In Capt. Mukula’s opinion, raising the bar to require at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) will strengthen the quality of leadership at national and district levels.
Former National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leader for the Eastern Region, Capt. Mike Mukula has suggested that a review in the minimum education requirements for aspirants for parliamentarians, district chairpersons and mayors be reviewed and amended in the spirit of ensuring capable leadership.
Mukula noted that the requirements of a senior six certificate is no longer sufficient for leaders with the responsibility of interpreting complex policy statements, scrutinizing the budget and providing legislative oversight.
He said, “Time has come for Parliament to review and amend the minimum constitutional qualifications for MPs, LCV Chairpersons, and Mayors; with Uganda’s changing demographics and increasing governance demands, a senior six certificate is no longer sufficient for leaders who must interpret complex policy statements, scrutinize budgets and provide legislative oversight”, he observed.
In Capt. Mukula’s opinion, raising the bar to require at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) will strengthen the quality of leadership at national and district levels, and he is of the view that such a reform aligns with the spirit of Article 80, of ensuring capable leadership, and promotes merit, competence, and informed decision making.
Mukula, who posted his opinion on his X handle, is of the view that Uganda needs quality, not quantity, and added that content is key for effective government and sustainable development.
In a slightly related manner, Mukula’s view rhymes with that of Mukono Central Division council speaker and parliamentary aspirant for Mukono Municipality, Allan Mawanda who recently faulted Mukono voters for voting politically fatigued leaders with nothing much to add to their needs, other than making unnecessary and often time abusive remarks.
Mawanda, in an interaction with the media recently, noted that at 529 members and rising to 557 after the 2026 elections, Uganda’s parliament is one of the biggest and that as such, it should be trimmed to an affordable, cost-effective size commensurate with the sh40m pocketed by each legislator per month in the face of more outstanding requirements in the education, health and social service sectors.
The youthful politician was irked that many MPs are only known for shouting themselves coarse on media outlets, which he said is not the type of representation that voters are yearning for in a fast-growing economy like Uganda’s.
