Iddi Basaija: Female political aspirants in the Rwenzori sub-region are raising alarm over escalating monetary demands from voters, which they say are undermining their ability to compete fairly in the election cycle. Several affected candidates, the majority first-time contenders, argue that expectations for handouts and the high cost of campaigning are discouraging women and youth from meaningful participation in electoral politics.
Civil society actors attribute the trend to a culture of monetized politics that has been entrenched over time, largely by dominant political players. They warn that the growing expectation for candidates to hand out money has disproportionately disadvantaged women and young people, who often lack the financial muscle to sustain such campaigns.
One such aspirant is Katembo Fatima Kamama, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for the Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament seat. Contesting for the second time after losing in the 2021 elections, Kamama says voter demands for money, often tied directly to promises of votes have intensified this election cycle.
Unlike her main rival from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Kamama notes that her party does not provide campaign financing, forcing her to personally shoulder costs such as radio talk shows, transport for her campaign team, and hiring public address systems.
“NRM is giving money to our people, and everywhere you go, the electorate asks for money. We are trying to educate the masses to understand the value of their vote, but it’s not easy because people are very poor,” Kamama said. “
She adds that while she has resisted many such demands, the financial pressure remains one of the biggest hurdles for female candidates. Kamama also questions how women of modest means are expected to raise the three million shillings required as nomination fees for parliamentary races without external support.
“The electorate assumes that whoever is contesting has money. The first thing when they see a candidate is, ‘buy me water, I am hungry.’ I think it’s NRM that reinforced the thing of money, because they think when they give out money, people will vote for them.” She added
Kamama partly blames the problem on limited civic education, arguing that many voters do not fully understand the power or secrecy of their vote. She recounts an incident where a voter pledged personal support to her but admitted he would ultimately vote for another candidate out of party loyalty.
“I have never at any time seen the Electoral Commission educating the masses on the do’s and don’ts, even at this point, we still have people who don’t know how to vote, personally, I have put an advert on the radio to educate people on what to do,” She noted.
Another female aspirant, running as an independent for the Kasese district parliamentary seat and who requested anonymity, says she has already spent more than 10 million shillings meeting individual voter demands and making local donations.
“The issue of money is serious, voters no longer want to listen to the manifesto’s they are only interested in money and you will agree that most of us women come from a disadvantage background, we are either mothers at home or running small kiosk’s but come up to seek political leadership, so our financial background are often weak compared to most men,” the candidate said.
In Fort Portal City, Karungi Gorrete, a female youth councilor aspirant for North Division, says she is equally overwhelmed by campaign costs. Although her seat is considered less competitive than parliamentary positions, she explains that free radio talk shows are often dominated by men vying for higher offices, leaving women with little choice but to pay for airtime, which is especially expensive during election seasons.
With limited resources to organize large rallies, Gorrete has turned to media engagement as a more efficient way to reach voters. Still, she faces persistent demands for money.
She also highlights logistical challenges, such as the cost of travelling between communities, which further strain women candidates’ budgets.
Similarly, Gladys Kabasinguzi, a contender for the Bunyangabu District Woman MP seat, says the political landscape has changed drastically. Unlike past elections, where candidates could win without heavy spending, she now feels compelled to invest in youth groups mobilising votes, especially through social media.
Under mounting pressure, Kabasinguzi notes that some candidates in the region have resorted to soliciting financial support from voters themselves.
“These pressures, if you are not firm, you can easily give up but am happy that some of us are determined and resist pressures from the electorate,” noted Kabasinguzi.
However, Robert Mitse, the Kasese NRM Administrative Secretary, argues that voter demands are partly driven by politicians who treat campaigns as investments to be recovered once in office.
He noted that this kind of mentality fosters culture of corruption, where public offices have become more of personal gain that serving the people.
Meanwhile, Kihumuro Ainebyona, a Programme Officer with the Governance, Human Rights and Advocacy Unit at KRC-Uganda, says civil society organizations are intensifying voter education campaigns to discourage bribery and vote-buying.
He warns that exchanging money for political support undermines the integrity of elections and locks out new and marginalized candidates. As campaigns intensify across the Rwenzori sub-region, the growing influence of money politics continues to threaten the inclusivity and competitiveness of the electoral process, fueling renewed calls for civic education, enforcement of electoral laws, and reforms to level the political playing field.
