The Social Origins of Violence in Uganda, 1964-1985

This work examines the origins of the high levels of violence in Uganda since independence. It is a compilation and comparison of patterns and forms of violence under successive Ugandan regimes, and offers a systematic analysis of violence under the second Obote regime. Using a causal model of violence, Kasozi attributes the major causes of violence in Uganda to social inequality, the failure to develop legitimate conflict resolution mechanisms, and factors that have influenced the domain and patterns of conflict in that society (such as lack of a common language, religious sectarianism, vigilante justice, and gender inequality). He concludes the study by drawing comparisons with neighbouring countries and offering some prescriptions for alleviating the violence.