Traditionally tasked with overseeing party administration, communication, and strategy execution, the influence of Secretaries General has fluctuated amid shifting political dynamics.
The role of party secretaries general in Uganda's political landscape has become a contentious issue, with growing concerns over power concentration within the position.
Traditionally tasked with overseeing party administration, communication, and strategy execution, the influence of Secretaries General has fluctuated amid shifting political dynamics.
While some argue that the position is being undermined, others contend that certain officeholders have exploited it for personal gain.
Lulume Bayiga, a legislator and senior Democratic Party (DP) member, highlighted the varying authority of Secretaries General across political parties.
He explained that while the role is primarily administrative--managing party affairs and ensuring coordination between structures--its influence is often overshadowed by party presidents.
"In DP, the party president is the official agent of the party but has to act with consultation from the secretariat," Bayiga noted.
He stressed that if Secretaries General adhered strictly to party constitutions, their authority should remain intact.
However, in many cases, key policy decisions are determined by the National Executive Committee (NEC) or the National Delegates Conference, limiting their power.
Veteran politician Francis Babu argued that secretaries general should function strictly as chief administrators rather than political power players.
He described their role as the operational backbone of a party--liaising between leadership, mobilizing members, and ensuring policy implementation.
"The secretary general runs the day-to-day affairs of the party, coordinating between the chairman and executive committee while ensuring policies are implemented," Babu explained.
However, he warned that some have increasingly overstepped their mandate, engaging in political maneuvering that undermines party cohesion.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Deputy President for Buganda, Yusuf Nsibambi, expressed concerns over what he termed as a growing "dictatorship" in the role of secretaries general, particularly in parties influenced by the NRM's governance model.
"The secretary general should be guiding the party in line with its constitution, but many have become de facto decision-makers, sidelining party structures," Nsibambi said.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
He linked this power shift to Uganda's broader political environment, where centralized authority has eroded internal party democracy.
Nsibambi warned that such unchecked power fosters corruption and mismanagement, as it enables secretaries general to control delegate lists, manipulate internal processes, and influence major party decisions with minimal accountability.
Babu defended the NRM's decision to appoint rather than elect its secretary general, calling it a strategic move to maintain party stability and avoid internal conflicts.
He argued that challenges within opposition parties stem from individual ambitions rather than structural flaws.
As Uganda's political parties evolve, the role of secretaries general remains pivotal in shaping party governance.
While the position is constitutionally defined, its influence is largely dictated by internal party structures and leadership styles.
The ongoing debate over whether secretaries general are being sidelined or abusing their authority underscores a deeper struggle for internal democracy.
Political parties must reassess the balance of power to ensure these offices serve their intended purpose strengthening party institutions rather than fueling internal divisions.
