ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses contrasting socio-political systems among the three original East African Community members and how this has ruffled the bloc over the years, arising particularly from the singular position of Uganda. The central argument of the chapter is that the privileged and exalted position of Buganda Kingdom, the military government of Idi Amin and the ‘Movement’ political systems of Yoweri Museveni have been the major setbacks in the complete integration of East Africa. This is argued within the realm of the theory of intergovernmentalism, which focuses on the importance of Member States in the process of creating a regional bloc and treats national governments in particular as the primary actors in the integration process. The chapter undertakes a historical analysis starting right from the colonial period, when Britain, the colonial power exercising control in the region then, had wanted to create a federation of the three East African states but was opposed by Buganda Kingdom in Uganda. The chapter ends with the conclusion that Museveni’s ‘Movement’ system, operating under different guises from 1986 to 2019, makes Uganda politically different from Kenya and Tanzania. These differences have impeded significantly a full transition, and the development and growth of the East African integration.
