Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, has discouraged politicians within his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party from engaging in the practice of distributing handouts as part of their political strategy.

He criticized this approach as a significant error, counterproductive, and unnecessary. According to Museveni, he emphasized that politics should revolve around consistently conveying one's ideologies and policies until these ideas resonate with the electorate.

He suggested that it would be preferable if people paid attention to the proposals put forth by these leaders and elected them based on their merits. If they were not elected, he encouraged them to pursue other activities and maintain their financial stability.

Museveni, who has been in leadership in Uganda since 1986, shared that he had never resorted to using money to influence voters throughout his 63-year political career in the country.

He likened politics to the role of a doctor, wherein politicians diagnose issues, prescribe solutions, and are subsequently compensated for their services, with the electorate being the ones to make this payment.

During a meeting with the NRM party's flagbearers and chairpersons from five divisions of Kampala, Museveni urged leaders to focus on promoting government programs and fostering unity among Ugandans to establish a common market for goods.

While various political parties in Africa employ diverse strategies for voter mobilization during campaigns, including rallies and door-to-door canvassing, the practice of distributing handouts or engaging in vote buying remains prevalent in many parts of the continent.