Uganda's Democracy: The Challenges Of Democracy In Uganda

Democracy emanates from a Greek word Demokratia which literally translates to the rule of people. In other words, power rests with people in democracy.(Britannica.com). “Democracy refers to a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.”-Abraham Lincoln.

Democracy refers to a system of governance in which the supreme powers are vested in the hands of people and is exercised by them indirectly or directly through a system of representation which involves periodic free and fair elections (http://www.zesn.org.zw/publications/publication_280.pdf). Most importantly, the rule of is needed to ensure that governors are held accountable through elections that are free and fair (Rose, R 2009) Democracy really means nothing or less than

The challenges Uganda’s democracy faces are discussed as below.

Terrorism, the human costs of al-shabab terrorist attacks has stimulated strong demands for harsh restrictions on civil rights of Ugandans, to the detriment of the democratic process. Public gatherings to discuss freely no longer exist due to security threats from terrorists. Uganda enacted Public order management bill which requires citizens to request police mandate before making a political rally to discuss on key issues which affect them.

Political greed, the greatest challenge to Africa’s democracy Uganda inclusive is political greed. Presidents in some African countries want to rule for life and extend the patronage to their family members. This greed has led to manipulation of parliaments, constitutions for example according to Uganda’s constitution of 1995; the president had only 3 terms of office. However when Uganda’s president term expired in 2005, he bribed members of parliament with 5millions Uganda shillings to scrap off presidential term limits without holding a referendum and it succeeded. This was a great blow to Uganda’s democracy and contempt of the

In such a situation of higher levels of illiteracy in rural areas in Uganda, citizens may not fully play their roles effectively in exercising their right to vote in a meaningfully manner. Literacy is not to only enable citizens to actively participate in elections but also to help them to always be aware of various issues, demands, problems and interests.

Poverty, empty stomached or hungry person right to vote holds no meaning unless he/she gets what to eat. In other words, poverty is regarded as a bane to democracy. It is one of the root cause of inequalities and deprivation of citizens in Uganda. It’s perceived as a state of denial of opportunities to live fulfilling and health life. Politicians use poverty to bribe poor electorates with salt and a bar of soap in exchange for a vote. Electorates don’t think of voting the one with a better policy focus but rather the one who would give them what to eat.

According to Ministry of finance and planning, 61.2% Ugandans in rural areas survive on less than one US dollar per day. This is a very big percentage which needs an intervening policy but the government seem unbothered.

In a contemporary world, poverty is inter-linked with systemic deprivation of rights and related to the notion of Human Development