Too often the stories coming out of Africa are bad news. There is much to concern us. The ongoing situation in Darfur where violence against refugees is re-emerging food shortages and acute starvation in countries affected by drought or insect infestation and not least the man-made disaster that is Zimbabwe. In the middle of this there is a small piece of news that shows not all the countries are in an impossible mire. Yesterday the International Monetary Fund declared one’s economy too strong for it to qualify for IMF aid any longer.
The country concerned, Uganda, is certainly not rich. Roughly 45% of the government’s budget comes from aid from richer countries. The average incoome is still less than $1 per person per day. In the north of the country a vicious rebellion still festers. The “Lord’s Resistance Army” is a sort of Christian Al-Qaeda seeking to impose a system of law based on the 10 Commandments in much the same way as those in the Muslim fundamentalists movements want to establish Sharia law. The President has had term limits abolished so that he can stand again next year, with the susp;icion he is trying to remain in power for life.
So why is the IMF moving from giving financial aid to advice and endorsing policies? This news piece gives a brief outline of the macro-economic position but there is a lot more undrlying it. Despite there being many still affected by HIV and AIDS, the epidemic is getting under control with a highly praised education scheme. Despite the smokescreen put up by the Bush administration, this include condoms in its “ABC” concept. As well as abstinence, it also emphasises responsible sexual behaviour and the use of sondoms.
The current government is also much more friendly towards expatriots returning to invest in the country. During he dark days of the rule by Idi Amin virtually the entire ethnic Asian (Indian) population were expellled and sought refuge in the UK as they were then still British citizens. For historical reasons, they were predominantly a entrepreural class within Uganda and they used their skills after they arrived penniless in the UK. Many became prosperous in Britain as they were willing to open convenience stores as a family and run them late into the night, unheard of in the UK prior to that. Others moved into manufacturing and distribution. Ironically those links are now paying off for Uganda. Families are investing back in Uganda and the traditional coffee production has been transformed with processing and packing taking place in Uganda and with direct sales to at least one UK supermarket chain.
Let’s not pretend though is a sort of neo-colonialist way that the progress is due to outside skills. It has been the investment in the Ugandan people that has enabled them to work and progress their own country. Yes outside financial investment is needed – what country is not or has not been dependant on it? There are changes that still have to be made. There is still too much corruption and rural poverty which needs to be addressed. The national budget is distorted by the need to fight the LRA rebellion. On the other hand, these are being tacckeled. The economy is getting better and growing strongly.
Let’s remeber that while natural disasters and strife and affect some countries on the continent, not all of Africa is in a hopeless state.
