Democracy and Development in Uganda

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According to many scholars, democracy and development co-exist in unison, and in many cases democracy bolsters progress and growth. It may not necessarily be the same type of democracy used by the West; however, in many regards democracy consists of several basic tenets that allow for development. Therefore, if African nations want to achieve high rates of development, some level of democracy is required. African nations due to factors such as diversity and disparity between countries will vary from each country. This essay will focus on the effect political systems have impacted Uganda’s development and the role democracy played in its recent progress.

Elections have been used as the first step in democratization. However, many citizens were sorely disappointed by the individuals assumed power. As we have seen throughout history, these individuals used state funds, government assets, and natural resource revenues for personal use, which have detracted from process of independence and state building. Uganda faced many of these similar problems. However, after these recent elections it is clear to distinguish the correlation between the role democracy has played on development today, than that of the previous undemocratic governments of Uganda.

In addition to the relationship between democracy and development, there are also other indicators that can assist in economic growth and development. In these terms, geography can play a major role. This is best illustrated by Paul Collier and Jan Willem Gunning, in Why has Africa Grown Slowly. According to Collier and Gunning, most African states that are located “further from the coast or navigable rivers than in other regions and so face intrinsically higher transport costs ...

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...and development.

Works Cited

Gunning, Jan Willem, and Paul Collier. "Why Has Africa Grown Slowly." The Journal of Economic Perspectives 13.No. 3 (1999): 3-22. Prin

Ambrose, Kibuuka Wassaaka. "DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA."Ontario International Development Agency. Web. .

Nachega, Jean-Claude. "Financial Liberalization, Money Demand, and Inflation in Uganda." Sept. 2001. .

Harris, John. "Reconstruction and Poverty Alleviation in Uganda 1987-2001."Http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADK699.pdf. USAID, 2005. Web.

Reeve, Simon. "Ugandan Asians Repair the Ruins That Amin Left - News - The Independent." The Independent. 1 June 1997. Web. .

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