The Legacy of Western Colonization and the LGBTQ Rights Struggle in Uganda
“Africa Is Not Poor Because Of Colonization.”
“Africa Is Not Poor Because Of Colonization.”
That’s the sentiment
, a Senegalese entrepreneur and advocate for African business development, expressed in many of her talks, including one with Jordan Peterson.Don’t worry, this article isn’t some Jordan Peterson-esque attempt to maintain Western hegemony and capitalize off disenfranchised fuck boys with pseudo-intellectual libertarian blah blah.
Still, as someone who likes to learn, change, and tries not to argue from an ideological standpoint, I listen to people with different views than my own.
I was an art student at a North American university. In other words, “Africa Is Not Poor Because Of Colonization” is not something you’d argue if you wanted a high GPA. But don’t start thinking I’m one who believes universities dogmatize students into ultra-leftist and communist ideologies.
North American universities frequently conduct research and publish studies on topics related to capitalism, market dynamics, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Universities frequently collaborate with private corporations and businesses, establishing partnerships that promote knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and funding opportunities.
Universities may enter into sponsorship or naming rights agreements with corporations, particularly for buildings, research centers, or sports facilities.
However, I can’t deny the following quotes from my professors:
“As a white cisgender man, you must only use subversive humour on yourself. You can be self-deprecating and look for your flaws as a white man, but you do not have the right to make jokes about people less privileged than you.”
“You must call me doctor. If you use my first name, you are upholding insidious patriarchal values.”
“Before we get started, we have an important task. I would like everyone to introduce themselves with their preferred pronoun. I can’t stress the importance of this enough.”
Even though I know many North American universities are capitalist based on the influence private enterprises play in funding research, I’ve also experienced how much easier it was to get a high mark when forming arguments that can be attributed to leftist or even Marxist ideologies compared to the free market and libertarian ideologies.
If I said, “Africa Is Not Poor Because Of Colonization,” I’d likely be labelled a racist. Even though I don’t completely agree with the statement, the more time I spend speaking with Africans who have actually lived in Africa, the more I realize how much less they blame slavery and colonization than people in North America.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
You can listen to the full conversation with Tola Alade here.
Both Magatte Wade and Tola Alade believe we need to focus on entrepreneurship instead of blaming colonization if we want to decrease poverty in Africa.
“By the way, colonizing one another is humanity’s history. It just happened that Africa was the last colonized region in the world.”— Magatte Wade
For instance, Ukrainians were forced into labour and exploited by Mongols in the 13th century, used as serfs during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th-18th centuries, enslaved during the Ottoman Empire, and experienced serf-like conditions and forced labour during the Russian Empire.
No matter who and when people were enslaved, it’s undeniable that colonization caused the destruction of indigenous cultures and traditions, economic exploitation, forced labour, land dispossession, violence, and the exacerbation of ethnic tensions. We should never forget about the mutilations, rape, and other atrocities colonizers committed. They acted like monstrous pigs, not civilized men.
Yet, we also shouldn’t forget that in many countries, colonization resulted in infrastructure developments, improvements in education and healthcare, technological advancements, and legal and administrative systems.
If you want specific examples of this in the context of the Congo, I recommend reading Congo: The Epic History of a People by David van Reybrouck. Reybrouck examines the exploitation and atrocities committed during the era of King Leopold II, including the forced labour system that resulted in the deaths of millions of Congolese people. However, he also acknowledges that Congo achieved one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, but when the country finally won its independence, in 1960, its citizens included only 16 college graduates and not a single medical doctor. He then examines the rise of Mobutu Sese Seko and his authoritarian regime, characterized by corruption, repression, and economic decline.
Authoritarian regime.
If you’re into social democracy, you might point to Scandinavian countries as examples of why socialist ideas can benefit an economy. If you’re a libertarian capitalist, you might point to the failings of Venezuela and the atrocities committed under The Soviet Union. But really, the later examples point to the dangers of authoritarian regimes, which both Wade and Peterson seem to neglect when arguing their pro-free market standpoint.
Wade uses the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, as an example of someone who understands that a free market is integral to prosperity building. He wants to be the Singapore of Africa.
“The dirty mouses will say, “Yeah, you see, authoritarian!” Me, whatever, I’m only interested in the economic side.” — Magatte Wade
WHATEVER?
Arresting and harassing journalists, suppressing political opposition, and creating legal restrictions imposed on NGOs and human rights defenders are not whatever. To prove her point, she goes on to say:
“Today Singapore is richer than its ex-coloniser.”
That would be a decent argument if it were true, but The UK’s GDP is 3.131 trillion USD and Singapore’s is 397 billion USD. However, per capita Singaporeans make 72,794.00 USD and those in The UK make 46,510.28 USD. Either way, these arguments that put the free market on a pedestal without taking human rights into consideration are downright dangerous.
Wade argues that the adoption of socialist or communist ideologies by many African countries during the post-colonial era has hindered economic growth and development. She believes that these ideologies, which emphasize state control and central planning, have limited individual freedoms, stifled entrepreneurship, and led to economic stagnation.
But then why is it okay for governments that promote a free market to limit individual freedoms?
She says that in pre-colonial Africa, Africans were predominantly free marketers, as evidenced by research conducted by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey. The continent boasted sophisticated trade routes. As sub-Saharan African countries approached independence in the late 1950s to early 1960s, ideological battles emerged between the West, advocating capitalism, and the Eastern Bloc, promoting various forms of statism. Many African nations, harbouring resentment toward their colonizers, gravitated toward socialist or communist leaders. Consequently, these countries experienced limited economic freedom, ranking among the least economically free in the world.
Government-to-government aid introduced its own set of issues, as some leaders misappropriated funds for personal gain rather than benefiting their citizens. This aid was viewed as a form of new colonialism, with donors exerting influence over recipient nations. The system surrounding aid, including NGOs and consulting companies, thrived, yet the intended beneficiaries—the impoverished people—were often left behind. This cycle continues because, if poverty is eradicated, the aid system would collapse.
She’s right about many NGOs and the system surrounding aid; however, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that all Africans were free marketers, as economic practices differed.
Kingdoms and Empires: In some regions, such as the Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea) or the Mali Empire, economic systems were centralized and controlled by the ruling elites. The state or ruling classes regulated and often monopolized trade, with limited individual economic freedom.
Nomadic Communities: Nomadic communities, such as the Maasai in East Africa or the Tuareg in the Sahel region, had distinct economic systems based on pastoralism and transhumance. These societies relied on communal ownership of livestock and had unique trading practices that were not necessarily based on free markets.
Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Many hunter-gatherer societies, such as the San people (also known as Bushmen), had economic systems centred around foraging and communal sharing. These societies operated on principles of reciprocity and resource sharing, which differed from market-based economies.
Regional Trade Networks: While trade was prevalent across the African continent, including long-distance trade routes like the Trans-Saharan trade, these networks often operated within established social and political structures. They were regulated by local authorities and involved barter systems, tribute payments, and specific trade agreements, rather than purely market-based exchanges.
Plus, the assertion that most African countries ended up with socialist or communist leaders during the post-colonial era is an oversimplification.
Nations that adopted socialist or statist policies:
Tanzania. Under President Julius Nyerere’s leadership, implemented the policy of Ujamaa, which emphasized collective agriculture and communal living. The current GDP is 67.84 billion USD.
Ethiopia. Under the Derg regime led by Mengistu Haile Mariam, implemented Marxist-Leninist policies and nationalized major industries). The current GDP is 111.3 billion USD.
Mozambique. After gaining independence, the Mozambique Liberation Front, FRELIMO, implemented socialist policies, including the nationalization of industries and collectivization of agriculture. The current GDP is 15.78 billion USD.
Angola. After independence, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola, MPLA, implemented socialist policies and nationalized key sectors of the economy). The current GDP is 67.4 billion USD.
Guinea. Under President Sékou Touré, Guinea pursued a socialist agenda known as “African Socialism” with state control of the economy and collectivization efforts. The current GDP is 16.09 billion USD.
Nations that pursued mixed economies or market-oriented reforms:
Botswana implemented market-oriented policies, attracting foreign investment and focusing on diamond mining, which contributed to its economic growth. The current GDP is 17.61 billion USD.
Mauritius implemented market-oriented policies, diversified its economy, and focused on industries such as textiles, tourism, and financial services. The current GDP is 11.53 billion USD.
Ghana. After a period of socialism under President Kwame Nkrumah, shifted towards market-oriented policies in the 1980s and implemented economic reforms to encourage private investment and trade. The current GDP is 77.59 billion USD.
Rwanda. Since the genocide in 1994, Rwanda has pursued market-oriented policies, focusing on sectors such as tourism, services, and agriculture. The current GDP is 11.07 billion USD.
Kenya adopted market-oriented policies, including liberalizing trade, encouraging foreign investment, and implementing structural reforms to attract economic growth. 110.3 billion USD.
Of course, many of these countries have experienced various political changes, but the point is that “Socialism = bad, Free Market = good” is an oversimplification and ignores many other issues, ideologies, and beliefs we need to address as countries develop.
Now, what does any of this have to do with LGBTQ Rights Struggle in Uganda?
Authoritarianism.
I hope I’ve made it clear that I understand colonialism’s lingering effects are not the primary reasons for the economic difficulties in many African countries. I am not opposed to a free market and less red tape as long there are social infrastructures in place. This is not about being right-wing, left-wing, a Westerner, or an Easterner. It’s about standing up against authoritarianism and populism.
Some say it’s not the Westerners’ business to criticize Uganda’s laws and human rights issues. But it is our business because it’s our fault.
As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not one to blame colonialism for everything. Other factors, such as post-colonial governance, corruption, armed conflict, ineffective policies, global economic dynamics, and corporations raping the continent are probably more productive aspects to focus on if we want to move forward.
However, I want to get rid of the idea that LGBTQ human rights issues in Uganda are an African problem.
The influence of Western colonization on LGBTQ human rights issues in Uganda can be seen through the lens of cultural imposition and the perpetuation of social norms. During the colonial era, Western powers imposed their own values, including conservative attitudes toward sexuality.
In many pre-colonial African communities, same-sex relationships and non-heteronormative expressions of sexuality were often tolerated or accepted as a natural part of human diversity. Some cultures recognized specific roles and identities for individuals who did not conform to traditional gender norms, such as the “mudoko dako.”
A mudoko dako is an effeminate male who is considered by Langi society to be a different gender, though were mostly treated as women among the Langi in Uganda. Mudoko dako also could be found among the Teso and the Karamojan people.
Same-sex relationships and non-binary gender expressions were part of the social fabric of pre-colonial Uganda and were not universally condemned or stigmatized as they are in contemporary times.
Western influence, particularly through the introduction of colonial laws criminalizing same-sex sexual acts, played a significant role in shaping the current hostile (or downright fucked up) environment towards LGBTQ individuals in Uganda.
So, what do LGBTQ human rights violations have to do with the free market and economy?
Human Capital Approach: When LGBTQ individuals have access to education and fair employment opportunities, they can reach their full potential, contribute to the workforce, and enhance overall productivity. Treating everyone equally in the job market helps them utilize their skills and knowledge effectively.
Capabilities Approach: Granting greater rights and freedoms to LGBTQ individuals improves their well-being by expanding their opportunities to live the life they value. Having the freedom to express themselves and pursue their goals leads to a happier and more fulfilled population.
Strategic Modernization Approach: Some countries may prioritize LGBTQ rights as part of their efforts to appear more modern and successful to potential trading partners. By promoting equal rights, they aim to attract economic opportunities and foster positive international relationships.
The gayer the richer!
If you want to learn more about this, I recommend exploring the research in The Relationship Between LGBTQ Inclusion and Economic Development: Emerging Economies.
Human rights should never be whatever. You cannot put the economy before the people because the free market is nothing without free people.
This piece was originally intended for The Free Press. After expressing interest in my pieces Yuval Noah Harari: Hero and Hypocrite and Death, religion, and a Salvia Trip, they asked me to pitch two ideas. The article you just read and Navigating Global Tensions: Debunking Chomsky’s Simplistic Narratives and Embracing Complexity, comes out next Thursday. The reason they didn’t accept the pitches was that my ideas weren’t American enough and didn’t cater to an American audience.
I can see why, but what do you think? What makes my work unAmerican?
BTW, I am grateful to The Free Press for taking the time to read my work and would love to pitch to them again. This is just to get a conversation going.
Please, share your thoughts. I’m here to discuss.
Thanks for sharing! I’m interested in discussing the article with people.
Great post. Balanced and nuanced on what can be a tricky topic.
I used to work in East Africa and I eventually came to the same conclusion. Colonialism obviously has a big legacy, but it’s not the only factor. To say so let’s a lot of the corrupt politicians and authoritarian regimes there off the hook, and they do not deserve it.
At one stage, I travelled from Uganda to Rwanda. The difference between the two countries blew my mind. Ugandan cities are a lot like many other countries in the region. Hectic, crowded, rough round the edges - cheap infrastructure that is crumbling a bit in places. Rwanda was another world. Central Kigali was like being in any developed city in the world. Full street lamps everywhere, 3 different colours of cat eyes in the road. Super fast internet and shiny new office blocks everywhere. This has come at a cost of course, Kagame has become increasingly paranoid and authoritarian over the years. But you can’t deny he’s developed the country.
Considering Uganda has also had a dictator for decades and decades, Museveni, does show that bad choices are being made there.
Also, can’t believe the Free Press wouldn’t take this! This would have been great for them - a break from beating the woke drum over and over. I liked it a lot when it first came out, but seems they’ve become a bit of a one issue pony recently.