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CSOs Renew Push for Stringent Law on Commercialization of Politics, Campaign Financing

Muguzi also said that companies contracted by the government should be banned from financing political parties or candidates. “Those that are contracted by the government bankroll the party in power and its individuals, and we see quid-pro-quo corruption taking place.”
17 Jan 2025 09:44

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Civil society organizations have renewed the call for the establishment of stricter laws regulating campaign financing and the commercialization of politics in Uganda. This renewed push comes at a time when the country has started its 2026 general elections roadmap.  

Regulation of campaign financing and expenses in Uganda has always been a point of concern in the country’s political space, seen as a solution to voter bribery, which is said to be one of the leading causes of corruption among politicians. They seek to recover what they would have spent on vote buying and other forms of electoral subversion. Activists say the current laws are insufficient to handle the matter.  

Through a joint statement, the CSOs recommitted to increased advocacy to ensure that this is achieved the same way it has been with other laws. “As Uganda holds its seventh general elections under the 1995 Constitution next year, challenges like voter bribery, intimidation, limited media access for the opposition, violence, and suppression of dissent persist, which undermines the integrity of the whole process,” read part of the statement.  

Barbra Babwetera, Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, who is also the vice chairperson of the NGO Forum, stressed that without significant reforms, the upcoming elections may face similar challenges. She adds that as political tensions rise, there is a need for more transparency.  

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Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Finance Monitoring, mentioned that the commercialization of politics has continued to breed violence in the political space, especially during elections, where it turns into a do-or-die affair as participants do whatever is possible to avoid losing the money they would have invested. “This creates a do-or-die affair, employing all means, including violence, making the commercialization of politics a trigger for election violence,” he stated.  

According to Muguzi, this same tendency has obstructed many would-be good leaders from contesting because they are not well-resourced. He adds that this practice has not only undermined democratic principles but has also led to corruption, especially among politicians. This, he argues, for a multifaceted solution, with a stringent law being one of the key components.  

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He suggests that the law should force politicians to disclose the sources of their funding. It should also ban certain individuals and institutions from funding political activities in the country. “That law should be able to call for disclosure because some of the money in our politics comes from very dirty sources, which contaminates our politics, hence resulting in leaders that don’t serve us but the sources of their funding,” he said.  

Muguzi also said that companies contracted by the government should be banned from financing political parties or candidates. “Those that are contracted by the government bankroll the party in power and its individuals, and we see quid-pro-quo corruption taking place.”

Furthermore, he suggested that the law should compel politicians to report expenses and provide evidence to legally pursue those found culpable of voter bribery and other electoral financing offences.  

The proposals, according to Muguzi, will not see the light of day without the will of the party in power. He called upon those with authority to support the reforms for the good of the country’s political space. 

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