Constitutionalism, Democratisation and Militarism in Uganda

Abstract

The paper analyses the extent to which constitutionalism and democratization have played out in Uganda and whether militarism has interfered with the sustainability of constitutionalism and democratization, leading to indiscriminate suppression of human rights of individuals and groups in the country. This analysis is done through a historical trajectory. The paper opens up with an introduction detailing Uganda’s political landscape; it explains the concept of democratization next and discusses how militarism has influenced constitutionalism and democratization in Uganda. The paper concludes by noting that constitutionalism and democracy can guarantee human rights but the involvement of the military and security forces in managing civilian activities has tended to undermine this in Uganda. The involvement of security forces in Uganda politics has been right from the first government and even today there are stories reported about the security and military officials acting extra-judiciary. It is stressed in this paper that democracy requires the people to participate in their political governance freely and a legitimate government requires the consent of the people but not the manifestation of authority.