The role of patronage in shaping Uganda's economic, social and political spheres

This paper provides an overview about the main lines of thought in contemporary literature regarding patronage in Uganda. How has patronage evolved historically? How did patron-client relationships affect economic, social and political sphere? What is the current situation? Which roles does ‘choice and reasoning’ play in the affiliations and allegiances of people in Uganda? Why do people identify and attach themselves with the religious, ethnic or political projects that they do, and how and...

The Politics of Identity: Assessing the influence of ethnicity, regionalism, religion and gender in Uganda

This paper examines the different forms of identity that Ugandans ascribe to - such as ethnicity, political affiliation, class and religion - and how they impose limits on people’s access to resources and opportunities, both individually and collectively. Author Kayiso Fulgencio identifies the civil service, the armed forces and parliament as the institutions where identity plays out most visibly in the recruitment. All of them are closely intertwined with the government of the day and politi...

National identity development. Reflections on the cases of Uganda and Tanzania

Although Ugandans share national symbols such as a flag, coat of arms, national currency and geographical territory - a strong sense of national identity is lacking amongst most Ugandans. Tanzanians, however, seem to be quite the opposite. How can this difference be explained? And has it resulted into any difference regarding inter group relations in both countries? Can the absence of a national identity explain the various ethnic and tribal conflicts in Uganda? Authors Christopher Tumwine pr...