20/01/2026
*After the Ballots Settle: Lessons from Uganda’s Heated Presidential Race*
As the dust slowly settles following the declaration of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni by the Independent Electoral Commission, Uganda’s political landscape is once again entering a moment of reflection. The tension that once dominated streets, social media, and political talk shows is calming, leaving behind important lessons from a fiercely contested presidential election process.
One striking lesson emerging from the just-concluded polls is the visible contrast between strong and weak political party structures. A clear warning sign of a fragile political party is when it begins to part ways with its intellectuals, strategists, and founding members. Even more telling is when a presidential candidate openly decampaigns his or her own party founders or senior colleagues. Such internal fractures not only weaken party cohesion but also erode public confidence.
Strong political leadership, on the other hand, is defined by the ability to manage internal disagreements and mend wounded pockets within the party. President Museveni’s long-standing political survival offers a practical case study. Rather than permanently alienating rivals, he has historically sought to keep his strongest opponents close — and where possible, persuaded them to cross over to his side.
This strategy is not new. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, President Museveni successfully converted several high-profile opponents into allies. Figures such as the late Haji Nasser Sebaggala, following the popular “Hajja Alagidde” pressure slogan, former Speaker and Vice President Edward Ssekandi, former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, the late Dr. Samson Kisekka, and many others eventually found political space within the ruling establishment. In more recent years, the trend has continued with leaders like current Speaker Anita Annet Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, and other influential figures joining or aligning with the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
This deliberate strategy of political inclusion and consolidation explains, in part, why the NRM remains the strongest and most enduring political party Uganda has ever had. By absorbing competition rather than fighting endless internal wars, the party has managed to renew itself while maintaining dominance.
However, the post-election period also raises serious questions about the future of opposition politics. The gradual disappearance of strong political commentators and competitors such as Hon. Semujju Nganda, Asuman Basalirwa, Medard Lubega Sseggona, and Hon. Mathias Mpuga from the political spotlight leaves many Ugandans wondering: are political parties truly focused on long-term growth, or are they drifting out of focus?
As Uganda moves forward from another decisive election, the lessons are clear. Political strength is not only measured by crowd sizes or online activism, but by unity, strategy, and the ability to manage internal differences. For parties seeking relevance and longevity, the message is simple — build institutions, protect intellectual capital, and keep your house united, even in disagreement.
