The Incomplete Democratic Transition in Uganda

Abstract

The proverbial winds of change that swept over sub-Saharan Africa in 1989 can be considered as part of a “third wave of democratization” that has profoundly affected the African continent. Although Africa has been generally described as having “infertile” soil for the successful implantation of democracy, multi-party democratic change is occurring. For example, in 1989, 39 of the 45 sub-Saharan African countries had authoritarian forms of rule,1 whereas, by early 1995, 31 of the 45 sub-Saharan countries held democratic presidential or parliamentary elections.2 There have, however, been significant democratic reversals, and Africanists are now questioning the sustainability of these traditions and lamenting their lack of consolidation. In several cases economic and political liberalization and the “rebirth of civil society” have accompanied this dramatic change of events. But there is little conclusive evidence that economic and political liberalization, and the existence of a civil society, will necessarily lead to democratic consolidation.