By Enatu Steven
As Uganda faces rising political tensions ahead of the 2026 elections, a strong call for accountability in campaign financing and the fight against corruption has emerged. While the government has pledged to jail major campaign spenders and curb the commercialization of politics, civil society organizations like Action Aid emphasize that the real solution lies in empowering the youth to lead the charge against corruption.
Uganda joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Anti Corruption day on the 9th of December to raise awareness about the harmful effects of corruption and promoting transparency.
David Asubu, the Programs Coordinator for Action Aid West Nile, believes that the youth must be at the forefront of this struggle. According to Asubu, Uganda loses a staggering 9 trillion Ugandan shillings every year to corruption, a figure that deeply impacts the country’s development and citizens’ everyday lives. “The youth must realize that their dreams and aspirations are being robbed by corruption,” Asubu says. “They deserve a society where they finish school, get jobs, and feel the impact of quality service delivery.”
But there is a local proverb to underscore the challenges faced by those who seek to expose corruption: “Whoever tells the truth is chased out of seven villages ” this figurative expression reflects a harsh reality that people often prefer to live with lies than to confront uncomfortable truths. “If you profess to be an advocate of truth, and everyone around you agrees, it is essential to check whether it is the true truth you are professing. An advocate of truth will often face rejection, not because of their message, but because many people are unwilling to accept the truth.
Asubu cautions those who wish to stand for the truth: “If you aspire to be truthful, you must give up any ambitions to be popular. The truth often brings discomfort, and with it, you may face criticism, rejection, or even danger. But this should not deter you.”
With the increasing commercialization of elections, Uganda’s democracy is at risk. Political campaigns, particularly during the 2021 general elections, were the most expensive in the country’s history, with total spending across political parties amounting to UGX 796 billion (approximately $221.2 million). Asubu notes that this trend undermines democratic integrity, allowing financial influence to outweigh the will of the people. “The commercialization of politics gives an unfair edge to the wealthy, which compromises the collective will of the people,” he explains.
This reality makes it more important than ever to tackle corruption at its roots. Asubu advocates for systemic change, with a focus on building transparency and accountability among young people. He also highlights recent government proposals aimed at curbing the commercialization of politics and increasing accountability, particularly the cabinet’s plan to jail major campaign spenders. These proposals, although promising, will only succeed if young people are actively involved in holding both politicians and institutions accountable.
For young people to effectively combat corruption, Asubu stresses the importance of education and technological innovation. “The youth must build knowledge and skills, as well as develop technologies that allow them to fight corruption,” he says. One example of such a technological initiative is the new system being launched by Uganda’s Auditor General, which will enable young people to report corruption via text, video, and audio, bypassing bureaucratic hurdles that have traditionally made reporting difficult.
Asubu himself has been an active participant in reporting corruption. He recalls an incident during the COVID-19 lockdown, where he witnessed police officers extorting money from taxi drivers near Awoja. Asubu recorded the incident and hid the footage in Google Photos, fearing retaliation. When the officers later searched his taxi and demanded his phone, they found nothing. “To fight corruption, we must not only speak out but also be prepared to document and report what we see,” Asubu says.
Asubu’s personal experience further demonstrates the need for citizens to be proactive in the face of corruption. He recounts an incident when he took a friend’s wife to the hospital in labor, only to find the medical staff indifferent to her suffering. In desperation, he called a senior doctor, which prompted the medical staff to spring into action. “It was only when I made the call that the doctors began to do their jobs,” he recalls. “We must realize that corruption steals not only money but also the very services that people need to survive.”
For Uganda to truly address its corruption crisis, young people must be willing to act, even when it is uncomfortable or risky. “Young people need to be angered by the injustice they witness,” Asubu urges.