Chris Jones
asked
Helen C. Epstein:
Not really a question as such, just to say I was due to visit Uganda with my mother in law, a retired GP who had been to Uganda as a med student in the 1960's and back again as a visitor/junior doctor. Your book was given to me as a gift. I found it completely astonishing and a complete revelation. I guess most African countries have similar post colonial horror stories. What has the reaction been from the Uganda?
Helen C. Epstein
Dear Chris,
Thanks for this. In fact, most African countries aren't horror stories at all. Much of southern and western Africa has been at peace since the end of the Cold War. Around 1990, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia and other countries began holding multiparty elections, releasing political prisoners and freeing up the media. These countries, though not with out problems (like corruption, an affliction everywhere) have not descended into the bloody mayhem seen in the eastern and central African autocracies (Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia etc). In other words, democracy, for all its faults, actually works in Africa.
Books that are critical of the Museveni regime are usually censored in Uganda, so as far as I know, the book is not available there. Those who have read it tell me they like it, but I suspect they are afraid to talk about it with others.
Thanks for this. In fact, most African countries aren't horror stories at all. Much of southern and western Africa has been at peace since the end of the Cold War. Around 1990, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia and other countries began holding multiparty elections, releasing political prisoners and freeing up the media. These countries, though not with out problems (like corruption, an affliction everywhere) have not descended into the bloody mayhem seen in the eastern and central African autocracies (Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia etc). In other words, democracy, for all its faults, actually works in Africa.
Books that are critical of the Museveni regime are usually censored in Uganda, so as far as I know, the book is not available there. Those who have read it tell me they like it, but I suspect they are afraid to talk about it with others.
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