OPINION: Understanding Uganda’s history is crucial for its social-economic transformation – Martha Kyosimire

By Martha Kyosimire

In his speech on World Teachers’ Day 2024, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni emphasized our mission as a nation: achieving the socio-economic transformation of our people by moving away from a traditional, pre-capitalist non-money economy to a money economy, where society is composed of a middle class and a skilled working class.

As Frederick Engels once said, “The production of means to support human life, the exchange of goods produced is the basis of every social order.” Society does not change or develop by magic; it follows certain laws that we must understand. Man must labor to better himself, creating a surplus, which forms the foundation for social-economic transformation.

H.E. Museveni echoed these sentiments in the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture on August 31, 2017, when he highlighted the plight Africa has faced over the past 500 years. Despite Africa’s vast potential, it has been subjected to slave trade, genocide, colonialism, and neo-colonialism, leaving it at the bottom of the world’s socio-economic ladder. Museveni asked, “How did this come about? How could the first be the last and for so long?”

Martha Kyosimire is a communications officer at GCIC – State House.

Colonial influence, particularly through religion, contributed to this, with teachings such as “Blessed are the poor, for they will inherit the Kingdom of God.” Karl Marx defined religion as “the opium of the people,” implying that while it can be harmless as a sedative, it becomes dangerous if it stifles state challenges. Over time, these colonial values influenced Africans to see themselves as inherently inferior and in need of external governance, perpetuating a colonial mindset.

Uganda’s vision is rooted in its Bush War legacy, which saw the NRA/NRM leadership establish the 10-Point Program to provide national direction. After coming to power, the NRA refined this program into core points that emphasize a Private Sector-Led, Export-Oriented Strategy alongside Pan-Africanism. These goals underline that Uganda’s problems are best understood within Africa’s broader struggles.

To comprehend Uganda’s development challenges, we must look beyond surface issues and consider root causes. Often, people attribute the country’s challenges solely to its leadership, but a deeper analysis reveals that they stem from historical and structural issues, not just personalities.

Looking back at Uganda’s turbulent political history, particularly the first two decades post-independence, the era was marked by ethnic politics, state repression, and extrajudicial killings. Amin’s dictatorship saw the banning of political parties and over 300,000 lives lost, an era of suffering that many are grateful to have moved beyond.

One critical step toward progress could be a shared language. If we all spoke one language in Uganda, we could accelerate socio-economic transformation. Kiswahili, which is spreading across East Africa and other parts of Africa, holds promise for bridging divides and fostering unity. Outsiders like H.M. Stanley saw Africa’s similarities, yet, Africans have often focused on divisions.

Today, Uganda enjoys peace and stability, thanks in large part to the organized NRM army, which maintains order domestically and can contribute to peace efforts regionally. This stability is something many take for granted, particularly the younger generation, Gen-Z, who make up the largest demographic. Educating them about our history could foster a deeper appreciation for the role each of us plays in safeguarding and advancing our nation.

Uganda’s current strategic vision unfolds in four phases: Social-Economic Transformation, Democracy, Pan-Africanism, and Patriotism/Anti-sectarianism. This NRM ideology seeks to elevate Uganda to a first-class nation by 2040.

A deep understanding of Uganda’s history is vital to achieving social and economic transformation. By learning from the past, Uganda can work toward a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all citizens. After all, socio-economic transformation reflects society at a particular stage of historical development.

Martha Kyosimire is a communications officer at GCIC – State House.