NRM’s CEC Elections Expose Uganda’s Politics as a Money-Making Scheme
The recent whispers surrounding the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections have once again ignited debate over Uganda’s political culture. A common refrain now gaining traction is that “leadership in Uganda is more of a business, not a service.” This assertion captures the frustration of many citizens who increasingly view politics as a transactional enterprise rather than a platform for public service. Allegations of delegates being ferried across borders and showered with cash during internal party contests highlight how money has come to dominate Uganda’s political space. In principle, leadership is meant to be about service: solving citizens’ problems, uplifting communities, and steering national development. Yet in practice, elections at every level—from local councils to the national stage—have become arenas where financial muscle often outweighs merit. The question voters quietly ask is no longer “who has the best ideas?” but rather “who can spend the m...
