Uganda's Political Dilemma: Can Voters Eat the Cake and Have It Too?
In a controversial statement, the National Female Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Ms. Laura Kanushu, has urged voters to accept monetary gifts from political candidates but to vote with their conscience. This advice, delivered during a community dialogue on December 18, 2025, has sparked a heated debate among Ugandans.
But here's where it gets tricky: Ms. Kanushu encourages voters to take the money but not let it influence their choice of leaders. She argues that voters should listen to candidates' promises and make an informed decision, as they hold the power to elect honest representatives. However, this raises the question: Can voters truly remain impartial after accepting such handouts?
The event, organized by the National Secretariat of special interest groups and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), aimed to empower PWD representatives with conflict resolution skills and address various issues. One of the key concerns raised was the quality of parliamentary debates, which Ms. Kanushu attributes to the presence of corrupt politicians who bribed their way into office. She boldly asserts that she doesn't need money to speak up in Parliament, only her voice and intellect.
And this is the part most people overlook: The meeting also highlighted the challenges faced by PWDs during elections. Mr. Osborn Turyasingura, the executive secretary of the National Secretariat, emphasized the need for earlier discussions on PWD-related matters, especially regarding physical access to polling stations and the lack of sign language interpreters. He pointed out that many electoral commission officials are ill-equipped to handle PWDs' needs, which affects their voting rights.
The Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 defines various disability categories, including physical, hearing, visual, mental, and multiple disabilities. Mr. Jeremain Keeya Mwanje, a Councillor at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), suggested that embracing information technology in voting processes could ensure PWDs' votes are accurately represented. He also recommended involving PWD institutions in voter education and bringing this education closer to their homes.
As Uganda gears up for the 2026 elections, the question remains: Will voters heed Ms. Kanushu's advice and vote wisely, or will the allure of handouts sway their decisions? The controversy lies in finding the balance between accepting financial gifts and electing leaders who genuinely represent the people's interests.
