Uganda's political landscape is once again brimming with tension as internal party battles over who secures the party flag dominate conversations ahead of elections.
From accusations of betrayal to warnings against selfish political ambitions, leaders and analysts are weighing in on what these dynamics mean for the country's fragile democracy.
Betty Nambooze describes elections in Uganda as a paradox.
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"Elections under a dictatorship are a dilemma for the dictator. To the opposition, they are like a knife with a sharp edge and a blunt edge. If they find themselves on the blunt side, it works to their benefit," she said, underlining the complexities opposition parties face in their quest for legitimacy.
For many politicians, securing a party flag is not just about individual ambition but about aligning with symbols that carry weight with voters. Godfrey Ssuubi Kiwanda argued that party loyalty often supersedes personal merit.
"People enter political parties with different motives, not just to participate. Many dedicate their lives to building the party's merit, which carries more weight than individual merit. For example, in the last elections, some candidates won simply by running under the umbrella party symbol," Kiwanda noted.
Yet, internal party disputes remain a sore spot. Nambooze contrasted the internal dynamics of opposition parties with those of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
"Do not compare what happened with NRM internal politics to us in NUP, because at least in our case, no one died. We have people who complained or petitioned and had their party cards returned to them," she stressed.
But the problem doesn't stop with contested primaries. The growing trend of candidates opting to go independent after being denied a party flag is fuelling fresh debates. To Nambooze, the decision often masks selfish ambition.
"To those who have decided to go independent, before you sleep, let your soul speak to you. Don't say you were asked by the people when, in fact, no one did," she said, criticising the practice as weakening opposition cohesion.
Kiwanda was even more blunt, calling it a threat to political party development. "The trend of people becoming independents when denied a party flag is selfish and undermines political parties. This is not about the opposition but the NRM alone. If we are to build strong political parties, we need to uphold principles," he warned.
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Sheikh Taimia Kamyuka, a political analyst, sees the struggles within political parties as part of a broader democratic deficit in Uganda.
"Democracy cannot thrive under a one-person mindset. Many in Ugandan politics are there because of the current situation, but deep down, they know the truth," he observed.
Kamyuka also challenged young Ugandans to rethink their perception of leadership. "Who told young people that to make a difference in their country and help others, they must hold leadership positions like councillor or MP?" he asked.
Nambooze pointed to Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, as an example of how party rejection can reshape politics.
"Kyagulanyi Ssentamu applied for a party card but was rejected by the existing parties. If he had not chosen to run as an independent candidate, he would have been overlooked," she said.
Meanwhile, Kiwanda insists that despite the noise, the ruling party remains the bedrock of political power. "We tell people that the real people's power lies with the NRM. While some wait for a single voice from Magere, we stand with the masses," he said.
