Progress towards Democracy in Africa: Uganda as a Case Study

Abstract

In recent years there has been considerable progress made by many African states towards more democratic systems of government. This is partly because of international pressure, where foreign aid, whether it is from the World Bank or IMF, or from donor states, is often made conditional upon ‘good governance’, which is measured by, among other things, progress towards democracy and the better observance of human rights. This progress also, results from internal pressures within African countries, especially where technology has vastly improved knowledge and information about world-wide movements towards democracy. Examples of ‘people power’ in Eastern Europe, the Philippines or Indonesia, and scenes of mass protest in many countries have increased African awareness of the power of these movements. The mainspring of African aspirations for democracy, however, comes from Africans themselves, tired of the dictatorial and corrupt regimes of the decades since the 1960s, and determined to force a change. Many of the old leaders have gone, some having been swept away by revolution or civil war, a recent example being President Mobutu of Zaire. In other countries, where leaders cling to the older oligarchic or elitist forms of rule, as in Kenya under President Moi or Zimbabwe under President Mugabe, patience is wearing thin and protest is mounting in favour of more democratic systems.

My thanks are due to Dr J. Katalikawe, of the Law Faculty, Makerere University, Kampala, who has collaborated with me on other publications in this area.