Uganda at Rest

Uganda is in West Africa and borders or is relatively close to several nations in disarray.  It borders Sudan and Rwanda and is in the same region as Somalia and close enough to Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and the Gulf area unrest.  In addition to being in an area of violence and unrest, Uganda had an election  this year in which the president of 25 years won another term with 63% of the vote.  As this article shows there were great concerns that the election would be a catalyst for yet another country erupting in chaos, and while Uganda has not been immune to violence recently, the election season came and went in relative calm.

The question is why the calm?  I make no claims to great insight into this question but people do not seem to mind a continuance in power if the economy is growing and there is peace in the land.  In a country where Idi Amin's rule (which was backed by Libya's Gadaffi) was basically book ended by another oppressor named Obote, it may be seen as a very great risk to change president's and parties.  To the extent that the numbers are reliable Uganda has seen annual economic growth of around 9% and all the troubles in the area have been kept out for the most part.  As one source states about the current president's (Yoweri Museneni) time in office; "Uganda began participating in an IMF Economic Recovery Program (ERP) in 1987. Its objectives included the restoration of incentives in order to encourage growth, investment, employment and exports; the promotion and diversification of trade with particular emphasis on export promotion; the removal of bureaucratic constraints and divestment from ailing public enterprises so as to enhance sustainable economic growth and development through the private sector; the liberalisation of trade at all levels."  The Devil can be in the details of some of these ideas (there is a temptation to follow a neo-Mercantilist path of protectionism) but they are dramatic steps in the right basic direction and seem to be paying off.

Maybe the United States ought to consider some of these ideas?

Brian