Ugandan Voters Lament MPs' Unreachability Post-Elections

Residents in Uganda are voicing frustration over their inability to reach Members of Parliament following recent elections. One striking case involved Sam from Ibuje Sub-county in Apac District, who called his MP’s number 10 times on April 16, 2026, to request an ambulance for his late wife’s remains but received only ‘number not available’ messages each time.

Voters claim some MPs use multiple SIM cards, staying accessible during campaigns but becoming elusive afterward. Ms Eveline Akello from Lira City noted her MP has several lines, but only two are public, and they rarely connect. In Oyam District, an MP lost re-election partly due to similar complaints, as shared by Mr Isaac Odongo.

A Daily Monitor survey from April 1-3, 2026, highlighted the issue: in southwestern districts like Kisoro and Kabale, 5 of 18 MPs were unreachable; in Greater Mbarara, 23 of 46; in Busoga, 23 of 43; and similar patterns in Lango, Teso, Central, Elgon, and West Nile regions.

Community organizer Mr Hamza Okello explained that MPs face intense financial pressures during campaigns from voter requests for aid like burials and school fees. Post-election, they often enter ‘recovery mode,’ limiting contacts to manage debts.

He urged voters to see MPs as representatives for guidance and development, not personal financiers. When approached, MPs like Dr Eunice Apio Otuko and Julius Achon Bua avoided commenting, calling it a sensitive topic.

Parliament’s website lists MP contacts, but updates are inconsistent, leaving many constituents reliant on intermediaries.

Source: Daily Monitor