Voters should hold feet of politicians to the fire

The voters’ guiding light should be a clear articulation of how the common man can benefit from

Just under eight months are left before Uganda goes to the polls to elect its political leaders, including the president. Unsurprisingly, a ratcheting up of pressure, partly reflective of electioneering, has taken centre stage. Consequently, internal wrangles brought to bear on the structures of political parties—both in the ruling NRM party and its arch-rivals in the Opposition like NUP and FDC—have stuck out like a metaphorical sore thumb. Pared to their most elemental dimensions of knowledge and power, the NRM's recent grassroots elections were devoid of one attribute that has come to define a mature democratic polity—tolerance. Accordingly, the contestation for power in what have come to be known as election hotspots bore a striking resemblance with the sight of a kid throwing their toys out of a pram. Matching the above mentioned impish mannerisms in both deeds and thought, days have not passed easily for the Opposition.

The continued fallout between Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, the NUP principal, and his erstwhile deputy president, Mathias Mpuuga, has carried with it a similar shock value. But more than underpinning an 'enemy within' storyline, the rift—much like the fissures in the ruling NRM party—underscores the extent to which interests of the common man have been supplanted by what is essentially a turf war. What has ensued is a win-at-all-costs approach. We are alive to the dire consequences of assuming such a posture. We know for one that, and excuse the cliche, when two elephants fight, the grass bears the brunt of the duel. Instead of perpetuating and weaponising their supposed victimhood, political leaders from the Opposition should spare no effort to demand accountability on unmet service delivery promises.

Those in the ruling party's tent should do everything humanly possible to make sure promises made are fulfilled. It is, however, disheartening that what should be a straightforward dynamic has instead been turned into the most complex of jigsaw puzzles. Even more disheartening is the role that those at the periphery (i.e. the voters) continue to play. They are complicit in a vexingly confrontational brand of politics that only serves to line the pockets of their leaders, if they can be called that. We strongly believe the reset button can only be successfully pressed if voters choose to be stronger than ever in their conviction that critical steps have to be taken. A good starting point would be disabusing themselves of playing any part in the now familiar confrontational brand of politics.

The voters’ guiding light should be a clear articulation of how the common man can benefit from ideas being proffered. The stories of victimhood that politicians have time and again used to compel voters to offer support must be treated with the contempt they so deserve. It is only when such a line is drawn in the sand that the sea change many voters crave can be realised. We know that this change—in all its radicalness—cannot happen overnight. But, then again, we find refuge in yet another cliche—a journey of a thousand miles begins with a singular step. May we take that step sooner rather than later.