined by the president, raising concerns about impartiality. Many believe the president appoints close allies and political cadres, undermining the commission’s credibility.

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Another reform being called for is greater transparency in vote counting and tallying. Professor Makara suggested returning to the 1996 system under the Stephen Akabwai Commission, where votes were counted and reported directly from each constituency, instead of aggregating votes into a block without clear origins. Additionally, he called for strict limitations on money in elections, arguing that excessive financial influence distorts voting trends.

He urged the government to be vigilant about campaign financing to prevent the misuse of funds by candidates. The report also highlights a decline in voter turnout. Professor Makara noted that in each election cycle, the number of people casting their votes fails to match the registered voter count. He attributed this to growing voter disenfranchisement, as many Ugandans feel disillusioned by an electoral process that lacks transparency. 

Justice Minister Norbert Mao acknowledged that the report serves as a reality check for the government, questioning whether the electoral commission is genuinely in control of elections. The report exposes significant interference by state actors, including electoral violence, polling station raids, and a lack of penalties for electoral violations such as ballot stuffing and bribery. "This report is an indictment of Uganda’s electoral process," Mao said. "While the constitution grants power to the people through free, fair, and credible elections, the report reveals serious flaws that need urgent correction."

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Regarding electoral reforms, Mao emphasized the importance of making electronic voting compulsory. He noted that an electronic voting bill is currently under discussion in the cabinet, while other reforms may take longer to implement.

As Justice Minister, Mao affirmed his duty to present electoral reform proposals to the cabinet, including changes such as adopting proportional representation, reducing the size of Parliament, and reintroducing presidential term limits. These proposals will eventually be submitted to Parliament for consideration.

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