When People's Movements Become the Establishment

Recent political events in Uganda and the United Kingdom highlight a fascinating paradox in modern democracy: how do movements, born from the will of ordinary people, eventually become systems that feel distant and unrecognizable to their original supporters?

In Uganda, President Museveni’s recent inauguration marks another term for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), a party that has held power for decades. Simultaneously, in Britain, voters have expressed discontent with traditional parties, showing interest in newer forces like Reform UK, which positions itself as an anti-establishment alternative.

Historically, movements like the British Labour Party, the African National Congress in South Africa, and Uganda’s own NRM began with powerful promises of dignity, inclusion, justice, and liberation. They mobilized hope and emotional connection to challenge unfair systems. However, the nature of governing requires different skills: managing institutions, bureaucracy, and stability.

This shift from movement to system can alienate supporters. Many working-class voters in the UK feel the Labour Party has become detached and aligned with metropolitan elites. In Uganda, younger generations may judge the NRM not by its liberation history, but by current issues like unemployment and corruption.

The appeal of groups like Reform UK might lie in their projection of disruption and emotion, reminiscent of how established movements once sounded. This phenomenon prompts a global question: can any political movement maintain its connection to ordinary citizens after acquiring long-term power, or is becoming the establishment an inevitable fate?

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)