Why Uganda has moved from hope to despair
Uganda’s
post-independence history has been marked by alternating phases of
hope and despair. The 1960s represented a period of hope as the
country transitioned from colonial rule to independence. Apart from
some political hiccups in the second-half, Ugandans enjoyed better
quality education, healthcare, nutrition, housing, transport,
clothing, jobs and improved opportunities for all. There was hope for
better democracy and national unity.
The
decade of the 1970s pushed Uganda into a political, economic, social
and environmental depression caused in part by the Cold War conflicts
between the forces of Capitalism and Communism and Amin’s
inappropriate policies after the overthrow in 1971 of a civilian
government with external involvement.