The suppression of social freedom as an obstacle to national social development in Uganda

Abstract

The study aimed at a philosophical demonstration of the view that suppression of social freedom is a major factor that underlies the low level of social development and the undesirable state of affairs that have prevailed in Uganda. In this endeavour the study applies conceptual and descriptive analysis with deductive and inductive approaches to arrive at its conclusions. The study contends that the undesirable social state of affairs especially the political and economic ills that plagued Uganda were largely due to the suppression of the freedom and rights of the people of Uganda. The study confirms the above contention by exploring and revealing the suppression of the freedom in various forms and aspects from the onset of Uganda's political independence up to 1986. The thesis then makes a conceptual analysis of social freedom and social development respectively. Clarification on the concepts of social freedom and social development are made. Social freedom is described as a quality that facilitates the state of affairs or conditions void of unnecessary constraints on people's autonomy. Social development, on the other hand, is described as a desirable ideal social state of affairs that all people and all societies ought to aim at. The thesis then proceeds with a descriptive analysis of the political, economic and cultural historical phenomena and experience of Uganda. Only the phenomena and experience characterised by the suppression of freedom are analysed to provide the necessary empirical basis for exposition of the reality of suppression of freedom in Uganda. Subsequently, the study analyses the relationship between the concepts of social freedom and social development. It is contended that there is a strong inherent connection between the two concepts. And deducing from Uganda's historical phenomena and experience, the study asserts that the suppression of social freedom has been an obstacle to national social development and also demonstrates how the former has been an obstacle to the latter. Finally, the thesis asserts that social freedom is an essential quality that plays a facilitating role in the process of social development It concludes and recommends that social freedom (ought to) be respected, cherished and enjoyed by all Ugandans if Uganda is ever to realise higher level of social development, the desired social state of affairs, more desired living conditions and progress in all social aspects.