Politics 6 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's NRM Era: Stability and the 'Boda Boda' Economy
A commentary reflecting on four decades of the NRM's rule in Uganda, highlighting the nation's unique development path focused on 'personalities' and the rise of the informal 'boda boda' economy. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/4-decades-of-nrm-celebrating-stability-and-the-genius-of-boda-boda-economy-5486962
Four decades ago, Uganda saw the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ascend to power, a period marked by profound political and economic shifts. The nation’s approach to development has been distinctly characterized by a focus on key “personalities” rather than solely on enduring systems and institutions, a contrast often drawn with Western models. This narrative suggests a nation that prioritizes the present moment, with each election and government reshuffle heralded as a new beginning.
The country’s transportation sector offers a unique lens through which to view this evolution. While many developed nations invest heavily in complex public transit networks like trains and buses, Uganda, under the NRM’s ‘visionary’ leadership, has seen the decline of such infrastructure. Instead, the nation has embraced what is described as the “boda boda economy.” This informal sector, driven by motorcycle taxis, has become a significant source of employment, albeit with a complex mix of outcomes including congestion, pollution, and accidents.
The commentary humorously contrasts Uganda’s leadership model with that of the United States. It suggests that Uganda’s “scientific approach” of retaining a long-serving leader, once a successful “medicine” is found, is more efficient than the rapid succession of presidents seen in the US. This approach, it is argued, ensures stability and allows for a deep understanding of leadership over time, contrasting with the perceived “primitive thinking” of countries that frequently change their political direction.
This perspective frames the NRM’s tenure as a period of stability and ingenious economic adaptation, particularly through the widespread adoption of the boda boda system. The article posits that while Western nations build robust systems, Uganda has fostered a unique economic dynamism centered around personalities and an adaptable, albeit chaotic, transport sector, ready to share its “enlightened” model with the world.