High nomination fees locking majority out of Uganda’s democracy!

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OPINION

By Georgia Tumwesigye

As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the recent announcement by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to increase nomination fees for internal party elections has stirred considerable concern, and rightly so. While the party cites logistical costs and the need to fund internal processes, these hikes come at a steep cost: the exclusion of economically disadvantaged groups, particularly women. PWDs and youth from participating in our country’s political life.

The figures speak for themselves. The nomination fee for the position of National Chairperson has doubled from sh10m to sh20m. Vice Chairpersons will now pay sh10m, up from sh5m, while aspirants for Member of Parliament positions face a 50% increase, from sh2m to sh3m. Even city councillor positions, often viewed as entry points for grassroots leadership, have jumped from sh200,000 to sh500,000.

These changes might appear justifiable on paper, especially if framed as necessary for campaign operations or reaching remote areas. But on the ground, they translate to a direct economic barrier for thousands of aspiring leaders. In a country where many citizens live below the poverty line and where youth unemployment remains staggeringly high, these fees are simply out of reach.

Women, PWDs and youth are hit hardest. Women in Uganda continue to face structural barriers to accessing financial resources. Many depend on informal or subsistence-level incomes and are constrained by patriarchal norms that limit their financial autonomy. For young people, whose median age nationally is just 16.7 years, the situation is equally dire. With limited access to capital, the idea of raising millions of shillings just to get onto a ballot is just unrealistic.

At FOWODE, we work closely with aspiring women leaders from all walks of life, many of whom are driven by a genuine passion to serve their communities. We see their potential every day. But we also see how systems like this discourage them. When the cost of entry into politics becomes this high, the political arena risks becoming a space reserved for the wealthy and well-connected. It reinforces a dangerous precedent: that leadership is for sale.

This issue is not just about money, it’s about the quality of our democracy. Uganda’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to participate in their governance. But when nomination fees become gatekeeping tools, we erode that right and weaken the diversity and inclusivity of our political institutions.

The impact goes beyond NRM’s internal politics. High nomination fees have a ripple effect across the political landscape, influencing how other parties structure their own candidacy requirements and deepening public apathy toward political engagement. It’s telling that similar concerns were raised in 2020, when high nomination fees forced many opposition candidates to crowdfund their way onto the ballot.

What Uganda needs is a political process that empowers, not excludes. We need policies that actively lower the barriers to entry for women, youth, and economically disadvantaged individuals. This could include a sliding scale for nomination fees based on the position contested, or subsidies specifically targeting marginalised groups. Civic education and leadership mentorship must also be prioritised to help new entrants navigate the political system.

It is possible to run strong, well-resourced political parties without sacrificing inclusivity. But it requires a deliberate shift in priorities, one that places democratic participation above financial gain.

If we are to build a Uganda that truly reflects its people, we must begin by opening the political door wider, not closing it further. The 2026 elections are an opportunity to do just that. Let’s not waste it.

The writer is the Women and Leadership Programme Manager at the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE)