By Francis Ndagije
As the general elections draw near, every voter is faced with a pressing question: will the incoming leaders prioritise serving the public, or remain entangled in self-serving political battles? For decades Ugandan political landscape has been shaped by catchy slogans and colours that often lack meaningful impact.
However, as the demand for service delivery intensifies, voters must begin to ask more difficult but necessary questions: when service delivery fails, does the responsibility lie with the politicians or with the voters who elect them?
In every election cycle, rallies are flooded with slogans, party colours, music, dancing and excitement. But too often, the candidates who dance loudest are the ones who, at times, work the least. Many voters continue to elect leaders not based on merit or proven capacity, but on emotional ties and party slogans. Then, when roads remain in a sorry state, youth remain jobless, and potholes are everywhere, they start to ask: why is nothing changing? The answer is simple: sometimes we vote for noise, not for service.
Leadership is not about how loudly one chants a party slogan. It is about the tangible impact a leader has on the lives of people. It’s time to start asking deeper questions of our candidates: Are your promises backed by a track record of service delivery?
Let us learn to separate political branding from actual performance. A leader wearing your favourite party colour or chanting your favourite party slogan might be the reason why we are living in a polluted city or why roads remain impassable. Voters must rise above party excitement and begin to judge candidates on their track record, competence, and commitment to public service.
Democracy gives power to the people, but with that power comes responsibility. If we continue to vote without thought, we will continue to suffer in silence. It is not enough to say, “all politicians are the same.” They are the same only when we choose not to distinguish them.
In the midst of all this, the truth stands clear: the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has consistently invested in the foundational pillars of development: security, infrastructure, education and health. It has demonstrated a vision that goes beyond elections, building long-term systems to serve the people.
The upcoming elections will not only determine who leads, but also whether you want Uganda to continue progressing or stagnate. Voters must reject blind loyalty and vote for leaders who will serve. The future of service delivery depends on your vote, as the NRM remains the clearest choice with a proven record of national development.
Don’t vote for noise. Vote for service. Vote wisely.
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