Some MPs, to put it bluntly, sleep through their terms, figuratively and sometimes literally, while the people they represent struggle. The result? A country stifled by neglect and broken promises But we cannot keep blaming bad leaders if we keep re-electing them. The change we shout for in rallies and on social media begins, and ends, at the ballot box. And that is where many of us fall into the oldest trap in Uganda’s elections, selling our vote for crumbs.
Uganda is a country blessed beyond measure with fertile land, vibrant culture, and some of the brightest minds in Africa. But blessings squandered are blessings lost, and as we march toward the 2026 general elections, we must face a bitter truth: too often, we have handed the keys of power to those who care more about lining their pockets than serving their people.
Every election cycle, the script is the same. Politicians flood villages and towns, making promises as sweet as honey, then vanishing like morning mist once the votes are counted. In office, many become masters of self-enrichment, building palaces, hoarding wealth, and boasting of shady “deals” while their constituents languish. Ask about scholarships secured, bills tabled, or policies defended in Parliament, and you’ll find the record shamefully thin.
A kilo of sugar. A bar of soap. A folded 10,000-shilling note. These handouts are bait, and every time we bite, we set ourselves up for another five years of broken promises. If you must take it, take it, but do not sell your future for pocket change.
True leadership is measured not by how much a candidate gives away during campaigns, but by the vision they carry, the integrity they live by, and the courage to act when it counts.
The Holy Qur’an says:
“Indeed, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, All Seeing” (Surah An-Nisa 4:59)
Uganda remains a place where great possibilities exist. But possibilities will stay unrealized if we keep recycling the same leaders whose track record is one of self- gain. The 2026 elections offer us a rare opportunity not just to vote, but to change the culture of our politics.
As we approach the election season, we need to respect our differences and remember that voting is just a process, a civic ritual to choose our leaders. Once the ballots are counted and the dust settles, we remain neighbours, colleagues, friends, and fellow citizens. Let us not let tempers boil over or let petty disagreements spiral into bitter conflicts. Too often, trivial matters are blown out of proportion, and worse, some people fan the flames of hatred, inciting violence against those whose political views differ from theirs.
What we saw during the recent NRM primaries tore the mask off just how ugly politics can get. For instance, in Lwemiyaga County, Sembabule District, at least three lives were brutally lost, according to reports from media outlets such as the Daily Monitor.
How long will we let political rivalry eat away at the very fabric of our society, turning friends and neighbors into bitter enemies?
Our beloved master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), taught us that: “The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe…” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). In essence, this calls on us to refrain from harming others, whether through words or deeds in everything we do. As Ahmadi youths, we must set the gold standard, living as beacons of peace, steering clear of violent political rallies, and refusing to pour fuel on the fire of hatred. Let our actions roar louder than our words, proving that principled, nonviolent engagement in politics is not only possible but absolutely essential.
We must recognize that true change and lasting transformation in our country begins with us, the youth. As Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud (ra), the second successor of the
Promised Messiah (as) and Imam of the Age, rightly observed, a nation cannot be reformed without the reformation of its youth. In other words, lasting societal change starts from within.
But also, we must model the values we wish to see reflected in our communities and leaders and this inner reform naturally extends to the democratic process itself. We, as the electorate, must also mature and uphold principles and standards of our own, for a mature electorate is the lifeblood of any healthy democracy. Let us not make ourselves appear so easily swayed to these politicians.
It is time to show them that we have upgraded, that we expect more than mere handouts and demand concrete ideas and solutions. Furthermore, these elections should never be treated as a “do-or-die” affair. Life does not end at the ballot box. We can support our preferred candidates with passion, but always with civility and restraint. Stand firm for your beliefs without losing your humanity, remembering that a mature electorate is the true cornerstone of a thriving democracy.
The author is a Ugandan finance practitioner with a background in banking and financial services and political commentator.
Well, this is fantastic, in other words, 40 years of broken promises have been spent by President M7, should Ugandans still vote for him????