By Reachel Wambuzi
Across Uganda’s grassroots communities, women are increasingly voicing concern over limited civic education and shrinking space for informed participation in electoral processes.
From rural villages in Buyende and Iganga to urban neighborhoods in Jinja City, many say the lack of timely information, rising election-related violence and persistent gendered pressures threaten meaningful democracy, yet others see signs of change driven by women and youth themselves.
In Budolyo village, Irundu Town Council in Buyende District, 53-year-old Hafsa Namundi says she has never witnessed any government agency sensitizing residents about electoral procedures or the importance of voting as Uganda gears up to the January 2026 general election. Like many in her community, she says they often wait for election day without understanding earlier processes such as voter register updates.
“We were never informed about voter update exercises or any of the steps before elections,” Namundi explains. “We just wait and look on, not knowing whether we are even eligible to vote.”
Namundi recalls a stark contrast with the early 1980s, when she says civic education was deliberate and personal. She remembers government-facilitated teams walking from home to home, spending time with families to explain the value of participating in elections.
“I was still young, but I clearly remember groups of two people moving through villages, calling parents and neighbors together and spending more than 30 minutes explaining election issues. That helped people make informed choices, even during uncertain times,” she recounts.
Today, access to information is far more limited in her rural setting. With no radio of her own, Namundi relies on a neighbor for news, yet even they were unaware of the voter update exercise.
“I do not know if my name will appear on the register next year,” she says, expressing fear that gaps in information could deny her the right to vote.
Similar concerns are echoed in Mulanga village, Nawandala Sub-county in Iganga District. Tapenensi Tibitondwa believes the aggressive civic education of earlier decades played a role in producing more ethical and people-centered leaders.
She fondly recalls a popular Radio Uganda song from the 1980s, “Mwena mugende mulonde” (“Let us all go and vote”), which aired frequently and emphasized the importance of voting in shaping the country’s future.
“That kind of messaging encouraged responsibility and accountability,” Tibitondwa says.
Tibitondwa argues that today’s elections are increasingly shaped by bribery, personal friendships and tribal inclinations rather than competence or integrity.
“Voters lack information about the kind of leaders they deserve,” she says, warning that this has allowed mediocrity to thrive unchecked.
Beyond information gaps, women also point to violence as a growing deterrent to participation.
In Nampirika village, Iganga District, Susan Kyobona says campaign periods have been marred by physical and verbal attacks fueled by overzealous supporters of rival candidates.
“I have seen people beaten and left with deep wounds they are still recovering from,” Kyobona says. She adds that many others suffer psychological trauma due to threats and abusive language, which creates fear and pushes people away from the electoral process.
For some women, political participation also carries risks at home. In Buweera village, Kagoma Town Council in Jinja District, Margret Nabirye says women’s voices are often suppressed through coercion and domestic violence. She alleges that some men force their wives to support preferred candidates, with refusal leading to abuse or expulsion from their homes.
“I know of five women who were chased from their homes for disagreeing politically with their husbands. Many women now choose to blindly support their husbands’ choices out of fear of losing their marriages,” says Nabirye.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. In Jinja City’s Mafubira Ward, Scovia Namumbya observes that women are increasingly being given space on radio programs to discuss political issues substantively.
“Callers are focusing on issues, not dismissing women as engaging in ‘feminism rants,’” she notes.
Youth activist Sylvia Nangobi says women and young people are also turning to social media to fill the civic education gap. Through digital platforms, they share information about voting procedures, valid ballots and issue-based decision-making.
“Even without government or NGO-led campaigns, citizens are stepping in. We teach people how to cast valid votes and encourage them to vote wisely. Small actions like these can make a big difference for our democracy,” Nangobi says.
Amina Tibikoma, the female district councillor for Bukamba Sub-county in Kaliro District, agrees that social media, particularly WhatsApp, is reshaping political engagement. She says these platforms allow voters to freely share views and give feedback to leaders without the risks associated with physical rallies, such as bribery or intimidation.
“This kind of engagement promotes inclusivity and reduces the role of money in politics,” Tibikoma says.
On the institutional side, Kiira Regional Election Officer Deo Natukunda says the Electoral Commission (EC) has been running radio announcements in local languages and sharing messages on social media to inform citizens about upcoming electoral processes.
He adds that stakeholder engagements with candidates, security agencies, cultural and religious leaders help extend this information to communities.
