Political loyalty dilemma: Bridging morals in African democracies

In African politics, the emphasis on party and ethnic loyalty over competence and adherence to the rule of law has significantly hindered democratic progress and effective governance.

This issue is notably evident in Uganda under President Museveni's long-standing rule, where loyalty often trumps merit and ethical governance, raising critical questions about the future of democracy and accountability in the region.

Political analyst Godba Tumushabe while appearing on NBS Television recently stated that "for all NRM people their mental programming is everything is NRM".

Being a party in power doesn't make you the country the country has a program called the National Development Plan" highlighting the need for the party in power to raise above party interests to a national convergence of interests of all citizens and taxpayers who do not necessarily subscribe to NRM.

Abu Bakarr Bah and Nic Cheeseman have extensively examined how loyalty influences political behavior. Bah identifies structural and self-serving loyalty as key factors that render multiparty elections ineffective in promoting positive change and democracy.

Cheeseman, in "How to Rig an Election," argues that ruling parties exploit party loyalty to maintain power, creating a cycle of patronage that undermines electoral competition and democratic accountability.

In Uganda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) exemplifies this dynamic.

MPs frequently support executive decisions based on party or ethnic loyalty, often influenced by financial incentives, rather than the interests of their constituents.

This has led to the approval of controversial bills and projects, such as the exorbitant supplementary budget primarily benefiting the State House and the ongoing Lubowa Hospital project, raising concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.

Parliament’s decision to amend the constitution to remove presidential age limits, allowing President Museveni to extend his rule, underscores the power of party loyalty.

Many MPs supported this amendment due to loyalty rather than public interest, compromising the integrity of Uganda's legislative process and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.

This governance style not only contradicts Museveni’s warnings against blind loyalty but also undermines his advocacy for Pan-Africanism and patriotism.

William Gumede's observations on voting in South Africa resonate here: voter education should emphasize merit, competency, and honesty over loyalty.

Loyalty to the state should reflect the values and morality seen in the private sphere, ensuring public service delivery, accountability, and responsiveness.

The discrepancy between laws and practices in African politics, described reflects the gap between morals and manners and undermines human happiness and societal progress.

African states need loyalty to the rule of law, requiring a citizenry committed to constitutional principles and anti-corruption laws.

The rule of law must rest on human rights, due process, and equal application of the law.

Museveni’s governance, marked by selective application and corruption, undermines these principles, highlighting the need for ethical loyalty over blind allegiance to parties or leaders.

Ultimately, the future of governance in Uganda and other African nations hinges on prioritizing merit, competence, and ethical values over party and ethnic loyalty.

This shift is essential for realizing democratic potential, ensuring accountability, and fostering sustainable development.

Through ethical governance and adherence to the rule of law, African states can build more resilient and prosperous societies.

This article was partly generated with the help of AI