Identity Politics on the Eve of

Independence in Uganda
Evolution of political parties and their identities
 Identity Politics
 Identity politics is based on shared attributes of primordial nature I.e.
unchanging and fixed, age old, natural such as; race, ethnicity, religion,
sex, language, region and the like.
 As opposed to say economic class or secular ideology politics which is
based on shared attributes of a changing nature.
 The difference between class politics and identity politics is that in the
latter case an individual or groups of individuals can easily change.
Recruitment into the party or political association/affiliation is based on
interests and values of a changing nature.
 In identify politics and individual is more less born into that particular
identity and it is not easy to change. In identity politics you join because
you more less naturally belong not because of interests but because you
belong
 But there are overlaps and therefore at times class and identity politics
are not mutual exclusive
 Political Party formation in Uganda
 At independence there were three main parties i.e. Democratic
Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Kabaka Yekka
(KY).
 However there had been other political parties before the above 3.
There was Uganda National Congress (UNC) the first national
political party to be formed in Uganda. It was founded in 1952 and
led by I.K Musazi and one decade (ten Years) before Independence.
 However, this party and it’s founder did not become a leader at
Independence because of the realities of Uganda’s realities.
 In most other African countries the fathers of political parties
became presidents or prime ministers at Independence but Uganda.
 This among other reasons is because of the unique history of
Uganda
 Central of these factors is identity politics and the legacy of colonial
rule
 The Major factors that shaped political
contestations on the eve of Ind
• Religion. Political affiliation was based on ones
religious affiliation. The Roman Catholics were
generally DP Euphemistically referred to as Diini ya
Papa. The UPC were referred to as United protestants
of Canterbury. These euphemisms best capture the
trend of political mobilisation and affiliation.
• As for KY it is clear it was a tribal based party. It was a
Buganda monarchist party but mainly supported by the
protestants and the Mengo establishment.
• This now is what we mean by identity politics
• Politics based on primeval sentiments and emotions
 Factors continued
• Colonial legacy. The politics of indirect rule had divided Uganda
along ethnic lines (read Karugire, a political History)
• Religion had equally polarised Uganda along religious lines (read
as above)
• Colonialism had also racialised economy and employment
opportunities along the same lines hence racial politics at
independence.
• Uganda was highly polarized at independence so much so that
whereas before 1958 Ugandans were demanding for independence
by 1958 they were demanding that independence be postponed to
enable African close the gaps
• That is the sense in which it is sometimes claimed Uganda got
Independence on a silver platter
• It is not wholly tried
 Other factors that delayed political
awakening
• Besides Religion, ethnicity and indirect rule that led to
delayed political awakening was nature of society. Uganda
is highly fragmented along linguistic and ethnic groups
• Uganda was and still is a poor country
• Ugandans were and are still rural dwellers who hardly
interact
• Uganda was not a settler economy so Ugandans did not
come face to face with colonial discrimination on land
alienation
• The Buganda persistent demand for a separate nation
diverted the attention of self determination efforts
• Religious factionalism also diverted the attention of
 Questions for recapitulation

1. Why was there delayed political awakening

in Uganda by 1962?
OR
2. Examine the politics of Identity that
characterized the decade of pre- independence
Uganda between 1952 and 1962