Uganda: Tarnished Pearl Of Africa

Uganda, a landlocked nation in East Africa, was known during colonial times as the "Pearl of Africa," largely because of its pleasant climate and rich land. For most of the postindependence period, however, Uganda was one of the most brutal and violent nations in Africa. In 1986, a new government seized power, promising to restore internal stability and economic prosperity. Since then, Uganda has gradually become a model for other African states struggling to improve the lives of their citizens.In this broad survey, Thomas P. Ofcansky examines the political, economic, and social themes that have shaped Ugandan history. He inspects the impact of British colonial rule, investigates the emergence of the independence movement after World War II, and analyzes the factors that contributed to the collapse and decay of Ugandan society after Idi Amin's seizure of power in 1971. The author then explores the successes, failures, and prospects of Uganda's current government. In his conclusion, Ofcansky considers the difficulties facing a nation divided by ethnic, religious, and regional cleavages and argues that Ugandan leaders must work to establish a society in which all Ugandans benefit or face the possibility of a return to anarchy.

Thomas P. Ofcansky is senior analyst on East Africa for the Department of Defense.