Political Uncertainty, Violence and Hope in Uganda

Book excerpt: Political Uncertainty, Violence and Hope in Uganda: A Personal Account demonstrates both the tumultuous and hopeful aspects of Uganda’s political history. Much as the first 20 years of Uganda’s independence saw politics of experimentation, intrigue, and lack of ethics, sliding the country into a journey of uncertainty and violence, the latter years saw hope and economic progress. The book first introduces the author, both as a civilian and a soldier. Chapter 2 examines Milton Obote’s social, economic, and military policies, and how they catapulted Idi Amin to power in 1971. Chapter 3 crystallizes Uganda’s political uncertainty and violence, which saw over 300,000 Ugandans murdered under Amin. Subsequent chapters describe the armed national efforts to depose Amin and Obote from power. These culminated in Museveni’s takeover from the Okello Junta in 1986. The Museveni takeover triggered a series of political oppositions and insurgencies that spanned almost 20 years. The NRA/NRM has since neutralized and defeated those insurgencies, ushering in unprecedented peace and hope that have seen Uganda recover from economic quagmire and political turmoil to a developing country. Uganda is now bracing for middle-income status, which ushers in the book’s last chapter: Is There Hope for Uganda?