Saturday, May 24, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
Your browser does not support the video tag.
ADVERTISEMENT

DAVID MAFABI: Opposition must wake up to save the free falling Uganda

by UG STANDARD EDITOR | UG STANDARD EDITORIAL
03/10/2023
in OpED
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
David Mafabi, a veteran journalist (PHOTO/Courtesy)
David Mafabi, a veteran journalist (PHOTO/Courtesy)

Uganda seems to be on a Free Fall, government has failed to help and the opposition parties have radically different ideas, interests about how to save it.

The politics that has evolved since NRM came to power has instead divided the country, denied Ugandans the opportunity to engage in constructive debate or even create room for the emergence of new players to guide the process.

Related posts

The accused person (standing) in court on Tuesday as they read for him the charges. Courtesy photo

Former Lira district Councilor remanded over charges of Conspiracy to defraud

20/05/2025
167
Amb. Milton Kambula, President Global Peace Foundation (GPF)

2026 Elections: Amb. Kambula urges Ugandans to Desistfrom Political, Tribal Divisions

20/05/2025
165
Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija being welcomed by Acting Chief Registrar, Pamella Lamunu and Judiciary Public Relations Officer, Eremye Mawanda on Thursday.

Judiciary extends service closer to people on Buvuma Court open day

18/05/2025
169
The acused in dock on Friday. (Courtesy photo)

Advocate charged and remanded over Forgery

17/05/2025
270

No one has an obviously good answer for how to arrest Uganda’s downward trajectory because Uganda’s established politicians are either incapable of or uninterested in undertaking the reforms necessary for economic rescue.

And yet these same politicians remain solidly in control of the country, having withstood the challenge of opposition for decades.

How to save this country comes down to a few key questions: Can Uganda’s politicians be induced to do what’s necessary for the country, even at the expense of their parochial interests? Or, can Uganda politics produce some new national leadership adequate to the country’s existential crisis?

In the recent index, Uganda was ranked 151st, slightly ahead of collapsed states and devastated economies like Burundi and South Sudan. Among the most corrupt offices that Ugandans have highlighted are the police and courts of law.

Ugandans are now faced by the threat of economic collapse, court orders are disobeyed, land grabbing is at its peak, corruption is everywhere yet the NRM government continues to give the country’s progress a clean bill of health.

With only about three years to the general election [2026], the main opposition parties in parliament apparently are unable to hold the government to account, they are is total disarray, fighting for “dirty Money”, the current trend is worrying.

This country has witnessed so much evil but unfortunately, majority citizens, including the opposition leaders, end up lamenting and directing blame to other quarters but doing nothing about them.

And yet the country has representatives who are expected to interrogate issues because that is their responsibility.

Those in ruling NRM party system are busy approaching the opposition with promises and gifts but the result of all that is the death of the party and the oblivion of its leaders.

Across the devoid there seems to be an accepted way that opposition leaders are looking for ways of getting money “dirty money” from the ruling NRM government and opposition figures seem to have given President Museveni a carte blanche to do as he pleases without any challenge.

True NRM has been unambiguously authoritarian and procedurally democratic but, in practice, seemingly impervious to accountability, reform, and change but who has come out to challenge this?

There seems to be political calm, opposition figures and activists seem to have accepted the NRM as the only party that can be in power instead of launching a fresh systematic challenge to President Yoweri Museveni’s seventh term.

Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] an opposition party in parliament maintains that their goal is getting from a Ugandan society that is divided and controlled by political-sectarian NRM elites to a single Ugandan people under a civil government—this objective is largely shared across opposition groups.

The opposition groups are not necessarily poised to assume power or representative of the Ugandan citizens broadly because the country’s regime seems resilient.

I want to state that those in government must wake up to the fact that government responsibility is enormous and requires concerted efforts from all quarters to contribute ideas and combined actions in order to serve society and build for posterity.

In this case, the opposition becomes crucial in that endeavor as the parliament is representative court of the people.

But take it leave it, one of the most serious and disturbing weaknesses in our political process today is lack of an institutionalised and focused opposition group that can take on the government over its excesses.

Opposition party politics have mostly reverted to familiar tropes: partisan attempts to gain relative advantage, political media gossip, and speculation about great-power intrigue “plus dirty money” from the NRM government.

Even when the opposition parties have been vocal in criticising the government, they have done this in a sporadic and inconsistent manner that has not helped in changing the situation.

The Opposition has not presented itself as a government in waiting by offering policy alternatives but has merely been criticizing the ruling government on democracy, rule of law and corruption.

I want to remind opposition that the success of democracy rests in large part on both the opposition and the government and in order for democracy to operate successfully, ruling government should recognise it as legitimate and give it an institutional form.

For Uganda, I want to blame opposition groups, for the “complexity of crises at various levels” in our country, please as Ugandan citizens, we deserve better.

After 35 years of the country’s ‘mismanagement ‘and years of corruption plus amassing of wealth, roughly 60 percent of eligible voters in Uganda reelected incumbent President Mr Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of NRM  with a majority government.

So what went wrong? It’s easier to ask what went right, because the answer is nothing, unless you are President Museveni and in that case, the answer is terrible, opposition parties spend the time fighting one another for second place and criticising president Museveni without providing alternatives.

It is true partly that the political system in Uganda is paralyzed by the manipulation of the electoral process by NRM ruling party and citizens are usually unable to freely exercise basic civil liberties, and corruption is endemic.

And that physical security is tenuous due to violence and human rights abuses committed by government forces but shall we keep crying about this without offering solutions?

This moment requires a step-change in strategy and support and without such momentum, the country faces a democratic setback potentially as serious as the ones already occurring across other African countries.

The ruling government must understand that it has three arms – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, likewise,  Parliament has two sides: the ruling and the opposition (majority and minority parties).

This makes the opposition a crucial part of an arm of government and that is the reason why decrees in a democracy cannot work and benefit society without consultations between the two sides.

Unfortunately, the citizens’ observations on consultation between the ruling party and opposition in Parliament are that they are skewed towards personal and individual interests.

I want to suggest that the Opposition and civil society should work closely to transform this country into what we want it to be and history offers them vital lessons.

Opposition must act now, at scale, with strategy and build a broad-based, multistranded, prodemocracy movement around a positive vision concretized in locally rooted action and strengthen accountability to reset norms on what behavior is legal and acceptable if our nation is to benefit.

The Opposition and civil society must now change tack on how they engage the government because in the past about 37 years they have not given us desired results.

Every institution seems compromised

In Uganda today; the key institutions created by the Constitution to allow seamless governance are not working as they should.

The Parliament’s oversight role has been compromised, as have the roles of the Executive and the Judiciary to the level that President Museveni stands out alone as a president, prime minister, speaker, Ministers and other government technocrats.

Religious leaders are no longer seen as neutral players who work closely to rescue the country from collapse but are willing to work with government as long as they are given vehicles and money for their programmes.

It is clear that the country lacks strong charismatic leaders to chart this debate because the entire country has not been given a chance to determine their leaders to progressively bring Uganda to where it is supposed to be.

For the sake of this country Uganda, government and opposition players must reform themselves, opposition should put their houses to order and democratise, to allow new players with fresh ideas.

A strong Opposition can force the government to listen and think of the possibility that the 2026 elections might not be a sure win and this might allow issue-based politics to thrive in  Uganda and prevent voter apathy.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: Bobi WineFeaturedNUP

Related Posts

The write, Hellen Masika is a Community Mobilizer at Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)
OpED

 HELLEM MASIKA: The Impact of Climate Change on Healthcare in Uganda, Challenges and Pathways to Resilience

by UG STANDARD EDITOR | UG STANDARD EDITORIAL
10/10/2024
0
250

The write, Hellen Masika is a Community Mobilizer at Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) Climate change is...

Read moreDetails
The writer, Emma Bwayo is Young Politician, Journalist, and Law Student (PHOTO/Courtesy)

#UGAT62: The Youth Perspective and President Museveni’s Role in Shaping the Future

08/10/2024
335
President Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba (PHOTO/Courtesy)

2026 CRISIS: Is it Gen Museveni or his son Gen Muhoozi

11/03/2023
221
Hellen Masika, Community Mobilizer at CECIC, empowering communities for environmental conservation.

A Brewing Crisis: Climate Change and Uganda’s Coffee Industry 

18/09/2024
185
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4302 shares
    Share 1721 Tweet 1076
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2592 shares
    Share 1037 Tweet 648
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3318 shares
    Share 1346 Tweet 822
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1776 shares
    Share 710 Tweet 444
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1647 shares
    Share 659 Tweet 412
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2795 shares
    Share 1149 Tweet 686
  • UNEB agrees to adjust examinations timetables to accommodate lost time

    2660 shares
    Share 1086 Tweet 656

Recent Articles

Gen. Salim Saleh, a key presidential advisor, meets with European Union officials, including Ambassador Jan Sadek in Gulu, Uganda, calling for a "political ceasefire" and inter-party dialogue ahead of the 2026 general election.

Former ESO chief David Pulkol explains why he silenced Mwenda after Muhoozi threats, torture claims

23/05/2025
Uganda's Constitutional Court delivers landmark ruling, denying Leadership Code Tribunal members judicial privileges

HRNJ-Uganda Supported Journalist Wins 5-Year Legal Battle Against Brutal Ex-Lira Mayor

23/05/2025
D/ASP Charles Twine (in army green jacket) with Noah Mutwe arriving at Buganda Road court on Thursday.

TREASON? Ex-CID Boss Busted for Threatening Museveni, Muhoozi!

23/05/2025
Gen. Salim Saleh, a key presidential advisor, meets with European Union officials, including Ambassador Jan Sadek in Gulu, Uganda, calling for a "political ceasefire" and inter-party dialogue ahead of the 2026 general election.

Gen. Saleh addresses EU concerns over CDF Muhoozi’s tweets

23/05/2025
Uganda's Education Ministry has issued strict new guidelines banning extravagant school parties, luxury transport, and lavish election campaigns. The move aims to restore discipline and curb excessive displays of wealth, with headteachers facing disciplinary action for non-compliance.

Education ministry bans cars, couples, choppers and lavish parties in schools

23/05/2025

aBi Finance, UIBFS Equip Lenders for Climate Challenges

23/05/2025
Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, are one of the wildlife attractions unique to Uganda and a few other countries on the African continent. With proper investment in marketing the destination

UK travel advisories hurt Uganda park tourism

23/05/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • Parliamentary Committee Grills Local Government Over PDM Funds, Accountability – Press Uganda on Parliamentary committee grills local government over PDM funds, accountability
  • Uganda Faces Billions In Tax Losses From Thriving Illicit Alcohol Trade – Press Uganda on Uganda Faces Billions in Tax Losses from Thriving Illicit Alcohol Trade
  • CAUGHT RED-HANDED?! Top Kampala Lawyer-Lender Faces Claims Of Courtroom Manipulation And “Phantom Documents”! – Press Uganda on CAUGHT RED-HANDED?! Top Kampala Lawyer-Lender Faces Claims of Courtroom Manipulation and “Phantom Documents”!
  • Centenary Bank Boss: Startups Should Leverage TikTok For Growth – Press Uganda on Centenary Bank boss: Startups Should Leverage TikTok for Growth
  • 3 Dead, 9 Injured In Mukono Highway Crash – Press Uganda on 3 Dead, 9 Injured in Mukono Highway Crash
UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • Former ESO chief David Pulkol explains why he silenced Mwenda after Muhoozi threats, torture claims
  • HRNJ-Uganda Supported Journalist Wins 5-Year Legal Battle Against Brutal Ex-Lira Mayor
  • TREASON? Ex-CID Boss Busted for Threatening Museveni, Muhoozi!
  • Gen. Saleh addresses EU concerns over CDF Muhoozi’s tweets
  • Education ministry bans cars, couples, choppers and lavish parties in schools
  • aBi Finance, UIBFS Equip Lenders for Climate Challenges

OpED

Understanding Air Expansion and Its Impact in Kasese District, Western Uganda

The Empire, the Spectacle, and the Soft Coup in South Africa

Inside South Africa’s Retail Shake-Up

Afrikaners for the U.S. as Refugees?

In Memoriam: Rajiv Ruparelia – A Legacy of Vision and Heart

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d