Leadership Row and Absence of Top Officials Plunge Ugandan Political Parties into Crisis

The post-election period in Uganda has exposed severe institutional vulnerabilities within several political organisations. The Common Man’s Party and the National Peasants Party are currently grappling with internal leadership disputes that highlight broader questions about party democracy, structural cohesion, and ideological stability.

At the Common Man’s Party, Secretary General Moses Bigirwa has raised concerns over the prolonged absence of party president Mubarak Munyagwa. Following an unsuccessful presidential bid, Munyagwa took a leave of absence and has reportedly failed to return to the party headquarters or respond to communication. Bigirwa noted that despite seeing Munyagwa active on media platforms, attempts to reach him via phone calls and messages have been futile.

Furthermore, Bigirwa revealed that the party has not convened a formal National Executive Committee meeting since January. This administrative vacuum has sparked anxiety among members regarding decision-making processes and the overall direction of the political organisation.

Meanwhile, the National Peasants Party is facing a parallel crisis involving its presidential leadership and a suspended secretary general. Party president Robert Kasibante defended the suspension of former Secretary General Sharif Ssentongo Nambale, citing alleged misconduct, failure to organize party activities, and unauthorized dealings with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Kasibante also accused Nambale of soliciting money from prospective members, violating the party’s voluntary recruitment principles.

Nambale has strongly rejected his suspension, dismissing the move as unconstitutional and insisting that only a national delegates’ conference holds the mandate to remove him from office.

Political analysts argue that these disputes underscore systemic weaknesses in Uganda’s political landscape, where parties often revolve around prominent individuals rather than robust institutional frameworks. Commentators like Saddam Gayira and Dr Daniel Waryemera point out that weak ideological foundations and pervasive political patronage leave many parties susceptible to fragmentation and leadership wrangles.

As both the Common Man’s Party and the National Peasants Party attempt to navigate these internal upheavals, experts emphasize the urgent need for stronger adherence to internal democracy and institutional accountability as outlined in the country’s legal frameworks.

Read more details on this story at the Nile Post.