On September 5, 2023, President Yoweri Museveni addressed the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearers and chairpersons from the five divisions of Kampala, urging them to abandon the use of money in politics.
Speaking at the Kololo ceremonial grounds, Museveni labeled the practice as a “colossal mistake,” counterproductive and unnecessary. He went further to advise that, “It will be good if the people listen to what these leaders are proposing and elect them. If they are not elected, they should move on, do other activities, and remain financially stable.”
Museveni is no newcomer to Ugandan politics. Having been involved for over six decades, he stated that he has never resorted to selling his cows to fund elections. Museveni argues that politics should be about “diagnosis and prescription,” emphasizing the importance of understanding societal problems and proposing effective solutions.
This perspective seems rooted in the belief that the crux of politics lies in the value of ideas, not the depth of one’s pockets.
PROFOUND SHIFT
The president’s comments signify a profound shift away from transactional politics towards a more policy-driven approach. Museveni’s call comes at a crucial time when Uganda faces complex challenges such as economic inequality, corruption and sectarianism.
By asking leaders to “promote government programs and politics of unity among Ugandans,” he underlines the importance of developing a common market for goods, thereby creating economic opportunities for all.
It’s essential to unpack the implications of Museveni’s assertions regarding the role of money in Ugandan politics. The use of money—often deployed to buy votes, influence or intimidate—has long been a contentious issue, undermining democratic processes and rendering elections more of a market transaction than an exercise in civic duty.
This creates a vicious cycle where politicians who spend heavily to win elections may seek to recoup their investments through corrupt means once in office, thereby perpetuating a system that favors the wealthy and perpetuates inequality.
According to a report by the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), an astronomical amount of Shs 2.4 trillion was spent during Uganda’s 2016 elections. The spending didn’t stop there; it reportedly increased in the 2021 elections, raising concerns about the influence of money on democratic processes.
President Yoweri Museveni reportedly spent Shs 773 billion to secure his fifth term in office. In the same race, Amama Mbabazi, the former prime minister, expended Shs 66 billion, and Dr Kizza Besigye is estimated to have used Shs 15 billion. Prof Venansious Baryamureeba reportedly spent Shs 1.5 billion, among other expenditures. The numbers provide a revealing look at the cost of seeking political power in Uganda, making it a high-stakes game limited to those with substantial financial resources.
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