Parliamentary Democracy in Uganda: The Experiment That Failed

by Baganchwera N. I. Barungi

Overview

Parliamentary Democracy in Uganda: The Experiment that Failed explores Ugandas malaise of armed dissidents, repression of political parties, military adventurism in neighboring countries, grinding poverty in the countryside and political uncertainty arising from accumulated failure of successive regimes to cultivate a culture of peaceful transfer of power. In light of this, the democratization process envisaged at the time of independence has been frustrated. The author sets out to unravel the cause of that frustration and impasse by tracing the beginning of Ugandas political institutions, particularly the central government organs established in the last century. The new institutions and political organs were basically designed to forge Uganda ahead as a united and stable nation. An attempt is made to critically examine the foundations upon which these institutions were built. It is argued that the institutions were laid under a hostile environment of political diversity and multicultural heritage without an inbuilt balancing mechanism. Accordingly the book recounts the difficult process of nation building undertaken in Uganda, with particular emphasis on the problems encountered in reconciling the new political institutions with the entrenched conservative traditional institutions in the South of the country (the Buganda Agreement of 1900 and other agreements with the kingdoms of Ankole, Tooro and Bunyoro). The author acknowledges the contribution made by the leaders of various political parties towards the task of nation building. It was a task undertaken amidst forces of feudalism and religious animosity. They were men and women of extraordinary foresight who had a clear vision of a new independent Uganda curved out of peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds. This book provides yet another vision of the future and suggests ideas of how to overcome the political impasse that has bedeviled the country since independence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781456735906
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	05/31/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	274 KB

About the Author

Baganchwera-Barungi holds a BA (Honours) degree in Political Science, University of Delhi.He joined the Uganda Civil Service shortly before independence. He was the first Ugandan to hold the post of Clerk to the National Assembly. To prepare him for that type of responsibility, in 1962 he was attached to the British House of Commons where he undertook a course in Parliamentary Practice and Procedures. Thereafter, he served in different positions in the Public Service, including a stint in the Foreign Service as Uganda’s first Ambassador to Paris. In his capacity as Secretary to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Uganda Branch, he was able to travel extensively throughout the Commonwealth countries. Barungi is an ardent believer and advocate of political pluralism – that system of social checks and balances which alone fosters and regulates opposing forces to minimize the emergency of monopoly of power.