According to Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary independent means, inter alia; not dependent; not subject to the control, influence, or determination of another or others; not subordinate; not depending on another for financial support; self-commanding or self-directing; bold, unstrained and controlling or governing oneself.
After the Second World War, British colonial authorities realized that time had come to involve African participation in colonial administration and to make sure that there was an orderly transfer of power to stable, pro-British governments. The innovative policies designed by Arthur Creech Jones and Andrew Cohen in 1947 represented an attempt to anticipate the growth of nationalism and as the first steps in creating a future ‘informal’ empire. These proposed initiatives were to remain confidential. London was expected to conceal its hand and to “withhold from aspiring colonial politicians the knowledge that Britain had already decided to reward them in the future with political power” (L. J. Butler 2002).
As in classical economics, an invisible British hand was going to dictate the pace of de-colonization and to select who should hold political office in an informal empire. Thus indirect rule would remain except that this time the elite would replace traditional and appointed chiefs. Under the informal empire, colonial structures would remain intact. Any attempt to digress from the colonial development path would be crushed. Those Africans that wanted to stay in power longer would maintain a stable colonial policy of growing and exporting raw materials in exchange for manufactured products and would promote British investments and use British experts.
Milton Obote was helped to become the first prime minister of independent Uganda in 1962 because the British invisible hand picked him over Ben. Kiwanuka. “The DP (Democratic Party) had grave doubts about the impartiality of R. C. Pilgram who had been appointed supervisor of elections. The DP leadership was also convinced that they were not only fighting the UPC-KY alliance but also the Colonial Office and the Church of England”(W. O. Oyugi et al., 1988).
When President Obote tried to restructure the colonial economy to be able to address the mounting economic and social challenges, the British saw this move as constituting economic instability that would hurt British investment and commercial interests. Obote’s involvement in South Africa’s politics did not please the British administration either. In 1971 he was shown the exit in disgrace while attending the British Commonwealth Summit in Singapore. “Mr. Heath [then British prime minister] was no doubt glad to see Obote removed after the strong stand he had taken at the Singapore Commonwealth Conference over the sale of arms to South Africa”(Colin Legum 1972).
Aware of Britain’s influence in Uganda’s economy and politics, Museveni who values staying in power more than anything else, realized how important it was to protect British interests. He took the following steps.
First, as demanded by Britain, President Museveni invited back all the Asians who had been expelled by Amin and returned all their properties. The Asian community is stronger in Uganda’s economy now than before it was expelled in 1972.
Second, President Museveni made Linda Chalker former British minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government one of his closest advisers. This relationship has helped to promote British investments and Britain is now the number one investor in Uganda’s economy.
Third, as reported by S. Mallaby (2004), Uganda has been relying on a team of young British economists in the most powerful ministry of finance that drives Uganda’s economy. Also Britain’s development assistance agency DFID has played a crucial role in Uganda’s economic development (K. Brock et al. 2004).
Fourth, Uganda’s NRM government has maintained a comparative advantage policy of growing, diversifying into and exporting agricultural raw materials under structural adjustment program in exchange for manufactured products a lot of them from Britain. Uganda has in the process virtually abandoned ownership of national economic policy setting for overall development (D. A. McDonald & E. N. Sahle 2002).
In return, Uganda has been showered with praises by Britain. Uganda has been described as a country with a stable economy. Britain through her ministers has expressed her pride in Uganda’s macroeconomic stability and NRM’s government achievements including in international forums. Britain has sunk a lot of aid money into Uganda much of which has lined private pockets. Britain also rewarded the NRM government with a Commonwealth Summit which made President Museveni Chairman of that body for two years.
Britain played a key role in identifying Museveni for grooming as future president of Uganda (P. Phillips 2006) and has together with many other donors sustained him in power in spite of the glaring and rapid political, economic, social and environmental deterioration. Commendations from British ministers and experts clearly reflect British support to Museveni and his government for maintaining colonial economic structures that have benefited Britain.
Under these conditions Uganda remains a dependent state politically and economically.