Elections in precarious democracies such as Uganda remain deeply contentious. Many voters are yet to appreciate that elections should primarily be a contest of ideas, policies and promises, rather than an exchange of insults, intimidation and unfounded allegations against fellow contestants and their supporters. This challenge cuts across the political divide and manifests at all levels of leadership.
The recently concluded 2026 General Elections, like previous polls, were not immune to incidents of violence, political mudslinging and propaganda. Coupled with electoral defeat for some contestants and political parties, this has undoubtedly entrenched sharp divisions and disunity within the electorate, both during and after the elections.
Too often, victors are quick to celebrate electoral triumphs and slow to reach out to those they have defeated. As the stakes continue to rise and elections increasingly take on a do-or-die character, we risk losing ourselves as a society.
Blinded by party colours and ideological differences, we have turned fellow citizens into sworn enemies. Reasonableness has been sacrificed at the altar of divisive politics, where money often propels individuals into office faster than compelling ideas or sound leadership.
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At the same time, voters have reduced the constitutional roles of leaders, such as Members of Parliament, from national representation and oversight to the pursuit of personal or parochial interests, while paradoxically still demanding effective representation and accountability.
Politics has, in many ways, become more profitable than any other enterprise, distorting both leadership incentives and public expectations.
Painfully, elections have torn at our social fabric. Whether aligned with the ruling party or the opposition, many Ugandans feel the electoral process is compromised, while others believe elections have only deepened our divisions. We have become so politically charged that empathy for one another has diminished. Political party identity has displaced our shared national identity, and violence has become an all-too-familiar language--sometimes with fatal consequences.
No election, however consequential, justifies the loss of life, the creation of orphans, or the torture and detention of individuals because of their political beliefs. While democracy is ultimately decided by numbers, the voices of the defeated and the silent minority should not be ignored.
The newly elected leaders must listen to the ideas of those they defeated and, where possible, work together for the common good. Equally, those who lost should be willing to cooperate if their true motivation for seeking office was to improve the lives of the people they sought to represent.
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The margins declared by returning officers should not blind leaders to the citizens who did not believe in their manifestos or vote for them. Political maturity demands engagement with opponents to forge common ground for the benefit of society. Healing broken hopes should not be viewed as a burden, but as a necessary and courageous step toward consensus-building. There is little more difficult than governing a deeply divided people.
The uncomfortable truth is that these elections have left a visible and invisible dent in our national cohesion. Political undercurrents persist and should not be underestimated, as they can easily fuel future instability.
Religious and cultural leaders have a vital role to play in restoring social cohesion in the aftermath of the elections, but this role must be exercised with impartiality. Where such leaders appear selective or hesitant in speaking truth to power, their credibility inevitably suffers.
As the election fever subsides, it should not be assumed that tranquillity will automatically follow. Reuniting a people divided along often imaginary political lines is a critical task for those who have assumed office.
This must be done respectfully, with the understanding that elections come and go, but the people remain. Most importantly, Uganda can thrive if it learns to coexist peacefully within its political diversity.
Mr Badru Walusansa is a political analyst
