By Hagreaves Nsera
Recent reflections by four former district council candidates offered a rare and valuable window into the realities of grassroots elections in Uganda. While election outcomes often dominate public attention, the deeper lessons lie in the campaign experiences themselves – how candidates engage communities, the challenges they face, and what these encounters reveal about local democracy.
District councils play a critical role in local governance. They influence service delivery, planning, accountability, and the everyday interaction between citizens and the state. Yet discussions about elections at this level are often reduced to winners and losers, leaving little space to examine what the process teaches us about leadership, trust, and participation.
During a discussion dialogue organised by Engagement Forum for Transformation (EFT), a local political movement, one clear theme from the discussion was the enduring importance of grassroots engagement. Candidates agreed that direct, personal interaction remains the most effective way to build credibility.
Door-to-door conversations, community meetings, and listening sessions were consistently more impactful than posters or slogans. Voters responded positively when candidates took time to understand local concerns rather than simply presenting promises. “We organised several meetings in each village of Nsinze, and we moved door to door listening to and engaging the citizens on what pains them,” said Mr. Wandera Ronald, 26 years old, who contested and won the position of district councillor for Nsinze subcounty, Namutumba district.
However, these engagements also exposed the pressures shaping local politics. Many voters expressed expectations that went beyond policy positions, including immediate material assistance. While such expectations are understandable given economic realities, they raise broader questions about how citizens and leaders perceive political representation.
The discussion highlighted the need for sustained civic education so that elections are seen as a choice of leadership and ideas, not a transactional exchange. “People don’t wait or even want you to say anything about what you are going to do; they just demand money. Abantu bakukoba okunkumuse kumiyembe – figuratively translating to ‘give them money’. Ms. Baazale Marion Victo, 23 years old, who contested and won the position of woman district councillor for Nambale and Kidago sub-counties in Iganga District, said.
Another major issue was the challenge faced by new and non-incumbent candidates – limited resources. Politics is so transactional, and people expect to be given money anyhow. When you decide to contest, voters can ask you for money anywhere at any time, and they expect you to give it to them; otherwise, you will be damaging your chances of being voted in.
Victo added that she faced sexual harassment approaches in pursuit of resources. “You go to a respectable man in the village to propose the idea and ask for financial support. He says, ‘Come to this hotel at 10pm, and I will give you the money.’ Others would be point blank and ask you for sex as a way of paying back. This affected me psychologically because it was more from older men.” This challenge blocks many young ladies who have ideas and zeal to serve their community from contesting.
The candidates also reflected on the influence of incumbency. Established leaders often benefit from name recognition and existing networks, which can shape voter perceptions long before campaigns officially begin. This reality underscores the importance of internal party democracy and transparent candidate selection processes, which can help level the playing field and encourage competition based on ideas and performance. “Political parties are a very big factor because of the ordinary ground network which forms the starting votes,” said Mr. Baiswike Mwesigwa Grace, who contested for district councillor of Butansi subcounty, Kamuli district.
The election day itself was described as both intense and instructive. Regardless of outcomes, the process tested patience, discipline, and respect for institutions. Accepting results peacefully and constructively was seen as a measure of leadership maturity. The discussion emphasised that democratic culture is strengthened not only by competitive elections but also by how candidates and supporters respond to results.
Perhaps the most significant insights emerged from reflections on loss. None of the candidates framed their experience as wasted effort. Instead, they spoke of personal growth, expanded networks, and a deeper understanding of community needs. Campaigns, even unsuccessful ones, were described as platforms for learning and long-term engagement rather than one-time events.
These experiences carry important lessons for several stakeholders. For aspiring leaders, the message is clear: early preparation, community service, and integrity matter. Politics at the local level rewards consistency and presence over time. For political parties, there is a need to invest more in candidate training, grassroots structures, and issue-based messaging rather than relying solely on popularity or last-minute mobilisation.
For voters, the reflections invite a broader conversation about expectations and participation. Democracy functions best when citizens evaluate candidates on vision, character, and commitment to service. Strengthening this culture requires continuous civic education, not only during election periods.
Electoral institutions and civil society also have a role to play. Supporting peaceful campaigns, fair competition, and voter awareness contributes to healthier local governance. When elections are seen as learning processes rather than zero-sum contests, public trust in democratic institutions is strengthened.
Ultimately, the reflections from these grassroots campaigns point to a simple but powerful truth: democracy is built not only by those who win office but also by those who step forward to contest, engage, and learn. Their experiences enrich public understanding and help shape better leadership in the future.
As the country continues to reflect on governance and participation, such conversations deserve wider attention. They remind us that leadership begins long before Election Day and continues long after results are announced. In that sense, the true measure of a campaign is not only the vote count but also the contribution it makes to civic life.
The author is a former district councilor candidate for Northern Division in Kamuli district and a civic leadership advocate. He is the Secretary General of the Engagement Forum for Transformation (EFT).
