DCH Uganda: Recent Episodes
TheCitizenReport
DCH Uganda is a podcast by The Citizen Report where we take an in depth look at themes revolving around Uganda and what it means to be a citizen of this country today. Data. Civics. History. Uganda.
We finally arrive at our destination: the Parish Development Model. What exactly is it and who stands to benefit from it? More importantly, why is there so much hype surrounding it? On the final episode of this series, we look at the ins and outs of the PDM, those excited about it as well as its critics. And in the end we have to ask ourselves how this poverty alleviation program will succeed where its predecessors haven't: specifically in creating a lasting tool for tackling widespread poverty in Uganda.
After the National Resistance Movement takes over Uganda, coasting on its reputation as a liberation movement for the people, it now has to keep that promise. Build a Uganda for ALL Ugandans. But how to avoid the destabilization of previous governments? They choose to turn to decentralization and roll out one program after another designed to financially empower people at the bottom of the food chain. On this episode we look at how successful or unsuccessful those programs have been, leading to the arrival of the latest one: the Parish Development Model.
After the signing of the 1900 Buganda Agreement, Uganda is formed and its eventual territories gradually come together. Britain makes the most of expoiting its new colony but the complexity of such an ethnically diverse population under one flag comes with immense challenges. Add to that a rapidly expanding educated class and the weakening of monarchica rule, the introduction of universal suffrage can only lead to one conclusion. Yet whether in the hands of Europeans or Ugandans themselves, the 20th century is a turbulent turnstile of regimes and a country of uncertain future.
Following the explorers and missionaries into the East African interior were European statesmen looking to push their home countries' interests. And while their guns and bribes worked in tandem to carve out large areas of control, it was not all without resistance as they would encounter 2 powerful kingdoms in Buganda and Bunyoro whose leaders would not so easily be run over. Hear now the stories of Mwanga II and Kabalega, who stood among the last blockades to colonial rule having its day.
While episode 1 led us through the evolution of governement from prehistoric times to present day, episode 2 takes a deep look at what was going on in thr East African interior preceding the arrival of colonialism. We look at which kingdoms dominated the era and investigate what happened to the mighty Chwezi Dynasty.
As we try to understand Uganda's new Parish Development Model, the questions pile up and it seems only right that we'll have to dive all the way back in time to understand how the idea of government originated and evolved over millenia.