COLONIALISM, A GLOBAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES


Colonialism therefore contributed to the current problems associated with uneven economic development in Uganda. Kampala, for example, is now the chief destination of large- scale migration from rural areas. Many of these migrants live in unplanned, sprawling slums within or on the edges of the rapidly growing city. It is estimated that 44% of Kampala’s 1.6 million people now live in overpopulated slums. Out migration, on the other hand, is draining the economic lifeblood from many already lightly populated areas in northern Uganda.


1


A positive impact of colonialism?


It has been argued that, despite it’s faults, British colonialism helped to prepare Uganda to enter today’s global economy.


2


Symptoms of uneven development. 1


A prosperous area in Kampala – home to a ‘new rich’ business minority in the city


2 Kisenyi – one of Kampala’s many slums – is home to more than 30,000 people. Many of its people are migrants from rural areas.


●● It introduced Uganda to the English language, which is the world’s most important trading language.


●● It set up some transport connections, such as the railway line between Kampala and Mombasa.


●●


It established ‘European’-type education, which helped some Ugandans access the world of international trade.


Adjusting to a global economy When Uganda emerged from the British Empire as an independent country it was faced with the task of adjusting to a global economy. It then found itself faced with serious challenges relating to: 1 unequal and unjust trading relationships 2 international debt and problems associated with debt relief.


These challenges will be examined on the following pages.


31


Discuss this viewpoint.


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