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Paper short abstract:

On radio, listeners express expectations towards leaders, who invoke qualities that should prove they are fit to rule. This paper scrutinizes these arguments and analyzes the conflicting principles and repertoires of accountability which they reflect and contribute shaping in contemporary Uganda.

Paper long abstract:

During interactive radio talk shows, listeners often express expectations concerning their leaders. Rulers have to persuade of their legitimacy to rule, and deploy arguments that, according to them, justify their position. This paper scrutinizes these grievances and arguments and analyzes the principles that they reflect and contribute shaping in contemporary Uganda. It is, thus, an opportunity to seize in the making and historicize the ordinary doctrines according to which leaders are required to account. Radio promotes "suitable" ways of interacting for rulers and ruled that are, however, contested, revealing conflicting conceptions of representative politics, responsible leadership and civism, between journalists, leaders and listeners.

The paper shows how the figure of an MP as a direct provider of wealth, and, more unexpectedly, of a "pedagogic MP" -who insists on his role as an "explainer" of politics, creating an imagined citizenry in demand of enlightened leadership-, are dialogically sketched. It shows how "participatory" arenas contribute to elaborate particular conceptions of political representation. Whereas they are often encouraged to "ask questions", and to stick to topics labeled as "developmental", some callers don't respect this format of dialogue. On the one hand, some contest the division of political roles implied by the idea of the "pedagogic MP" by assuming themselves the mantle of intellectual excellence. On the other hand, political leaders often complain of being "insulted" on the radio. By making unexpected comments, listeners force leaders to justify themselves on alternative repertoires, and remind of older controversies around rudeness in Central Uganda's politics.