By Michelle Mugisha
KAMPALA — As Uganda edges closer to the 2026 general elections, the country is witnessing a troubling trend: a surge in political defections and shifting allegiances among leaders.
The wave of party-hopping has sparked widespread debate over whether loyalty to political parties in Uganda is rooted in ideology—or mere convenience.
Across the political spectrum, aspirants are abandoning long-held affiliations in favour of rival parties they believe will offer better chances of victory.
This fluidity, critics say, threatens to erode public trust and weaken the foundations of Uganda’s multi-party system.
“Political party loyalty should be like religious faith—anchored in core beliefs,” said Professor Rogers Barigayomwe, a political scientist.
“You don’t change your religion at the first sign of discomfort. Similarly, true party members should stay through turbulence because they believe in the mission.”
Barigayomwe argued that many politicians treat parties as stepping stones for personal gain rather than platforms for ideological service. “They leave at the first sign of trouble because they were never truly grounded in the party’s values.”
Yet for others, the issue is more complex. Political analyst Henry Muguzi called the defections a natural consequence of Uganda’s evolving political landscape.
“Most leaders join parties without understanding their ideologies,” he said.
“They arrive with personal ambitions. When support isn’t forthcoming, especially from entrenched power brokers, they jump ship.”
Muguzi noted that the pattern is particularly pronounced among young and emerging politicians who often find themselves sidelined.
“Lack of mentorship and internal democracy pushes them out,” he added.
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena blamed the trend partly on the proliferation of new and loosely organized parties.
“Younger parties are destabilizing the system. But UPC has endured because we’re built on strong ideological foundations,” he said.
“Our leaders know what the party stands for—and why it matters.”
While reasons vary—from ideological misalignment to strategic self-interest—the frequency of defections is unsettling voters and muddying party identities.
Analysts warn that if parties do not establish clear ideological boundaries and enforce internal discipline, the country risks descending into a personality-driven political marketplace.
As campaign season intensifies, all eyes are now on Uganda’s political players—not just to win, but to show what, if anything, they truly stand for.