As the clock ticks toward the 2026 general elections, Uganda finds itself once again at the familiar political theatre.
The flags flying, manifestos rebranded with cosmetic urgency and the perennial amnesia of voters settling in like morning fog over the lake. But before we think of spilling the ink on the next ballot, let’s treat this like the end of a school term where Members of parliament must present their performance report cards, not their wallets or generosity tokens.
If a child must present satisfactory grades to proceed to the next class, why should an MP be rewarded with another term after a report card filled with absences, excuses and theatrical debates that amount to zero impact?
Uganda’s 11th parliament was sworn in May 2021, and it boasts of 529 Members of parliament which is the largest in East Africa. But the biggest question is; do we have more legislators or spectators?
Article 79 of the Constitution of Uganda clearly spells out the functions of parliament to wit; legislation, oversight and budget approval. I’m here to make a clarion call that let’s hold our leaders to that. We need to individually ask ourselves; how many private members’ bills has your MP tabled?
What budget debates has your legislator shaped to benefit your community? What committee reports bear their signature or presence? If our answer sounds like “I don’t know,” chances are your MP doesn’t know either.
According to the parliamentary records, by July 2024, the 11th parliament had passed 62 bills, with many lacking public scrutiny and analyses. This shows that a worrying number of legislators are mere seat- fillers and MPs by name, not by contribution.
I can’t imagine that a country whose GDP per capita hovers around $964 according to the World Bank 2023 can surely not afford a bloated parliament whose annual budget exceeds Shs 700bn.
Surprisingly, mostly this is consumed through huge allowances, luxurious vehicles and benchmarking trips that produce little more than selfies and receipts from shopping stores or malls.
If any MP dares to say that, “But the numbers are too many, so I couldn’t perform,” the solution is simple then, let’s go for a surgical reduction of the size! Why pay 500+ MPs if only it is a handful who speak, legislate and hold the Executive accountable?
Our political culture now suffers a chronic addiction to populism and tokenism. Many MPs have successfully repackaged incompetence as generosity, throwing sugar, soap and funeral envelopes at communities in exchange for votes.
A generous person should only lead a community-based organization (CBO) or an NGO to help the needy. She/He’s nice, she/he gave us sugar.” Really? That does not qualify them to legislate complex fiscal policies or interrogate international loan agreements!
To those who vote basing on tokens, you are the political equivalent of rats which feed on poisoned gnuts; momentarily full, eternally doomed. As the bible says in Proverbs 22:7, “The borrower is slave to the lender.”
Every MP you vote for without intellect adds to your slavery in form of debts you didn’t authorize, policies you don’t understand and silence you didn’t anticipate! How can you conclude that a best dancer equally makes a good surgeon? We need competence in parliament, not showbiz!
We expect doctors, engineers, teachers and lawyers to uphold professional standards. Why exempt MPs from the same expectation, especially when they are some of the highest paid public officials?
I want to unapologetically underscore that parliament is for the eloquent. We must know that communication in parliament isn’t a luxury, it’s a requirement. MPs who cannot read, write and argue legislation in English which is the official language of the house, are as helpful as a candle in a windstorm.
If your MP doesn’t speak, doesn’t understand procedure or needs interpreters for every clause, they belong at a seminar, not in a legislative chamber. Yes, numbers matter, but unless one speaks intelligible words with their tongue, how will anyone know what they are saying?” parliament must be a sanctuary for thought, not mediocrity wrapped in loyalty.
It must be a fortress for reasoned debate, people-centered budgeting and laws that defend the voiceless and downtrodden. What is the purpose of having 500 MPs if we still suffer unsafe roads, mismanaged hospitals and borrowed billions to aide projects like ROKO or Lubowa hospital?
If we are to save Uganda from perpetual economic ICU, let us reward ideas, not t-shirts. Therefore in 2026, ask your MP for a report card, not a handshake. Let the next parliament be lean, impactful, and literate.
The time of mascot legislators must end. This time, let wisdom lead the way for both those in government and in the opposition because parliamentary debate demands linguistic precision, conceptual clarity, and procedural mastery, not chants and slogans.
elvisnsonyi@gmail.com
The author is a practitioner in human rights, dialogue, mediation and conflict resolution.
How I wish all Ugandans read this paragraph and understand it, ahead of 2026 general elections! They could select the best competent leaders.
…The time of mascot legislators must end. This time, let wisdom lead the way for both those in government and in the opposition because parliamentary debate demands linguistic precision, conceptual clarity, and procedural mastery, not chants and slogans.
It is a proper perspective from Mr. Elvis Kintu!
For a society driven into the abyss Mr Kintu’s words though right on the money are like the proverbial piss in the wind! Do forgive my French here.
Societies throughout history that changed significantly did so after a revolution. I hear the mantra for next year is ‘ will end corruption ‘ if this, in the words of Prof kanyeihamba MHRIP,doesn’t induce one to vomit, I don’t know what will/does. Some day the nightmare will end( it will, won’t it?)
Hmmm, I like that coinage, “rats that feed on poisoned gnuts; momentarily full, eternally doomed.”
Just about an hour ago, I happened to be in country, passing through Kira, I saw by the road side, as one ascends towards the roundabout to Kira from Najjera, road construction equipment parked by the roadside and kept under close watch by what I saw as 2 UPDF uniformed personnel. Electricity was off at the time of my passing, but lightning from the generators was still sufficient for one to see clearly. In me, was thinking like these guys are smart to employ better security for the equipment, etc. My mother-of-surprises came to life almost immediately when I saw about 2 or 3 guys turn up in an old white Toyota Kibina that I recall was a UAF number plate, they backed up near the graders, got out with jerricans and siphoning tubes, went to the graders and came back in a short while with full fuel, all this under the careful watchful eye of the supposed galant soldiers of the nation who are charged with keeping national interests. One soldier had a dark bandaba on his head with the soldiers actually peeping to see whether anyone comes unannounced while their thieving masters are finishing the deal!!! This is practically broad day theft … I rubbed my eyes to ensure it wasn’t a dream!!!
So, I was thinking, “Soldiers, do you know that you’re cheating your ultimate masters? Do you also know that you’ve acted treasonously on Uganda?” I dared not approach them with my English … You see, the Chinese don’t make loses; Uganda pays … both the allowances for the soldiers on duty as well as the bill for the thefts. Indeed, I also thought of the incidents of those burglars we hear of that use police / army guns to do their heinous crimes and saw that it was very much possible that we’re far far away from anything INTEGRITY! If these soldiers knew that they would face the music for any shortage while on duty and that justice would be served swiftly, I highly doubt they’d even ever have a hint of being like scarecrows – I know disciplinary procedures in the army are quite tough & rough.
Now, consider that, probably this kind of rot is very common amongst both wanainchi and security personnel, would one be really surprised with other organs like these shoddy MP’s?
Of course am not abating the miscarriage, but man we need some drastic actions before we ever sniff any changing tide.