By Etesot Gabriel
During the 2017 national address, the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, informed Ugandans that the opposition in Uganda will be no more by 2025. The President had foreseen what would happen to the opposition, but some elements in the opposition and civil society rubbished it.
However, today, there are several indicators that show the opposition is rapidly diminishing in strength, influence, and inspirational control. Here are some indicators:
Poor Democracy; The lack of democratic dispensation in opposition parties — they speak of democracy, but lack the stamina to practice what they talk. There is limited involvement of the public in the affairs of these parties. The FDC, UPC, NUP & DP in many sub-regions often appoint office bearers; the rest of the political parties exist by name and registration, just gambling.
Even in the capital, Kampala, where they are situated, they are not felt and will never be. The new ones being formed, like the Democratic Front, PFF, Ecological Party, and many others, have died on arrival. For any political party to survive, it must embrace democratic practices like NRM does. NRM has a bright future because there is great participation of its members right from the village level, making the party strong.
Lack of Structure; Structures make parties visible and strong. All these opposition parties do not have structures, cannot field candidates for elections even at the level of LC1, and have no offices to represent them. They lack structures and cannot win the next election.
Another opposition cadre in the making stated that President Museveni is going to sweep his way to power in an easy way for the 2026 elections. He based his argument on better organization of the NRM Party, having structures across the country. Vividly, NRM is felt everywhere, colouring the country yellow, yellow.
Limited Support; Most of these opposition parties have no potential power to attract support from citizens because of lack of ideology and vision. The only reason they have is to chant “Museveni must go” — no clear ideas. That is why FDC is disintegrating. They delve on “remove Museveni” without giving clear vision and direction. In the next election, FDC may not reach 4 MPs. The opposition does not appeal to the public. The leadership is greedy, self-centered, without having interest to attract the public.
Lack of Accountability & Transparency; Opposition parties should exercise transparency. The Government of Uganda, through the Electoral Commission, supports political parties with membership in Parliament with funds. The funds are hurriedly eaten and squandered by their leaders.
And yet, this money is meant to help them run party activities effectively by forming structures, offices, and meeting administrative costs. The opposition cannot account to the public of Uganda on their action. Some of them incite violence, hate speeches, and a paradise of lies to try to get support.
Fortunately, the Ugandan population is now informed and educated today by the NRM government under H.E Museveni to resist lies and empty leadership. The funds NRM received are seen in the structures and its practices of democracy within the party.
Politics of Hire; The politics of survival, cutting deals — oppositions in Uganda are full of leaders for “hire.” They perpetuate their own interests. The masses are used as a ladder/stepping stone to achieve individual interest. Politics to them is a means and a meal card of survival; i.e., in Parliament, where issues are discussed, most often these leaders walk away, denying the public the opportunity to offer alternative ideas. They have high appetite for public funds than effective representation.
Politics of hire has become poisonous and is finishing opposition leaders politically, exposing their wickedness and hypocrisy of Pharisees.
Sectarianism; President Museveni and the NRM government opened terror against this vice that had eaten Uganda for long — the politics of identity rather than ideology, emphasizing peace, unity, and brotherhood. However, some opposition parties preach and promote ethnicity.
NUP, for example, is seen as a Buganda party; its leadership is dominated by Buganda. UPC is dominated by Lango. FDC tried in Teso and Kasese, but it was immediately rejected and taproots uprooted and destroyed by NRM mobilisers because of the ideological bankruptcy and selfishness of its leaders. Sectarianism is a poison that will kill opposition parties.
President Yoweri Museveni’s prophecy has been fulfilled. Opposition parties cannot dialogue to give an alternative agenda, divided to the core; wolves among the sheep. The interests of the public are secondary; politics is a business to amass wealth easily. Few of them mind about Uganda.
Some locals believe opposition in Uganda can sell the country for money, as money has become the motivating factor for their existence, as seen by the breakaway (i.e., PFF from FDC). Above all, the very corrupt Democratic Front from NUP, the means justifies the end.
The writer is Deputy RDC – Amudat District
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