Opinion: Museveni’s UGX 100M Pledge – Genuine Support or Election Gimmick?

Mr. Yoweri Museveni’s recent UGX 100 million pledge to journalists in the Busoga region, accompanied by a minibus for their SACCO, raises critical questions about the intention and timing of such promises. While support for struggling media practitioners is commendable, the patterns and timing of these pledges often suggest ulterior motives tied to election cycles. With the 2026 general election looming, it’s worth scrutinizing whether this is genuine support or just another political strategy to entrench control over critical voices in the media.

Advantages of Mr. Museveni’s Pledge

1. Empowerment of Journalists:
Financial support could genuinely improve the livelihoods of journalists, enabling them to invest in better equipment, transportation, and professional development.

2. Strengthening Media Operations:
SACCOs and resources like the minibus can help streamline operations, especially for journalists working in remote or underprivileged areas.

3. Boosting Collaboration:
The gesture may encourage journalists to work together within the SACCO framework, fostering unity and collective bargaining power.

Disadvantages of Mr. Museveni’s Pledge

1. Election Tactic:
Historically, such promises conveniently surface during election periods, raising concerns about their sincerity. These funds often seem aimed at silencing dissenting voices and aligning journalists with campaign agendas.

2. Economic Mismanagement:
Uganda is grappling with severe economic challenges. Allocating significant funds for campaign-related tours, cars, and political gestures, while women give birth on hospital floors and public services crumble, is a glaring misstep.

3. Exploitation of Media Vulnerability:
Labeling journalists as “paupers” highlights their financial struggles but also underscores how political leaders exploit this vulnerability to manipulate narratives and stifle critical reporting.

4. Temporary Relief, Long-term Poverty:
Such handouts may provide temporary relief but fail to address systemic issues. Once the elections are over, promises fade, leaving recipients in the same cycle of poverty and dependency.

Why Now?

Mr. Museveni’s push for extravagant expenditures, including funding new cars for his campaign tours, comes at a time when ordinary Ugandans are barely surviving. The juxtaposition of lavish spending against the dire state of hospitals, schools, and infrastructure is troubling. The President’s focus on consolidating power through these pledges rather than addressing Uganda’s systemic issues speaks volumes.

Call to Action

As Ugandans, especially media personalities, we must critically evaluate such moves. Are these pledges genuinely for our benefit, or are they tools to keep us beholden to power? The media must remain independent and resist the allure of short-term rewards that compromise our integrity and perpetuate poverty.

Let us challenge our leaders to prioritize real solutions over election-driven theatrics. We deserve better.