Ethnic and Political Diversity in Uganda

Ethnic and Political Diversity in Uganda

central themes to the knowledge programme

Tags: Uganda, Promoting Pluralism
Additional tags: Ethnic diversity

Uganda is an East-African country, bordered by Sudan in the north, Kenya in the east, Lake Victoria as natural border and Tanzania in the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. With a population of more than 31 million people, the country is the home of over 40 ethnic groups. It is thus not surprising that the people of Uganda think of ethnic diversity when speaking about ‘pluralism’.
There is, however, one other important line of thinking when it comes to pluralism in Uganda. To many, ‘pluralism’ refers first of all to the transition from the non-party system of President Museveni to the multi-party system in 2006. Pluralism then implies the space given by the Ugandan government to political parties and their activities. The ethnic dimension of pluralism on the one hand and the political pluralism on the other, together constitute the Promoting Pluralism Knowledge Programme in Uganda.

Ethnicity, identity and nationalism in Uganda

Over 40 ethnic groups live in Uganda and they all belong to certain regions of the country. The Baganda form the largest group, comprising almost 17% of the population and live in the south. Originally, Uganda had four kingdoms that enjoyed a certain level of autonomy under British colonial rule. The Buganda Kingdom was one of these, apart from the Kingdoms of Bunyoro, Toro and Ankole. Other important ethnic groups are Ankole (8%), Iteso (8%), Basoga (8%,) Bakiga 7%, Banyarwanda (6%), Langi (6%), Bagisu (5%), Acholi (4%), Lugbara (4%).

None of these ethnic groups constitutes a majority, thus limiting the ability of one group to control the others. However, inter-ethnic conflicts occur, though not on a large scale. An example are the repeating clashes between the Karamojong and other groups over cattle. Ethnicity does play a role in the protracted conflict in northern Uganda, where the Lord Resistance Army, lead by Joseph Kony, has committed violence since 1986. This conflict is, however, not a purely inter-ethnic conflict.

The most prominent cleavage is the one between the north and south of Uganda, or between the people from the north and the Baganda from the south. The history of this divide goes back to pre-colonial times, but was worsened under colonial rule. The British stimulated economic and political activities in the south of Uganda and especially among the Baganda. They invested in infrastructure and education. The south has therefore grown wealthier. The Acholi from the north, comprising 4% of the population, produced raw materials for the south and served in the army.

Apart from socio-economic cleavages, the ethnic groups are different in how they have participated in the political rule of the country after independence in 1962. The Baganda have traditionally delivered the political rulers of the country and are therefore often perceived as the dominating elite.

Successive governments did not address the issue of national identity, leaving tensions between ethnic groups for what it was worth. They were often preoccupied with maintaining their positions and fighting their pre-successors. Moreover, each president seemed to favour particular ethnic groups, not in the least one’s own. Uganda is thus struggling with fragmentation over ethnic lines and lacks a sense of nationalism.

Political pluralism

President Yowero Museveni came to power in 1986, aided by his National Resistance Army (NRA). Seemingly to avoid tensions, he severely restricted political party activities and created a non-party system. The NRA was now named the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Only in 2005, after a constitutional referendum, Uganda changed to a multi-party system. Museveni again won the elections in February 2006.

Various civil society organisations claim that the political space for pluralism is declining, due to Museveni’s wish to stay in power.

Focus of the knowledge programme

In the start-up phase, the Promoting Pluralism Knowledge Programme in Uganda concentrates on pluralism and intolerance, on regional differences in socio-economic conditions and relations to ethnic identity, on national identity, and on the role of patronage. The first mapping studies are currently in process and will be published on this website in May 2009. The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) is the local lead partner that oversees the studies. Together with Hivos and Kosmopolis, CCFU identifies key issues that will be elaborated from 2009-2010.