Africa-Press – Uganda. Former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza has voiced deep concern over what she termed the growing stranglehold of political elitism in Uganda, warning that a small, aging elite is increasingly sidelining youth and ordinary citizens from governance and leadership.
Speaking during an online dialogue hosted by Agora Discourse, a civic engagement platform focused on human rights and democratic participation, Kiiza decried the emergence of political dynasties and the normalization of hereditary leadership in Uganda.
“Shall we continue having grandfathers and grandmothers in leadership when even their sons and grandchildren are due for leadership?” she asked. “Our elders should take the back seat and give space to the younger generation.”
Kiiza criticized veteran politicians who cling to power for decades, often grooming their children to inherit positions while wielding state resources and coercive tools to retain dominance.
She argued that their reluctance to retire stems partly from the absence of a reliable social security system.
“They feel lonely and insecure. But what happens when they start losing elections and collapse from the shock?” she said.
She also condemned the increasing role of money, military power, and patronage in Uganda’s electoral process, which she said effectively locks out youth and women.
“The old guard have money. They have the military. They bribe their way in and use violence to silence the youth and women,” Kiiza said.
“Even some elite youth—often children of top officials—are now intimidating voters with firearms.”
She warned that Uganda is heading toward a dangerous political dichotomy between the wealthy ruling class and the disenfranchised majority.
“We are creating a political class of the haves and the have-nots,” she said, urging urgent reforms to level the playing field and restore democratic competition.
Calling on youth to take action, Kiiza said the sheer size and energy of Uganda’s young population should be used to push back against entrenched elites.
“Young people, take up your space. Use your numbers and energy to push out the old guard,” she urged.
She also advised voters to resist the lure of electoral bribery and intimidation. Citing her 2012 by-election and the recent Kawempe contest, she noted that citizens have successfully defied coercion when united.
“Eat their money and deny them the vote,” she quipped.
Beyond electoral politics, Kiiza also criticized Uganda’s tax regime, arguing that it unfairly burdens the poor while shielding the politically connected.
“The rich don’t pay taxes. But it’s the poor who are taxed and who keep the economy running,” she said.
Kiiza concluded by calling for a united front among youth, women, and economically marginalized Ugandans to demand a more inclusive and accountable political system.
“Your vote is equal to that of the rich. Don’t let a few people with guns and money dominate this country. We are the majority. Let’s rise up and say, enough is enough,” she said.
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