Election vibes: How Uganda and Japan Pulse Differently.

Growing Up with Political Curiosity

As I transitioned into a teenager, I found myself engaged in internal and foreign affairs discussions with my father. I don’t remember where the interest in such issues began. Perhaps, watching the news together over the years and discussing a wide range of topics made me pay attention to political issues, both within Uganda and across Africa.

Encountering Japanese Political Culture

When I moved to Japan for graduate school, I grew curious about their process of forming policies and making decisions. I could see and feel firsthand that many public services were working seamlessly. Around 2018, my curiosity got the best of me, and I began making time to watch live parliamentary debates on YouTube.

Although my Japanese wasn’t strong, I figured that listening would help me improve my language skills. What a treat it was! The members discussed pertinent issues like elderly welfare, the declining birth rate, disaster preparedness, and foreigner-related policies. Both opposition and ruling parties were passionate and serious about the topics they raised. Along the way, I even found favorite members of parliament (MPs), one of whom recently rejoined the cabinet as a minister. Later, I was told by a labmate that some parliamentary debates were at times scripted and rehearsed. Whether this was true or not, I found that at least they argued about issues meant to genuinely move the nation forward.

Nonetheless, three incidents in Japanese politics stand out to me. The first was when a legislator was accused of spending “too much money” building “unnecessary infrastructure” in his constituency. My jaw dropped; I wished we had such issues in Uganda. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for a member of parliament (MP) to be accused of doing “too much” for their people?

The second was a scandal where a former justice minister gave bribes to help his wife secure an upper house seat in Hiroshima prefecture. Corruption and bribery are not things you normally encounter in Japanese daily life, so hearing that it exists in politics was a bit disappointing. Allegedly, the bribes were 100,000 yen (about $1,000) per individual, handed out in envelopes. This truly shocked me, drawing from Chinua Achebe’s words: "If you are to eat a frog, make sure it is fat and juicy." I don’t condone corruption and all its cousins, but I was struck that lawmakers would risk their careers for money that even a student like me wouldn’t consider significant. Some might argue that bribes in Uganda can be way less, which is true, but the living situations are different.

The third memorable event was the government’s pandemic response. When COVID-19 hit, authorities decided to give financial assistance and distribute masks (famously known as "Abenomasuku"). Watching parliamentary debates, I noticed the discussions weren’t about who should get financial support, but rather about how much and how quickly it should be realized. Eventually, every resident in Japan, regardless of nationality, received 100,000 yen (about $1,000) for groceries and bills. Though Japan’s foreign population was only about 2.7 million at the time, there was no discrimination in this support. Of course, every foreigner in Japan has faced some form of discrimination, but overall, such stories are less common than those I hear from friends in other countries.

Observing Ugandan Political Culture

As Japan prepares for the House of Councilors elections on Sunday, 20th July (members serve a six-year term), Uganda is gearing up for the 2026 General Elections. The president, parliamentarians, and local government councilors will be chosen for a five-year term. In fact, one of my aunties is standing for Woman MP in one of the newly formed districts in the Bunyoro sub-region.

One of the first signs of the election season in Uganda is the sound of kadodi drums, cars equipped with loudspeakers, and sometimes "queen dancers" encouraging people to support their candidates. Posters line every visible surface, sometimes even private properties. After the nomination of candidates, "official campaign" periods begin, marked by huge gatherings in marketplaces, school fields, and even houses of worship to listen to candidates’ manifestos and show support.

Grassroots campaigns, known as kakuyege in Luganda, often start before nominations and continue through the season until voting day. Though I’m not a fan of large crowds, I miss the kadodi music and the celebratory atmosphere during campaign time; a feeling of being alive that lasts until things get rowdy or police intervention turns violent.

Comparing Election Seasons: Uganda vs. Japan

I am yet to witness a campaign rally in Japan, although they do happen. However, you might find a candidate (or their representative) with a megaphone outside train stations, handing out flyers at supermarkets, or driving through neighborhoods with loudspeakers. Posters are placed only in designated areas, though I've occasionally seen them on private property. As voting day approaches, campaign activity slightly increases, but on the big day itself, you might not even realize an election is taking place. This is a stark contrast to Uganda’s electrifying election atmosphere.

Demographically, Japan’s majority voters are older adults. The youth seem disengaged from politics, even though the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18, almost a decade ago. Some cite fear of disagreement leading to an “awkward atmosphere”, lack of voter education at school, among other issues. In Uganda, on the other hand, young people are very active and vocal in politics, through social activism, standing for office, and high voter turnout.

Reflections on Political Diversity

Overall, political organization in Uganda and Japan differs greatly. The only strong similarity is multi-party activity. The top-ranking issues are shaped by culture, history, economics, geopolitics, and many other factors. Recently, some Japanese candidates from emerging grassroots parties like Sanseito have emphasized “anti-foreigner” sentiments, while in Uganda, concerns remain around public services, corruption, bribery, and police brutality. This write-up is not about evaluating political efficiency, but rather sharing observations from someone who has lived in both countries. For me, it’s always revealing to see how politics reflects a nation’s priorities, and surprising how different yet human each system can be. Have you experienced a different political system? What are your comparative thoughts? Share so that we can learn from each other.