Uganda and the East African Community

Abstract

This chapter examines the motives behind Uganda's policy towards the East African Community (EAC), and includes the role of Uganda's President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It explains his personal interest and the country's economic concerns for regional integration in eastern Africa and it become clear that the EAC is a beneficial venture for President Museveni and Uganda's economy. The chapter reviews the EAC's history, which is linked to theoretical thoughts on the chosen analytical approach. It focuses on the case study of Uganda, and explores its history to explain how Museveni is personally linked to the region. The chapter presents Ugandan policy-making as a 'one-man band' and scrutinizes what Museveni considers to be his 'mission'. It discusses how Uganda's economic imperatives force the country to cooperate with its regional partners, and why Uganda considers the EAC to be a beneficial venture. The chapter addresses the political and social imperatives that underpin Uganda's interest in the region linked to Uganda's economic imperatives.