Politics 18 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Politics in Uganda Persists Despite Calls for Suspension
After 40 years in power, President Museveni now welcomes claims that elections end politics until the next cycle, a stark contrast to his past rejection of rigged polls. Critics dismiss post-election calls to halt politics and focus on work as naive or opportunistic. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/columnists/allan-tacca/politics-cannot-be-stopped-5427990
Uganda’s elections since 1996 share familiar traits: widespread rigging allegations, post-vote declarations that politics is over, and pleas for national dialogue from self-important figures.
Losers are told to wait for the next flawed poll while winners revel. Those urging a pause in politics—ministers, officials, clergy, or commentators—are called out as foolish or seeking government favors.
Politics defines life under any regime controlling laws, services, security, and livelihoods. Suspending it until 2031 ignores this reality.
Religious leaders draw ridicule too. A pastor shared how the Inter Religious Council avoids criticizing members amid scandals, prioritizing loyalty over ethics. He cited a ‘Tanzania principle’ accepting cheats as smarter winners.
This echoes Museveni’s shift: once he fought 1980 election thieves, now unchallenged NRM wins sound appealing after four decades.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)