As Uganda gears up for the 2026 general elections, the campaign season is already beginning to shape the country’s business landscape.
For many business owners across Uganda, this election period brings mixed emotions, a sense of hope for short-term profits from campaign-related spending, but also deep concern about uncertainty, instability, and possible disruptions.
Political campaigns in Uganda, like in many countries, are high-energy events. There’s increased movement, louder public debate, and a noticeable surge in spending.
While this can benefit some sectors, others find it harder to operate during this time. The effects of campaign season on business are both positive and negative, depending on the industry, location, and political climate.
In Uganda’s urban centres, small printing businesses often experience a sharp increase in demand during the campaign season.
As political candidates gear up for the elections, they urgently need campaign materials to boost their visibility.
This includes thousands of posters, flyers, T-shirts, banners, and other branded items that are handed out to supporters or displayed in public spaces.
For these printing shops, the campaign period can bring a temporary but significant rise in income, as candidates from all levels, from local councils to parliament, seek fast, high-quality printing services to keep up with the pace of their campaigns.
This increase in demand spreads to textile and tailoring shops too. T-shirts, caps, scarves, and wrappers with candidate images and party logos become common products, especially in markets and trading centres. Business owners often see their earnings increasing within a few months.
The events and entertainment industry also gets a major boost during the campaign season. Political rallies and gatherings, which are often held across towns and villages, require a range of services, from hiring sound systems, tents, chairs, and lighting, to booking event organizers, DJs, and MCs to keep the crowds engaged.
Musicians and local artists also find new opportunities, earning money by performing at rallies and composing catchy campaign songs for candidates who want to connect with voters through music.
These songs are often played repeatedly at events and on radio stations, helping to build recognition for the contestants. At the same time, media houses, especially radio and TV stations, benefit financially as candidates pay to run adverts, sponsor shows, and secure coverage of their campaign activities.
All of this creates a ripple effect, turning the campaign season into a busy and profitable time for many players in the entertainment and media industries.
Local service providers step in to meet this demand. Food vendors, especially in rural areas where rallies are held, find new customers as large crowds gather.
Transportation providers, particularly cyclists commonly known as boda boda riders and minibus operators also benefit.
Politicians need to move quickly from one area to another, and their teams require regular transport for materials and staff. This translates to more bookings and better earnings for transport operators.
However, despite these benefits, campaign season can also bring significant challenges, especially for formal businesses, investors, and companies that rely on stability.
One of the biggest concerns is uncertainty. Investors, both local and international tend to hold off on major decisions during election periods with the fear of policy changes, tax shifts, or instability causes hesitation.
Another issue is disruption. Campaign rallies often block roads, crowd urban areas, and slow down transport.
Businesses located near political events may struggle to open due to security concerns or lack of access. Protests, sometimes accompanied by violence, further disrupt operations and put workers at risk.
Overall, campaign season in Uganda is a double-edged sword for the business community. On one side, it creates short-term opportunities, particularly for small and informal businesses in printing, catering, transport, and event management.
On the other, it brings uncertainty, disruption, and the risk of instability, which can harm long-term investment and business growth.
For Uganda’s economy to thrive, stability and predictability are crucial. While the campaign season is part of the democratic process, ensuring that it is peaceful, transparent, and well-regulated is important for the health of the business environment.
As the 2026 elections approach, many business owners are hopeful for gains, but also watching closely for signs of trouble.
