Non-party Politics and Democ ratization Process in Uganda (1986-2009).

Abstract

The main purpose of this  paper is to examine how env -ironmental pressures, internal  and external affect the develop ment of democratization pro- cess in Uganda. It is of interest  to investigate whether or not  the Ugandans have achieved  appropriate levels of free and  fair elections, independence of  judiciary, respect for human  rights and civil liberties, freed om of press, and the effecti- veness of civil society's organi -zations.  

Leaders and Supporters of  National Resistance Movement  argue that the non-party system  during the period 1986-2006 is  an appropriate system for  Uganda, since the country is  divided into many ethnic, religious and sectarian groups.  Despite that, there was a radical  shift in the Ugandans' view of  multi-party system as while the voters rejected multi-party system  in the first vote in June 2000, they  welcomed overwhelmingly the  opening of political space for  multiparty system in the second  vote in July 2005. This may raise  many questions dealing mostly  with the nature and causes of this  rapid change.  

The findings support the  hypothesis of the study since  the country's experience with  democratization does not refle-ct a genuine desire and will on  the part of decision-makers in  Uganda. It is no more than a  short-term response to external  pressure. Accordingly, Uganda  did not achieve a real improve-ement in all aspects of political life.