Formation and impact of political parties in 1950s up to independence (1962): Lessons for democracy.

Abstract

There is no doubt that the time to independence was both exciting and confused. It was exciting because it carried hope for independence but it was confused because the road map to independence after a long time of colonial rule was haphazard. There were a lot of expectations and ideals but it was also an opportunity lost for reasons not entirely of Ugandans alone abut also of the colonisers. From the conceptual level of ideas like democracy, political parties and Constitutionalism to the practice of these ideas, a lot needed to be clarified and structures and institutions need to be built and nurtured in preparation for self-rule. But it was not the case. The consequence of all this messed up Ugandans up to independence and beyond. It is a legacy we continue to grapple with. Let us revisit these concepts so as to get sense out of them.