Ugandans should brace themselves for a largely authoritarian regime

What the report says

The Observer published an opinion piece arguing that Uganda may be moving toward a more authoritarian political order under President Yoweri Museveni. The writer says Museveni has long relied on patronage — including support for religious and cultural leaders, access for business figures, and tolerated corruption — to maintain loyalty across the political system. It argues that this approach is becoming harder to sustain as economic pressures grow and younger Ugandans demand jobs, services and accountability.

The article says anti-corruption debates have become more central in recent years, helped by investigations, social media and parliamentary attention, and that the government has responded partly by staging its own anti-corruption efforts. It mentions figures such as Anita Among and Balaam Barugahara as part of that political environment, while suggesting these initiatives are losing force. The author contends that if buying support no longer works, the state may turn increasingly to coercion and intimidation.

The piece also questions whether Uganda should still be described as democratic if ruling powers cannot realistically lose elections. It notes that public criticism still exists through television, newspapers and social media, but says that freedom to speak does not equal real political competition. As general background, the article also references the broader debate over whether authoritarian systems can deliver development, while warning that such a model may fail if leadership is ineffective.