Umbrella for Democratic Change

{{Short description|Alliance of political parties in Botswana}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox political party

| name = Umbrella for Democratic Change

| logo = Umbrella for Democratic Change logo.svg

| colorcode = {{party color|Umbrella for Democratic Change}}

| abbreviation = UDC

| leader1_title = President

| leader1_name = Duma Boko

| leader2_name = Ndaba Gaolathe

| leader2_title = Vice-president

| founder = Duma Boko

| slogan = Decent Jobs
Decent Lives

| founded = November 2012

| headquarters = Gaborone

| ideology = {{Nowrap|Social democracy{{Cite web |last=Gaofise |first=Lorato |date=16 July 2019 |title=UDC VOWS TO REDIRECT COUNTRY WEALTH |url=https://dailynews.gov.bw/news-detail/50410 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=DailyNews}}{{Cite web |date=14 February 2019 |title=Political analysts dismiss UDC? |url=https://www.thegazette.news/news/political-analysts-dismiss-udc/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=The Botswana Gazette}}{{Cite web |last=Gabathuse |first=Ryder |date=19 February 2021 |title=Will the UDC ever take over government? |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/features/will-the-udc-ever-take-over-government/news |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=Mmegi}}{{Cite web |date=2013-09-27 |title=Privatising Gaborone bus rank bitterly divides BNF and BMD |url=https://guardiansun.co.bw/News/privatising-gaborone-bus-rank-bitterly-divides-bnf-and-bmd |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Guardian Sun |language=en}}
Left-wing populism{{Cite news |last=Ntshingane |first=Bakang |date=16 August 2019 |title=Is populism surging into Botswana politics? |work=Mmegi |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/ampArticle/195496 |access-date=2 May 2023}}
Factions:
Christian left
Social liberalism
Democratic socialism
Pan-Africanism}}

| position = Centre-left to left-wing

| affiliation1_title = African affiliation

| colours = {{colour box|{{party color|Umbrella for Democratic Change}}}} Navy blue
{{colour box|#e97810}} Orange (in 2014)

| blank1_title = Coalition Partners

| blank1 = AP
BNF
BPP

| seats1_title = National Assembly

| seats1 = {{Composition bar|36|61|{{party color|Umbrella for Democratic Change}}}}

| seats3_title = Pan-African Parliament

| seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|5|{{party color|Umbrella for Democratic Change}}}}

| country = Botswana

}}

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is a centre-left{{Cite web |title=Botswana |url=https://africaelects.com/botswana/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=Africa Elects}}{{Cite web |last=Gabathuse |first=Ryder |date=2020-10-30 |title=A frustrating moment for the royal blue movement |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/news/a-frustrating-moment-for-the-royal-blue-movement/news |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Mmegi Online |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2013-09-27 |title=Privatising Gaborone bus rank bitterly divides BNF and BMD |url=https://guardiansun.co.bw/News/privatising-gaborone-bus-rank-bitterly-divides-bnf-and-bmd |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Guardian Sun |language=en}} to left-wing{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/botswanas-2019-election-a-baptism-of-fire-for-democracy/a-50914078|date=2019-10-21|title=Botswana election: A baptism of fire for democracy|website=DW}} alliance of political parties in Botswana. Since the 2024 Botswana general election, the UDC has been the governing alliance of political parties. {{cite web |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2014-10-23-were-on-the-governments-hit-list-botswana-opposition-leader |title=We're on the government's hit list – Botswana opposition leader |last1=Mawarire |first1=Teldah |date=23 October 2014 |publisher=Mail and Guardian |access-date=28 October 2014}}

The UDC has campaigned on a progressive platform, advocating for a welfare state, wealth redistribution, renewable energy and democratic reforms, particularly in the electoral and judicial spheres.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-11-01 |title=Duma Boko, el abogado de derechos humanos convertido en el nuevo presidente de Botsuana |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/11/01/duma-boko-el-abogado-de-derechos-humanos-convertido-en-el-nuevo-presidente-de-botsuana/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-25 |title=Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Manifesto Highlights |url=https://www.thegazette.news/features/umbrella-for-democratic-change-udc-manifesto-highlights/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Botswana Gazette |language=en}} Since it was created as a political coalition with the primary aim of representing an alternative to the Botswana Democratic Party government, it has remained an ideologically pluralistic formation, though most of its member parties (both past and present) are positioned on the left-wing or centre-left of the political spectrum and is generally considered a social democratic alliance. Some analysts have labeled the alliance and its discourse as "left-wing populism" or "democratic socialist." UDC members, including UDC Leader Duma Boko himself, have expressed opposition to both capitalism and socialism, advocating instead for a "Third Way."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=tZnFyLkBFD0bcLRa&v=CrHL0-k76yM&feature=youtu.be |title=Duma Boko's Political Ideology |date=2016-02-08 |last=Mmegi Online |access-date=2024-11-02 |via=YouTube}}

Since its founding, the UDC's core voter base has varied in composition with shifts in the voting behavior of anti-BDP voters. However, the coalition has generally maintained strong support among the urban population—especially in the Gaborone metropolitan area—as well as among youth and the educated middle class.{{Cite news |last=Chutel |first=Lynsey |date=25 October 2024 |title=Botswana Election Won by President, Despite Rift with Predecessor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/world/africa/botswana-election-mokgweetsi-masisi.html |work=The New York Times}} In the 2019 election, through its alliance with Ian Khama, heir to the BaNgwato throne, the UDC gained substantial support from voters in the Central District, a stronghold of the tribe. Much of this support was retained in the 2024 election.