OP-ED: African leaders must listen to emerging divergent voices

By Kizito Simon Njaye

INTRODUCTION

Africa is entering a politically important period in which citizens are increasingly questioning how they are governed, how public resources are managed, how political institutions function, and whether governments are genuinely listening to the people they lead.

These emerging voices come from across society: young people, professionals, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, journalists, civil-society organisations, religious and civic leaders, political leaders, retired military and public servants, and ordinary citizens.

Some speak through elections. Others express themselves through Parliament, radio, newspapers, social media, community meetings, petitions and peaceful demonstrations. These are divergent voices, and African governments should take them seriously.

The question confronting African leadership is therefore not whether citizens have grievances. They clearly do. The more important question is whether governments are listening sufficiently before legitimate political frustration develops into deeper social and institutional distrust.

Recent Afrobarometer research across 38 African countries found that **64% **of citizens affirm the right to join organisations of their choice, while 72% believe that the media should investigate and report government mistakes and corruption. At the same time, only 53% regard their country’s media as somewhat or completely free to report without government interference (Okello et al., 2026).

This contradiction deserves serious attention.

Democracy cannot survive merely because constitutions contain the word democracy. It survives when citizens believe that institutions listen, elections provide meaningful choices, laws apply fairly, and governments can be held accountable.

UGANDA: A COUNTRY THAT MUST LISTEN TO ITS OWN CITIZENS

Uganda provides an important case study for understanding Africa’s changing political environment.

Since 1986, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has dominated national politics. Uganda has nevertheless operated under a multiparty political system since the restoration of multiparty politics in 2005, with political parties and independent candidates participating in national elections.

Ugandans have repeatedly demonstrated that they value democratic institutions.

According to Afrobarometer, nearly three-quarters of Ugandans—**73%—**say they prefer democracy to any other form of government, while 77% believe that many political parties are needed to give citizens real choices. Eighty-three percent prefer choosing leaders through regular, open and fair elections (Ssevume Male & Amalo, 2025).

These figures deserve careful consideration.

They demonstrate that Uganda’s political future cannot simply be understood through a traditional government-versus-opposition framework. The deeper issue is what kind of political system Ugandans expect.

Ugandans are saying, in significant numbers, that they want democracy. But they also want democracy to work. Uganda and East Africa cannot afford a politics that hears only applause.

Afrobarometer further reports that** 74% **of Ugandans support parliamentary oversight of the Executive, 73% support presidential compliance with court rulings, and 71% support limiting a president to two terms (Ssevume Male & Amalo, 2025).

These findings point to an important public expectation:* Leadership must operate within institutions, not above them.*

The African Union’s African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance similarly identifies popular participation, political pluralism, transparency, accountability, the rule of law and effective democratic institutions as important principles of governance (African Union, 2007).

THE UGANDAN YOUTH QUESTION

Perhaps the most important divergent voice in Uganda is that of young people.

Uganda is a youthful country, yet political participation among young Ugandans presents a paradox. Young people constitute a large proportion of the population, but many are less engaged in conventional political structures than older citizens.

A 2026 Afrobarometer study found that only 52% of Ugandans aged 18–30 reported voting in the 2021 election, compared with 89% of citizens older than 30. Only 31% of young people reported joining with others to request government action during the previous year, while smaller proportions reported contacting the media, participating in demonstrations, or posting about political or community affairs on social media (Nannozi & Kakumba, 2026).

This should not automatically be interpreted as political apathy.

It may also raise questions about political alienation, institutional accessibility, and whether young people believe conventional political channels provide meaningful opportunities for influence.

The distinction matters. If young citizens believe that politics is an arena where they are mobilised during elections but insufficiently included in policy formulation, political participation can decline. African governments should therefore stop asking only:

“How many young people support us?”

They should also ask:

“How many young people believe that they have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their future?”

The African Union Charter explicitly calls upon states to promote participation by youth in governance and to provide civic education that encourages participation in democratic and development processes (African Union, 2007).

UGANDA’S POLITICAL LEADERS MUST LISTEN BEYOND ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Political parties across Uganda have responsibilities in this regard.

The ruling party must listen to citizens who support it and those who criticise it. Opposition parties must listen to citizens who support them and those who do not.

The objective should not be to create a country where everyone agrees with the government. A healthy democracy requires disagreement. The real challenge is ensuring that disagreement remains within peaceful, lawful and institutional channels.

The African Union’s democratic governance framework emphasises political pluralism, citizen participation, transparency, accountability and dialogue between governments and civil society (African Union, 2007).

Uganda’s political leaders should therefore invest more heavily in genuine citizen consultation between elections—not merely during campaigns.

A citizen should not have to wait five years to discover whether political leaders care about their concerns.

MEDIA FREEDOM IS NOT A LUXURY

Another emerging voice that governments must listen to is the media.

The media is sometimes described by political authorities as hostile, partisan or irresponsible. The media, on the other hand, often argues that governments are intolerant of scrutiny.

Both government and media institutions have responsibilities.

Journalists must pursue accuracy, fairness and professional ethics. Governments must tolerate legitimate scrutiny and criticism. Ugandan citizens themselves appear to recognise the importance of the media’s watchdog role.

Afrobarometer reported in 2026 that 82% of Ugandans believe the media should constantly investigate and report government mistakes and corruption. Seventy percent support media freedom, while 67% consider Uganda’s media somewhat or completely free to report and comment without government interference (Muyobya, 2026).

The message is powerful:* Ugandans do not merely want entertainment from the media. They want accountability.*

A government that makes mistakes should expect journalists to report them. A government accused of wrongdoing should have the opportunity to respond. A journalist who publishes false information should be subject to appropriate professional or legal processes.

However, criticism itself should not automatically be treated as a crime.

A strong government should be able to answer difficult questions and promote dialogue, especially when disagreements arise with political opponents, in order to foster understanding and, where possible, reach consensus.

The African Union Charter specifically calls upon states to promote freedom of expression, freedom of the press and a professional media (African Union, 2007).

FIVE AFRICAN EXPERIENCES THAT OFFER IMPORTANT LESSONS

1. Kenya: When a Generation Says, “Listen to Us”

Uganda should pay particular attention to developments in neighbouring Kenya.

Kenya’s 2024 youth-led protests demonstrated how quickly political mobilisation can develop when citizens believe government decisions do not adequately reflect their economic and political concerns.

The protests initially focused heavily on the proposed Finance Bill and taxation but developed into a broader discussion about governance, accountability, economic opportunity and political representation.

The protests were notable for their strong digital dimension. Young Kenyans used platforms such as X, TikTok and Instagram to explain provisions of the Finance Bill, mobilise supporters and coordinate demonstrations.

Afrobarometer research found that Kenyans who posted about politics or community affairs on social media were 1.9 times more likely to report participating in a protest than those who did not engage politically on social media (Iberi & Yakubu, 2026).

The Kenyan experience demonstrates an important principle:

A government may control traditional political structures, but it cannot assume that political communication will remain confined to those structures**.**

Digital citizens have created their own political spaces. Uganda and other East African governments should understand this transformation rather than dismissing it simply as social-media activism.

2. Tanzania: Development Must Also Mean Participation

Tanzania presents another important East African example. Political stability and economic development are important national objectives, but stability should not be confused with the absence of political demands. Citizens increasingly expect economic development to be accompanied by participation, accountability and institutional responsiveness.

Afrobarometer’s continental research identifies economic need, government responsiveness and democratic performance as important factors associated with political and civic engagement in Africa (Afrobarometer, 2025).

This is particularly relevant to East Africa.

Economic growth statistics mean little to a young person who cannot find employment. Infrastructure development means little to a rural family that cannot access reliable healthcare. National economic expansion means little to a small entrepreneur struggling with taxes, credit and markets.

Governments therefore need to measure development not only through GDP, roads, buildings and investment figures but also through citizens’ lived experiences.

3. Rwanda: Development, Discipline and the Question of Political Space

Rwanda offers another perspective.

The country has received considerable international attention for reconstruction, public administration, infrastructure development and economic transformation following the 1994 genocide. At the same time, Rwanda’s political model has generated continuing international debate concerning political pluralism, opposition activity, media freedom and civic space.

The lesson for Africa should not be to mechanically copy or benchmark Rwanda—or any other country. It should be to recognise that development and political participation are separate but interconnected questions.

African citizens increasingly want both functioning governments and meaningful civic space.

The continent should therefore resist simplistic arguments that economic development automatically makes political accountability unnecessary. Development should strengthen citizens’ capacity to participate rather than make participation less important.

4. Senegal: The Ballot Box Can Become a Vehicle for Change

Senegal provides another instructive African example.

Afrobarometer’s African Insights 2025 describes Senegal as a case in which protest and voting contributed to what it calls democratic renewal. The report discusses the 2024 political crisis surrounding the attempted postponement of elections and the subsequent electoral process that resulted in Bassirou Diomaye Faye winning the presidency (Afrobarometer, 2025).

The broader lesson is significant.

African governments should not automatically assume that citizens who protest are against democracy. Sometimes protest can be an expression of citizens’ desire for democracy to work better.

The appropriate institutional response to peaceful dissent should therefore be to examine the grievance, engage citizens and strengthen democratic institutions.

5. Nigeria and South Africa: Divergent Voices Are Not Confined to One Region**

Nigeria’s #EndSARS demonstrations demonstrated how questions concerning policing, accountability and youth frustration can become national political issues.

South Africa has experienced powerful youth movements, including #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall, which brought questions concerning education, inequality, historical legacies and institutional transformation into national debate.

Afrobarometer’s continental analysis places these and other movements within a broader pattern of protest and civic engagement across Africa (Iberi & Yakubu, 2026).

These movements differed in their causes and circumstances. But they shared one important characteristic:

Citizens—particularly young citizens—were unwilling to remain passive when they believed institutions were failing to address important concerns.

This is an African phenomenon, not merely an East African phenomenon.

WHEN LEADERS REFUSE TO LISTEN, THE STREETS CAN BECOME THE POLITICAL ARENA

This is perhaps the most important warning for African leaders.

When Parliament functions effectively, citizens can take grievances to their elected representatives. When local government responds effectively, communities can resolve many problems institutionally.

When courts are trusted, citizens can seek legal remedies. When the media is free and responsible, citizens can expose wrongdoing. When political parties are open and democratic, citizens can influence policy through party structures.

But when citizens believe that these avenues are closed, political pressure may migrate to public demonstrations and other forms of collective action.

The African Union Charter calls for political and social dialogue, public trust and transparency between political leaders and citizens as elements of democratic consolidation (African Union, 2007).

That principle deserves greater practical attention.

Listen when the complaint is still a conversation.

• Listen when the citizen is still writing a petition.*

• Listen when the journalist is still asking a question.*

• Listen when the youth organisation is still requesting a meeting.*

• Listen when Parliament is still debating.*

• Listen before frustration becomes confrontation***.**

AFRICA’S EMERGING POLITICAL VOICE IS NOT NECESSARILY PARTISAN

One of the important developments in African politics is the emergence of citizens who do not identify strongly with traditional political parties.

Afrobarometer’s 2025 continental analysis examines changing forms of citizen engagement and notes that political participation increasingly includes activities beyond conventional party structures (Afrobarometer, 2025).

African leaders should therefore be cautious about assuming that every politically active citizen belongs to a political party.

A citizen can oppose a government policy without belonging to the opposition.

A young person can criticise an opposition party without supporting the ruling party.

A journalist can investigate government corruption without being a political activist.

A professional can demand accountability without seeking political office.

A farmer can complain about agricultural policy without becoming a politician.

This is the essence of divergent political voices. They do not always fit traditional political categories.

THE DANGER OF LABELLING EVERY CRITIC AN ENEMY

One of Africa’s recurring political problems is the temptation to divide citizens into “us” and “them.”The government has its supporters. The opposition has its supporters. But the country belongs to everyone. A government that labels every critic an enemy risk losing the ability to distinguish between legitimate criticism and genuine threats to national security.

Similarly, opposition groups that label every government initiative as unacceptable risk losing credibility among citizens who want practical solutions rather than permanent political confrontation. African political leaders therefore need a new culture:

Criticise ideas, not citizens. Challenge policies, not patriotism. Debate evidence, not personalities. Compete politically without destroying national institutions.

The African Union framework expressly recognises political pluralism and the legitimate role of opposition political parties in democratic governance (African Union, 2007).

UGANDA’S PARLIAMENT HAS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ROLE

Uganda’s Parliament should be one of the country’s principal arenas for managing divergent voices.

Parliament is not merely a place where government programmes are approved. It is a constitutional institution for representation, legislation and oversight.

Afrobarometer’s Uganda research indicates substantial public support for parliamentary oversight of the Executive (Ssevume Male & Amalo, 2025).

If citizens believe that their Members of Parliament are genuinely listening to them, many grievances can be addressed before they become wider political crises.

Parliamentarians should therefore return regularly to their constituencies, not merely during election periods, to listen to citizens. They should report back on what they have done. They should explain government policies. They should question policies that require scrutiny.

And they should tell constituents honestly when certain demands cannot be met.

That is representative democracy in practice.

THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MUST ALSO LISTEN

The question of divergent voices extends beyond individual countries.

The East African Community (EAC) comprises **Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania *and Uganda. The EAC Treaty *identifies good governance, democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities and human rights as fundamental principles of the Community.

This makes democratic governance not simply a national issue but also a regional concern.

Citizens increasingly experience East Africa as a connected region,this enables the movement of goods,people,workers,students,ideas,and political expectations across the borders.

A development in Kenya can influence conversations in Uganda. A policy in Tanzania can affect Ugandan traders. Conflict in one country can create refugee and security consequences in another. Political instability can affect regional investment and trade.

This interconnectedness is also a defining factor in the ability of the East African Community to survive and deepen regional integration.

The EAC should therefore become not only an economic integration project but also a platform for learning about responsive governance, citizen participation and institutional accountability.

AFRICAN LEADERS MUST NOT CONFUSE ORDER WITH SILENCE

African leaders understandably want peace and stability.

No responsible citizen should advocate political violence, arbitrary arrests and detention of political opponents, destruction of property or unlawful conduct.

But stability has a deeper meaning than the absence of demonstrations.

A society can be quiet while resentment grows underneath.

Real stability is built when citizens believe that institutions can resolve disagreements.

That requires credible courts, effective parliaments, professional security agencies, responsible media, transparent and free elections, accountable public officials and political leaders who can tolerate criticism.

The African Union Charter itself connects democratic governance with dialogue, tolerance, compromise and participatory political systems (African Union, 2007).

AFRICAN LEADERS SHOULD CREATE MORE LISTENING INSTITUTIONS

If African governments genuinely want to hear divergent voices, they should institutionalise listening.

This could include:

-Regular national citizen dialogues involving government, opposition, civil society, youth, women and professional groups.

-Youth policy councils with genuine opportunities to influence policy rather than symbolic appointments.

-Stronger parliamentary constituency consultations.

Public expenditure transparency so citizens can understand how public resources are being used.

-Accessible information systems allowing citizens and journalists to obtain public information.

-Independent and professional electoral institutions*.*

-Protection of lawful freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

**-Digital civic education **to help citizens distinguish reliable information from misinformation.

-Independent institutions of accountability capable of investigating corruption through lawful procedures.

-Regular government feedback mechanisms showing citizens what happened to their petitions, complaints and recommendations.

These measures are consistent with the broader governance principles contained in the African Union Charter, including popular participation, accountable institutions, civil-society engagement, media freedom and youth participation (African Union, 2007).

They would not necessarily weaken governments.

They could strengthen public trust.

THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION CANNOT BE IGNORED

Political dissatisfaction is often connected to economic realities. An unemployed graduate may become politically frustrated; a farmer facing declining income may question agricultural policy;a businessperson confronting rising costs may question taxation; a young family struggling with housing and healthcare may question whether economic growth is reaching ordinary citizens.

Afrobarometer’s 2025 continental analysis identifies economic need, government responsiveness and perceptions of democratic performance among factors associated with political and civic engagement in Africa (Afrobarometer, 2025).

African governments therefore need to understand that economic policy is also political policy.

When citizens cannot afford the basic necessities of life, political frustration can increase.

WHAT SHOULD UGANDA LEARN FROM THE WIDER CONTINENT?

Uganda does not need to copy or benchmark Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Senegal or Nigeria.

Every country has its own history, constitution, institutions and political culture. But Uganda can learn from the experiences of its neighbours and the wider continent.

Kenya demonstrates the political significance of digitally connected youth and economic grievances (Iberi & Yakubu, 2026).

Senegal demonstrates how civic mobilisation and electoral participation can interact during moments of political crisis (Afrobarometer, 2025).

South Africa demonstrates how student movements can bring questions of education and inequality into national debate (Iberi & Yakubu, 2026).

Nigeria demonstrates how questions of policing and accountability can mobilise young citizens (Iberi & Yakubu, 2026).

Rwanda demonstrates the continuing debate over the relationship between development, state capacity and political space.

Uganda demonstrates that citizens can strongly support democracy while simultaneously demanding stronger institutions and accountability (Ssevume Male & Amalo, 2025).

The lesson is not that one model is perfect.

The lesson is that:African citizens are speaking—and leaders need to listen**.**

A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT FOR AFRICA

Perhaps Africa now needs a renewed political social contract.

Citizens should expect governments to provide security, public services, economic opportunity and accountable leadership.

Governments should expect citizens to obey the law, pay taxes, reject violence and participate responsibly.

Political parties should compete peacefully. The media should investigate responsibly. Civil society should operate within the law. Security institutions should protect citizens and constitutional order. Courts should administer justice independently. Parliaments should represent citizens and scrutinise government. Elections should provide meaningful opportunities for citizens to choose their representatives.

These principles are broadly consistent with the African Union’s democratic governance framework, which calls for constitutional rule, regular elections, political pluralism, popular participation, transparency, accountability and the rule of law (African Union, 2007).

CONCLUSION AND THE WAY FORWARD

Listen Before History Forces the Conversation

Africa’s political future is being shaped not only in presidential offices, parliamentary chambers and party headquarters. It is also being shaped in universities, markets, villages, workplaces, churches, mosques, radio studios, community meetings and, increasingly, on mobile-phone screens.

The continent’s leaders should therefore pay attention to emerging voices that do not fit comfortably within traditional political categories.

Listen to the young person who has never attended a political rally.

Listen to the journalist asking uncomfortable questions.

Listen to the farmer complaining about agricultural policy.

Listen to the trader questioning taxation.

Listen to the professional demanding institutional accountability.

Listen to the opposition politician.

Listen to the citizen who voted for the government.

Listen to the citizen who voted against it.

Listen to the citizen who did not vote.

They are all part of Africa.

For Uganda, the message is particularly important. The country has a population increasingly connected to regional and global political developments. Its young people are watching what happens in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, Johannesburg, Abuja and Dakar.

Ugandan leaders should therefore not wait for a crisis before asking what young citizens think. They should ask now, listen now and respond now. They should also endeavour to strengthen the institutions through which citizens can peacefully express disagreement and divergent views without fear of intimidation, detention, torture, arbitrary arrest or unfair treatment by the State.

The same message applies across East Africa and the wider continent:

Africa does not need governments that listen only when citizens applaud. Africa needs governments confident enough to listen when citizens disagree.

Divergent views or disagreements are not necessarily a threat to the State. Sometimes they are warnings. Sometimes they are advice or correction. Sometimes they can become the genesis of reforms. And sometimes the divergent voice that leaders dismiss today may be the very voice history remembers as having warned them in time.

African leaders must therefore listen—not because every citizen is right, but because no government can afford to assume that it is always right.

A Final Reflection

“Silence enforced by fear is not the same thing as peace created by trust.”

— Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvad

REFERENCES

1. African Union. (2007). African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. African Union. https://au.int/en/treaties/african-charter-democracy-elections-and-governance

2. Afrobarometer. (2025). African insights 2025: Citizen engagement, citizen power: Africans claim the promise of democracy,https://www.afrobarometer.org/feature/african-insights-2025/

3. East African Community. (1967). Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community. East African Community. https://www.eac.int/

4. Iberi, D., & Yakubu, K. (2026). Predicting protest participation: Insights from the year before Kenya’s 2024 anti-tax demonstrations (Policy Paper No. PP100), https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/pp100-predicting-protest-participation-insights-from-the-year-before-kenyas-2024-anti-tax-demonstrations/

5. Muyobya, E. (2026). Ugandans want free media that helps hold government accountable (Dispatch No. 1221),https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1221-ugandans-want-free-media-that-helps-hold-government-accountable/

6. Nannozi, M., & Kakumba, M. R. (2026). Indifferent or disempowered? Ugandan youth lag behind older citizens in political and civic engagement (Dispatch No. 1165),https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1165-indifferent-or-disempowered-ugandan-youth-lag-behind-older-citizens-in-political-and-civic-engagement/

7. Okello, A., Appiah, B., & Asunka, J. (2026).

   Demand for civic space holds strong across Africa as supply of freedoms wanes

   (Dispatch No. 1181),

   https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1181-demand-for-civic-space-holds-strong-across-africa-as-supply-of-freedoms-wanes/

8. Ssevume Male, S., & Amalo, S. (2025).

   Ugandans value democracy despite slight weakening in demand

   (Dispatch No. 1099),

   https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad1099-ugandans-value-democracy-despite-slight-weakening-in-demand/

**Author **

Kizito Simon Njaye,

Research Associate,

African Research Consult-Uganda,

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