Some social and economic implications of paternalism in Uganda

IT is a commonplace that British government in Uganda was, from its inception, essentially one of benevolent paternalism—just rule by kindly parents. It is also evident that, particularly in the final decade before independence, the dilemma of this policy lay in its conflict with a growing realization that the children would soon come of age. The political aspects of this dilemma are familiar. Its social and economic implications are perhaps less clear.