This year, 9th October 2026, Uganda will be marking 64 years since it became a Republic gaining independence away from the British Protectorate.
Surprisingly, Uganda still Struggles with Human Rights Abuse, Poverty, Corruption, Unemployment and Poor Governance Under the NRM Government (1986–2026).
For four decades, Uganda has remained under the leadership of Mr. Yoweri K.T. Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). When the NRM took power in 1986, Ugandans were promised a fundamental change and this was explicitly highlighted through the regime’s ten-point programme as highlighted below: –
1. Restoration of Democracy: Returning power to the people by establishing grassroots, democratic system.
2. Restoration of Security: Ensuring the protection of all persons in Uganda and their properties.
3. Consolidation of National Unity: Eliminating all forms of sectarianism, tribalism, and religious division.
4. Defending National Independence: Protecting Uganda’s sovereignty and pursuing an independent foreign policy.
5. Building an Independent, Integrated, and Self-Sustaining Economy: Reducing reliance on raw-material exports by focusing on industrialization, value addition, and import substitution.
6. Restoration and Improvement of Social Services: Rehabilitating war-ravaged areas and upgrading infrastructure like healthcare, education, and water.
7. Elimination of Corruption and Misuse of Power: Promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in public life.
8. Redressing Errors: Settling and supporting populations and groups displaced or disadvantaged by past government actions.
9. Co-operation with Other African Countries: Promoting African economic integration, regional trade, and defending human rights.
10. Following an Economic Strategy of a Mixed Economy: Allowing both the state and the private sector to participate in economic development
However, 40 plus years later, millions of Ugandans continue to face widespread poverty, unemployment, corruption, land grabbing, insecurity, and serious human rights violations.
Uganda today is a country where many citizens struggle daily to afford food, healthcare, education, and decent shelter despite the nation’s abundant natural resources and decades of donor support.
Youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest challenges. A large percentage of Uganda’s population is young, yet many graduates and skilled youth remain jobless or trapped in informal and low-income work.
At the same time, corruption has become deeply rooted within public institutions. According to Transparency International, Uganda scored only 25 out of 100 on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index and ranked among the most corrupt countries globally.
The persistence of corruption has weakened public trust, undermined service delivery, and diverted resources meant for hospitals, schools, roads, and poverty reduction programs.
Many Ugandans continue to suffer due to poor healthcare services, inadequate public schools, poor roads, limited clean water access, and a failing public service system.
Rural communities especially remain marginalized despite repeated government promises of transformation and wealth creation. Billions of shillings allocated to government programs have often been lost through corruption scandals, mismanagement, and abuse of office.
Human rights organizations have also repeatedly documented serious abuses under the current government. Opposition leaders, journalists, activists, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens have frequently faced arrests, intimidation, torture, abductions, internet shutdowns, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
Recent reports by international media and human rights groups highlighted violent crackdowns on opposition supporters and shrinking civic space in Uganda.
Uganda’s electoral processes have increasingly been criticized for militarization, voter intimidation, and suppression of dissent. Reports during the 2026 elections described internet shutdowns, arrests of journalists, and heavy deployment of security forces.
Critics argue that democratic institutions have weakened over time while power has become concentrated around the presidency and security apparatus.
Land grabbing has also become a major source of suffering for many Ugandans, especially vulnerable communities, widows, peasants, and indigenous populations.
Across the country, families have reportedly lost ancestral land to powerful individuals, politically connected investors, and government-backed projects without fair compensation or justice. In many cases, security forces have allegedly been used to evict communities violently.
Despite Uganda’s economic growth figures often presented internationally, inequality continues to widen. While a small political and business elite accumulate wealth, millions of ordinary citizens remain trapped in poverty.
Many public servants, including teachers, health workers, and local government employees, continue to earn low wages while the cost of living keeps increasing.
The culture of fear and impunity has further weakened accountability. Many Ugandans fear openly criticizing the government due to risks of harassment, surveillance, arrest, or violence. Civil society organizations and human rights defenders continue to face operational restrictions and threats.
Although the government often highlights achievements such as infrastructural development, improved security compared to past regimes of Amin and Obote etc, and Regional diplomacy, Many Ugandans believe these gains have not translated into meaningful improvements in their daily lives. After 40 years in power, citizens increasingly question whether the promises of liberation and democracy have truly been fulfilled.
Uganda’s future now depends on restoring democratic governance, strengthening independent institutions, protecting human rights, fighting corruption genuinely, creating jobs for the youth, and ensuring equitable access to public services.
Sustainable national development cannot be achieved without accountability, justice, transparency, and respect for constitutional freedoms.
As Uganda reflects on four decades under NRM rule, the country faces a critical moment to redefine its future and build a more democratic, inclusive, and accountable society for all citizens.
The writer is a Media Practitioner, Student of
Law, Human Rights Defender, Political Activist –lawmayanja@yahoo.com.
