On Thursday, 29th, 2025, the Centre for Basic Research (CBR) hosted a powerful seminar under its Navigating Uganda’s Political Future series, focused on the timely and urgent theme: “Money and Elections: Rethinking the Cost of Democracy in Uganda.”
With Uganda heading into the 2026 general elections, this seminar convened thought leaders, civil society actors, researchers, and the public to examine how money continues to shape—and sometimes distort—our democratic processes.
Keynote Presentation: Henry Muguzi on Rationalizing By-Elections
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM). Drawing from his organization’s latest policy paper, Muguzi painted a sobering picture of the rising cost of politics in Uganda.
Between 2021 and 2025, Uganda conducted 13 by-elections, at a staggering cost of UGX 23 billion to the taxpayer. These costs included electoral commission operations, presidential campaign expenses, ministerial mobilization, and other government-funded activities. Muguzi questioned the logic of maintaining expensive by-elections when political parties could nominate replacements in cases of death or court nullifications.
He emphasized:
“We are witnessing zombie elections—recognizable in form, but devoid of substance. Uganda’s democracy is being commodified by unchecked money flows.”
Muguzi further argued that political finance regulation remains dangerously weak. With political parties submitting campaign expenditure reports in hardcopy and no real scrutiny by the Electoral Commission, public accountability is virtually absent. He called for stronger legal frameworks, independent oversight, and more inclusive civic education to restore the integrity of Uganda’s democracy.
Academic Rejoinder: Prof. Moses Khisa
Joining online, Prof. Moses Khisa from North Carolina provided an academic rejoinder. He applauded ACFIM’s work and emphasized the need for continuous, empirical research on political financing in Uganda.
Khisa warned of the rise of plutocratic politics—rule by the rich or those financed by powerful actors—and noted that:
If campaign funding continues to be unregulated, Uganda risks ending up with a Parliament dominated by oligarchs.”
He called for closer analysis of the links between campaign financiers and policy outcomes, particularly on issues such as tax exemptions, procurement, and revenue allocation.
Key Questions & Audience Engagement
The seminar provoked rich discussion from participants representing civil society, academia, and political movements. Questions focused on:
- Alternatives to by-elections (e.g. proportional representation)
- The role of courts in preventing unnecessary re-elections
- How to combat voter bribery and political clientelism
- Civic education as a strategy to empower informed voting
- The shadowy origins of political funds—both ruling and opposition
One participant noted:
“Even if voters take soap or 1,000 shillings, many still vote according to their conscience. Civic awareness is growing—quietly but steadily.”
Way Forward
Closing the session, Dr. Richard Ssewakiryanga, CBR’s lead facilitator, challenged the audience to think beyond local symptoms:
“As we confront local money politics, let us also stay alert to global trends. Around the world, oligarchs are capturing politics. We must interrogate the power of money—both matchbox and multinational.”
The Centre for Basic Research remains committed to providing a platform for critical reflection, rigorous analysis, and forward-thinking dialogue as Uganda navigates its electoral future