When elections consolidate power: The futile fight of the Ugandan opposition in the 2011 elections

Abstract

Recent elections in Uganda produced the outcome “everyone expected”: President Museveni and the NRM-party won. After 25 years of Museveni in power, the opposition has failed to pose any significant and real challenge to President Museveni’s rule. Rather than a democratic contest for power, elections in Uganda appear to be tools for consolidating power. The election reflects the NRM and Museveni’s continued control of the political game. Albeit internal weaknesses in the political opposition, we argue that a hostile operating environment makes it impossible for the opposition parties to compete.