Lawyer and political analyst Godwin Toko has criticized what he describes as a growing sense of entitlement among Uganda’s opposition politicians, accusing some long-serving Members of Parliament of mimicking the same behavior they condemn in the ruling NRM.
In a candid post on X, Toko argued that Uganda’s political culture has become stagnant because many leaders, both in government and opposition, treat their positions as personal property rather than public service.
“For me, the best thing that can happen in politics is leaders coming and going. That way, no one becomes too comfortable. Leaders who think they own certain positions – and as we have seen in Uganda, even when they die, their kin take over – are bad for the country," he wrote.
Toko said several opposition MPs who have held seats for over 15 years are now complaining after being denied party flags, comparing their reaction to President Museveni’s long-held belief that he alone has the vision to lead Uganda.
“They think they are the only men with the CVs that should guarantee them parliamentary seats,” he noted.
He questioned why experienced lawmakers resort to media outbursts after internal party decisions, saying that a strong track record should be enough to earn re-election without relying on party endorsement.
Toko also took a swipe at President Museveni’s long rule, arguing that despite his vast experience, the country continues to struggle with basic issues.
“When Museveni speaks about transforming Uganda, a person who has never been here would think the country is a mini-Singapore. Yet, we still have potholes, flooding, and people dying from jiggers in 2025,” he wrote.
He added that some opposition leaders’ anger stems not from lost party flags, but from losing the political cover they have used to mask years of underperformance.