The Question of Ethnicity in Uganda’s Politics: Exploring the Period 1970s to 1980s and Implications for Ugandan Development

Abstract

The ethnicity debate, often known as ethnic identity politics debate, has in some manner affected the majority of third- and first-world nations. Understanding this requires a time frame of about 10 years to be able to see the trends in politics and how identities like ethnicity affect politics and hence forth development. Having analysed the period 1960 to 1970, this new period provides a further elaboration of ethnicity in politics in relation to development. This is related to the fact that voters have promised to support candidates of their own ethnicity, which has impacted politicians' effectiveness. In these situations, development has traditionally been prioritized in the regions where the ethnicity in question originates, leading to social, political, and economic inequalities between regions. It has caused the nation to fall behind in terms of inclusive growth on a larger scale. Opportunities, resources, and other elements that may propel the nation toward progress have not produced anything for the nation. . Language, song, drama, and dance are all components of ethnicity; it is also more than skin color or physical traits. It is a composite whole that represents a people's historical experience, goals, and world-view. It is the embodiment of values, institutions, and behavioural patterns. Take away a people's culture and ethnicity, and you take away their sense of direction or purpose. This has characterized the majority of African societies, if not all of them, and caused a social gap.