Ugandans and their governments have attempted – since independence in 1962 – to transform their economies and societies to improve the quality of their lives, live in peace and security with one another and enjoy their human rights including the right to elect their representatives and hold them accountable. They have attempted development planning, ugandanization – by expelling foreigners – nationalization and privatization of the economy, have worked abroad and diversified exports to earn adequate foreign exchange to import technology and modernize the economy. On the political front they have attempted multi-party and no-party political systems with a view to finding a formula appropriate to Uganda’s diverse interests and past experience.
After nearly 50 years of experimentation, Ugandans are beginning to feel they have been riding on a wrong bus. They are at a crossroads wondering which turn to take as they enter the second decade of the 21st century. Against this background, it may be worthwhile to review Europe’s development experience and adopt lessons – if any –relevant to Uganda.
The development of Europe was driven by many factors including the emergence of the middle class and revolutions in agriculture, population, industry, commerce, transport, politics, scientific thinking and western values.
The emergence of the middle class paved the way for social and institutional changes including the elimination of feudal and political constraints. Political turmoil and instability were replaced by democracy and a spirit of tolerance which together promoted an enabling environment for scholarship and business venture – the growth of merchant and financial classes and the flourishing of economic activities and scientific innovations.
For example, the elimination of serfdom, the unification of Britain as a nation-state and the forging of a British identity underpinned the process of development. Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89, Britain introduced a parliamentary system of governance and converted absolute monarchy into a constitutional head of state.
In the field of agriculture major changes took place that increased productivity, improved storage and promoted processing and provided winter fodder that reduced the slaughter of livestock for lack of grass. Reforms in land tenure and use reinforced by technological innovations like crop rotations reduced land under fallow and improved productivity by enriching the soil through nitrogen-fixing mechanism. The application of manure previously used as a source of energy improved productivity as well. Improved farming equipment and the replacement of oxen by more powerful horses made considerable improvement in agricultural transformation.
Livestock, previously grazed in pasture began to be kept in stables and fed on new forage like clover and turnips introduced under the crop rotation system. In Holland milk production increased four times in the second half of the 18th century.
Increased publication of these innovations and improved transport helped in the distribution of knowledge and transport of agricultural products from centers of production to those of consumption.
The availability of food through domestic production and imports from the new world contributed to rapid population growth. The revolutions in population and agriculture paved the way for the industrial revolution by providing food and labor. Merchant entrepreneurs and landlords founded factories, created jobs for thousands of workers who – through increased effective demand for goods and services – promoted the diversification of the economy, increased trade and introduced the division of labor and the associated increased productivity as popularized by Adam Smith using the example of the pin factory.
Then came the new scientific and philosophical thinking represented by a new notion of human society, the universe and a new value system. This new class of thinkers was based in Netherlands, Britain and France. The philosophers developed the concepts of reason and natural laws that led to the development of social contract, rule by the majority and observance of human rights. John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau stressed that all human beings are born equal, entitled to perfect freedom and an uncontrollable enjoyment of all rights. Yet they were in chains everywhere, warning that absolute power was inconsistent with civil society.
Newton presented the universe as a secure and harmonious system and a principal promoter of human advancement. Mathematics became a practical tool in everyday life leading to collaboration between scholars and practitioners.
These factors individually or in concert made Europe develop. Do Ugandans and their government have the will and the determination to emulate this development model?