Rather than continuing to cling to the wishes of modernization theorists who claim that ethnicity is a hindrance towards modernization, manifested by Samora Machel's observation that "for the nation to live, the tribe must die", we take the other view, that it is time to acknowledge what Bogumil Jewsiewicki calls the distinctive duality of ethnicity. Both as a “cultural identity, and consciousness laden with possibilities for political mobilization, and as a discourse which arranges collective memory as a basis for political action”. This is what we federalists are counting on to redeem our country. If Uganda as a nation is to survive and flourish, the tribe must be recognised and promoted. Doing so will not coalesce in the uncivil nationalism that undermines the legitimacy of the state. In fact, denials about the centrality of ethnicity have inhibited the formation of the broader trans-ethnic regimes, which has created the environment for internal civil war.

Table 1: Proposed 13 States/Provinces under Federalism in Uganda

With creative constitution making in Uganda, modernity and national cohesion can be achieved without sacrificing ethnicity. We believe that Federalism has the potential and prospect to contribute to such a process. It sets out to accommodate ethnic differences - difference in the essence of true equality, which is the premise on which a new political re-arrangement in Uganda’s political system should be founded if we hope to avoid unnecessary internal wars. It may help to re-affirm the civil and political rights of individuals, in that it recognises and celebrates our rich ethnic diversity. This is more acute now in Uganda where access to the state and its patronage resources remains the key to the accumulation of wealth. We should be broadening, rather than, narrowing the opportunities to gain access to the diverse resources of the state and its agents. We are optimistic that Federalism has the potential to ensure that all regions irrespective of who is in power in Kampala will have their fair share of the national cake.

This is why we agree that while civil society as a force for social and political renewal has promise in Uganda; it would be unrealistic if it failed to include the dense networks of indigenous institutions. We recognize that ethnicity pervades all sphere of social, political and economic life, hence our pragmatic recommendation that it ought to be openly accommodated for the sake of democratic renewal; national unity; ethnic harmony; cohesion; political transformation, but above all peace and tranquility so we can get on with the business of economic development in Uganda. This is why we propose thirteen (13) Federal units in the country as the best way forward for our beloved country, Uganda.

Back to Top

1. Berman, B.: “Ethnicity, Patronage and the African State: The Politics on Uncivil Nationalism”
2. Chabal, P. and Deloz, J-P.: “Of Mask and Men: Questions of identity’’
3. Crawford, Y.: “Evolving Modes of Consciousness: Ethnicity and Nationalism”