The increasing number of independent candidates contesting against officially endorsed party flag bearers is a growing concern across Uganda’s political landscape. This phenomenon has not only affected the NRM but also other parties like FDC, NUP, DP, and UPC. The situation poses several challenges to the health and discipline of political parties, as well as the credibility of Uganda’s multi-party system.
First, it weakens party structures across the board. Every major party in Uganda experiences internal wrangles during primary elections. However, when candidates lose and choose to run as independents, they undermine the authority of party leadership, regardless of whether it is President Museveni in NRM, Bobi Wine in NUP, Patrick Amuriat in FDC, or Norbert Mao in DP. Such actions also result in the emergence of parallel campaign structures that confuse voters and erode the credibility of internal democracy, making party institutions look like ceremonial shells without control over their own members.
Secondly, the presence of independents confuses and divides voters across the country. In the 2021 elections, for instance, voters were often left struggling to distinguish between official party candidates and those running independently but still associating themselves with the party. In Buganda, many FDC and NUP supporters split their votes between party candidates and independents, which in some cases handed victory to rivals unintentionally. In western Uganda, NRM independents diluted the party’s dominance in Parliament. In northern Uganda, DP and UPC suffered identity crises due to the presence of competing independents claiming to represent their values.
Thirdly, this trend promotes a culture of self-interest and political opportunism. Some candidates participate in party primaries not out of ideological conviction but merely as a strategy to access power. When they lose, they run as independents while still campaigning under the shadow of the party brand. This misleads voters and elevates personal ambition above public service or policy vision.
Additionally, the escalation of political tension and violence is partly driven by frustrations emerging from the primaries. In several urban centres, party primaries have become more violent than national elections. They are characterized by rigging, bribery, voter intimidation, and manipulation of results. When aggrieved candidates decide to contest as independents, the rivalry between them and the party’s flag bearer fuels tension within communities, resulting in deeper divisions that affect social cohesion and political stability.
This entire situation weakens Uganda’s multi-party democracy. Political parties are supposed to nurture and shape leadership through discipline and collective vision. However, when a significant number of politicians abandon their parties after losing primaries and run independently, Parliament and local councils become collections of personal egos rather than representatives of structured ideologies. This undermines policy consistency, accountability, and national development.
The rise of independents also puts party leadership on trial. While much attention has been given to NRM, where President Museveni faces rebellion from members who claim loyalty to the party but reject its internal outcomes, the problem is equally present in other parties. In NUP, many independents ran as “NUP in spirit” and won seats without official endorsement, weakening the party’s organizational strength. FDC continues to struggle with internal splits, particularly between the Amuriat and Besigye factions, which have seen members cross to other parties or run independently. DP has also lost members to the independent track, especially after internal disagreements and Mao’s entry into government. This shows that no party is immune to the disruptive effect of independents.
Moreover, the spread of independent candidates has deepened electoral corruption. Many aspirants spend heavily during primaries, bribing voters and spending beyond reasonable limits. When they lose, they often run as independents not to serve the people, but to recover their investment by entering office at all costs. Leadership is thereby reduced to a money-driven enterprise, not a service-based calling.
However, while these negative effects are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge that not all independent candidates are motivated by greed or rebellion. In many cases, their decision to go independent stems from genuine grievances within their political parties. Some long-serving politicians manipulate the electoral process during primaries, using their networks and influence to bribe election officials, intimidate voters, and alter results. There are even cases where polling stations are created secretly or where party electoral commissions are compromised. In such an environment, new or unpopular candidates stand no chance regardless of their merit or public support.
Additionally, the internal mechanisms for handling electoral complaints in most parties are weak, slow, or outright biased. When aggrieved candidates seek redress, they are often ignored or mistreated by party officials. As a result, some feel compelled to run as independents, not to destroy the party, but to reclaim the voice of the people that was silenced through manipulation. Others are trying to challenge political dynasties or entrenched elites that dominate party structures, particularly in regions where certain individuals or families monopolize the ticket every election cycle.
In conclusion, the rise of independent candidates in Uganda is both a symptom and a warning. It is a symptom of broken internal party systems, and a warning that unless reforms are made, Uganda’s multi-party system may collapse into a marketplace of selfish ambition. While some independents act out of frustration with injustice, the long-term effect of their actions weakens party cohesion, confuses voters, and undermines democratic growth. Political parties must therefore work hard to improve internal transparency, discipline, and fairness in order to regain the trust of their members and the public. Only then can Uganda build a stable political future grounded in institutions, not individuals.
By Maanige Wenceslas
Entrepreneur, Retired Teacher, Proud Farmer&Manager undergoing training. Kitanda – Nyakaina – Buyanja – Rukungiri district. 0701864523
