Why Parliamentary Seats Have Become a Matter of Life and Death

By Noah Owomugisha

The arm of government set to pass laws for the good governance of the country, to provide, by giving legislative sanctions to taxation and acquisition of loans and to scrutinize government policy and administration, seems to turn into a very lucrative venture to harvest large sums of money.

Barely one year to the general elections, reports on political activity in several constituencies across the country indicate that politicians take the parliamentary races as a matter of life and death. There is also less participation in the House’s activities in these few months leading up to the 2026 polls.

Indeed, Parliament’s recess has been extended due to the absence of MPs, with the explanation that they are busy in their constituencies looking for votes. Every five years, Ugandans pay most of their MPs salaries for little or no work done.

Incumbents are fighting for reelection as their opponents turn constituencies into political battlegrounds. Villages are busy – and chambers at Parliament Building are almost empty – as the fight for coveted parliamentary seats rages on as a matter of life and death every day.

So, why would someone be desperate to be a member of parliament? The easiest answer is: they want to provide leadership, represent their people and advocate for services.

But far from it. It seems the “business” at Parliament is lucrative.

The unanswered question is whether the issues of citizens are. Are the issues of unemployment, education and health, particularly unemployment for the Gen Zs, given the attention?

It should be noted that Uganda has more than 50.5% of its population between (0-17) years and 55.5% in the working age (14-65) years. If not prepared and utilized to harness the demographic dividend, this population can be dangerous for the economy, the security and the politics of the nation.

A youthful man named Alex Ssembuusi was shot dead on June 26, 2025 at the political rally of  MP Theodore Ssekikubo of Lwemiyaga. “This was a military attack on people attending a political event,” Ssekikubo said.

Ssekikubo, who is seeking re-election, is contesting against Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande. Both are seeking the ruling NRM’s flag for the 2026 general elections.

The influx of many journalists, clergy, businesspersons and academics into politics as well as the formation of new political parties speak to the perception on how lucrative parliamentary politics is – beyond the salaries, perks and benefits for the ‘honourable’ members.

Unemployment, but also the profitability of the ‘business’ prompt many to sell what they have and borrow from money lenders to go to the August House since the pay is quite handsome, and behind-the-scenes deals mouth-watering. .

A parliament for the people tends to lose meaning as the august house is turned into a “house of deals.”

“On ground,’ a good MP is that one who is considered rich,  with many houses, cars, and able to attend burials or offer a few hundreds of thousands in condolences.

The recently concluded Special Interest Groups elections were characterized by violence, pointing to how the 2026 polls may look like – especially since everyone seems ready and willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Noah Owomugisha is a research fellow at the Population and Social Development Institute (PSDI), a Kampala-based think-tank