Life after election in Uganda

Life after election in Uganda, free voting procedures, peace, human rights, 


Joseph Mukiibi                                      

Uganda is going into a General Election, which is a formal group decision-making process, by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office.


 Substantially, Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.’’  

Elections are thus a vital part of a democratic process, consolidation and public administration. Uganda as a country and State, is to hold, experience and celebrate General Elections from January 11 to February 3. 

The resolve to turn up and vote is patriotism in practice! The results declared henceforth shall either be in approval or disapproval of the different political contestants, but remember after this experience, there is life after elections! 

Now, fellow Ugandans, the most current and intriguing question many a time is “after the General Election what next? This question ignites and invokes the essence of true living on individual, community and national level! Genuine living in an economy, means confronting and adapting the self to the reality of environment and situation at hand. 

Public sentiments are likely to intensify after declaration of results by the Electoral Commission amid individual and parties’ expectations and preferences! Positive public sentiments share high covariance with future economic development compared to negative public sentiments, which degenerate into anomalies and political dissent.

Possible disagreements voiced should not be a recipe for future growth and development of Uganda. Political intolerance and infringements on civil and political rights should be handled with due diligence and equitable justice in reference to constitutional amendments and new electoral reforms.
The focus of election is good governance.

 The goals of good governance include provision of legitimate and responsive policies, establishment of understandable processes and outcomes with the citizenry, responsibility of government to the public with clear lines of responsibility and accountability, transparency of government operations inclusive of openness, participation and scrutiny from the public.

 These are summarised by the beautiful motto of Uganda: For God and My Country.’’

Politics in Africa of which Uganda is part, is first about life and death as reflected in the recent campaigns! Second, it is the commercialisation of electoral processes.

 These two may dwindle the economy of Uganda in terms defiance and retaliation, service of huge loans in the guise of good governance and democracy. 

This is a subjective representation of genuine elections to objective truth
The common good(all), therefore, is the civil priority and this needs constant sensitisation of all those elected in political offices.

 The time is now to reconsider injecting hygiene in Uganda’s practical political leadership and re-enaction on what democracy entails.

 In anticipation and reflection of discontent of election results by candidates, a fair and public hearing guided by justice be executed by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by the law.

 Another particular concern also related to election-related claims, is the need for all concerns to be processed in a timely manner in order to be satisfactory to political some contenders and actors. This is fairness of hearing and justice celebrated. 

Uganda’s practical  recommendations should revolve around eliminating vincible setbacks through dialogue and reconciliation of political actors, especially political parties, enhanced spirituality and patriotism with the objective reality of viewing beyond the visible reality. 


Others are the focus of citizenry on common good versus individualism (egoism), the role of national independence and civilisation re-explained to Ugandans through institutions, the notion of institutional democracy and development goals of Uganda re-enacted, the objective role of Army and police substantiated to the government and populace.

 Also there is need for critical analysis by government for the existing public moral and political indignation. There is life after the general election.

Fr Mukiibi is a priest based in Kansanga-Kampala. [email protected]