Since the Electoral Commission cleared eight candidates for the presidency, the expectation has been for all to traverse the country, presenting their vision and convincing voters to grant them a five-year mandate.
Yet, as the campaign enters its third month, only a few candidates are consistently visible, leaving others largely absent.
Veteran presidential aspirant Kibirige Mayanja, who has contested previous elections, says two months is sufficient for candidates to gauge their strength and decide whether to continue or quietly withdraw.
“After two months of campaigns, a candidate should already know where they stand—whether to soldier on or quietly withdraw,” Kibirige told Nile Post.
He explained that Uganda’s voting patterns, dominated by two major contenders, often discourage smaller candidates from investing heavily in what they perceive as a futile effort.
“Some candidates simply choose to preserve their little resources rather than spend on a campaign they cannot realistically win,” he added.
Legal expert and political analyst Isaac Atukunda attributes the trend to the monetisation of Uganda’s political landscape.
“Voters don’t listen to manifestos; they listen to money,” he said. “So if a candidate has no money, it will be hard for them to go to some places, hence the silence.”
Atukunda advocates for state support for all presidential candidates to ensure meaningful, nationwide campaigns.
He also argued that a truly level playing field is impossible while the incumbent has full access to state machinery during the election period.
“There must be fairness. If possible, the incumbent should step aside during the campaign period so that all candidates compete on equal footing,” he said.
He further notes that no law obliges a candidate to campaign or dictates how support must be solicited. “One can be duly nominated and still choose to stay off the trail,” Atukunda said.
