Academicians, politicians and civil society gathered at the School of Public Health Sciences (MakSPH) auditorium, Makerere University on February 5, 2025 to attend the launch of a publication titled, Reviewing the Form and Substance of the 2021 Elections.
Published by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Uganda and South Sudan) and Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), the book comprises eight solid articles written by academicians, policymakers and civil society actors.
It addresses wide-ranging issues in Uganda’s democratic journey, such as the importance and efficacy of political parties, including assessment of their ideologies, internal conflicts, recruitment strategies and organizational structures.
The contributors are Prof Sabiti Makara, Prof Julius Kiiza, Dr Ann Mugunga, Prof Sarah Ssali, Eshban Kwesiga, Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, Irene Ikomu and Dr Badru Bukenya.
The result of a year-long research process, the book also tackles issues of monetization of elections; increased usage of social media in electoral campaigns, reporting and analysis; formation and shifting of identities in elections and political arena; youth dynamics in elections, and an analysis of the “Museveni doctrine” which portrays Museveni as a rare thinker and liberator who sacrificed so much that he deserves permanent reward and pampering.
From different perspectives, the authors assess the campaigns and elections carried out under a global health crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, heavy military presence, violence, internet shutdown and tough measures against civil society.
The book also provides insights into voter behaviour, internal party structures and principles, the Electoral Commission and the need for reforms, offering lessons that are critical for strengthening Uganda’s democratic institutions and culture.
It notes that the need to enforce strict Covid-19 containment health measures – such as restrictions on movement, assembly and association – was abused by selective implementation that favoured the campaigns of the ruling party, leading to constrained political space and doubts about the integrity and inclusiveness of the elections.
Anna Reismann, country representative of KAS Uganda and South Sudan, said the book adds to the body of knowledge on Ugandan elections, discussing their uniqueness and offering comparative analysis with other countries. It is also a summation of experiences and lessons learnt to benefit the future.
Suzie Muwanga, the executive director of JNLC, said she was confident the book would be a catalyst for wider dialogue and action, and not merely a piece of academic work.
MAO INSPIRES YOUTH
Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Norbert Mao was both the keynote speaker and chief guest. To inspire the youth to be resilient and hopeful, he delved into his interesting and daring political history, to which he declared, “I still consider myself a revolutionary regardless of what some people may say”.
He noted that Uganda’s electoral history has been marked by chaos and political uncertainty, such that without addressing the recurring challenges of electoral violence, state interference and lack of transparency, democratic progress will remain elusive.
Mao identified the key problems of Uganda’s elections as the political culture of winner-takes-all and the lack of impartial enforcement of law that impede free and fair elections.
“While we lament the severe shortcomings in our elections, we believe that we need to reassert our culture of consensual and proportional democracy to replace the winner-takes-all politics. That way, we maintain national unity, compete in elections and also check the power of government,” Mao said.
Lots of political and university hot air. Every citizen of this independent country knows very well what democracy is all about. The major problem is the lecturing incessantly about universal democracy to the people who have elected them as if these voters themselves are very ignorant about such a common and ancient process of electing leaders!