The recent election victory of Robert Kyagulanyi in the Kyadondo East by-election has been described as a historic and phenomenon by a number of political contenders. The self-proclaimed Ghetto President shocked many people by his landslide victory when he gathered more than 25,000 votes against 7,340 as for his rivals combined.

His win was one of the highest victory margins in any by-election. Bobi Wine is a political newcomer who trans-seasoned politicians from the popular parties like the ruling NRM and the FDC party. His victory raised concern about the shift that voters made from the previous party identification to the endorsement of an individual.

Professor Gerald Karyeija of Uganda Management Institute said that the allegiance of political parties appears to be winning the support of individuals. “To me, I think that the democratic experiments in Africa are beginning to question the ability of political parties to aggregate their interests. But if we go to the specific of Mr. Kyagulanyi what do I read; One, service delivery in the urban area.” Said, DR. Gerald Karyeija, Lecturer Uganda Management Institute. He also noted that the number of youngsters that participated in the by-elections couldn’t be underestimated. “In terms of age demographics, one who appreciates their language, their thinking, their aspirations, their desires are representing them. So there is an issue of identity.” Said, DR. Gerald Karyeija.

Makerere University Law lecturer, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala believed the by-elections of independent candidates had high chances of victory. “And when you have general elections where you were electing the area MPs and the Constituency MPs on the same day with the President or the Presidential candidates, the stakes are very high in that situation because then, it means that somebody who is electing their MP will most likely elect the same person for their Presidential candidate.” Said, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala.

Dr. Kakungulu also stressed that the citizens are nowadays looking for people who can offer new ideas rather than old ones supposed by political parties. “A candidate who comes up and offers a good platform for giving a more promising message has a better chance in a by-election compared to the general election because as of now, there is no, they are not voting for party manifesto because already the candidate the presidential candidate have one.” Said, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala. Professor Karyeija said that there is a new trend in Uganda’s politics where some independent candidates attract more support than flag bearers of established parties. “People have a fatigue of predominance of NRM and FDC. Then on top of that, we have the dominance of the leaders President Yoweri Museveni and Kizza Besigye. So when one comes out of those shadows?” Said, Prof. Gerald Karyeija. As the shadow trends shall change the quality of debate in Parliament is another matter.

The recent election victory of Robert Kyagulanyi in the Kyadondo East by-election has been described as a historic and phenomenon by a number of political contenders. The self-proclaimed Ghetto President shocked many people by his landslide victory when he gathered more than 25,000 votes against 7,340 as for his rivals combined.

 His win was one of the highest victory margins in any by-election. Bobi Wine is a political newcomer who trans-seasoned politicians from the popular parties like the ruling NRM and the FDC party. His victory raised concern about the shift that voters made from the previous party identification to the endorsement of an individual.

Professor Gerald Karyeija of Uganda Management Institute said that the allegiance of political parties appears to be winning the support of individuals. “To me, I think that the democratic experiments in Africa are beginning to question the ability of political parties to aggregate their interests. But if we go to the specific of Mr. Kyagulanyi what do I read; One, service delivery in the urban area.” Said, DR. Gerald Karyeija, Lecturer Uganda Management Institute. He also noted that the number of youngsters that participated in the by-elections couldn’t be underestimated. “In terms of age demographics, one who appreciates their language, their thinking, their aspirations, their desires are representing them. So there is an issue of identity.” Said, DR. Gerald Karyeija.

Makerere University Law lecturer, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala believed the by-elections of independent candidates had high chances of victory. “And when you have general elections where you were electing the area MPs and the Constituency MPs on the same day with the President or the Presidential candidates, the stakes are very high in that situation because then, it means that somebody who is electing their MP will most likely elect the same person for their Presidential candidate.” Said, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala.

Dr. Kakungulu also stressed that the citizens are nowadays looking for people who can offer new ideas rather than old ones supposed by political parties. “A candidate who comes up and offers a good platform for giving a more promising message has a better chance in a by-election compared to the general election because as of now, there is no, they are not voting for party manifesto because already the candidate the presidential candidate have one.” Said, Dr. Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala. Professor Karyeija said that there is a new trend in Uganda’s politics where some independent candidates attract more support than flag bearers of established parties. “People have a fatigue of predominance of NRM and FDC. Then on top of that, we have the dominance of the leaders President Yoweri Museveni and Kizza Besigye. So when one comes out of those shadows?” Said, Prof. Gerald Karyeija. As the shadow trends shall change the quality of debate in Parliament is another matter.