A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Contextualizing citizenship in Uganda (2020)

Alava, H., Bananuka, T. H., Ahimbisibwe, K. F., & Kontinen, T. (2020). Contextualizing citizenship in Uganda. In K. Holma, & T. Kontinen (Eds.), Practices of Citizenship in East Africa : Perspectives from Philosophical Pragmatism (pp. 57-72). Routledge. Routledge Explorations in Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429279171-5

JYU authors or editors

Alava, Henni
Ahimbisibwe, Karembe
Kontinen, Tiina

Publication details

All authors or editors: Alava, Henni; Bananuka, Twine H.; Ahimbisibwe, Karambe F.; Kontinen, Tiina

Parent publication: Practices of Citizenship in East Africa : Perspectives from Philosophical Pragmatism

Parent publication editors: Holma, Katariina; Kontinen, Tiina

ISBN: 978-0-367-23296-2

eISBN: 978-0-429-27917-1

Journal or series: Routledge Explorations in Development Studies

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 57-72

Number of pages in the book: 258

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429279171-5

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72156

Abstract

According to the pragmatist framework of this book, practices in which citizenship is constructed are embedded in certain environments and, accordingly, current citizenship habits have been formulated in the course of a continuity of experiences and in interaction with existing circumstances (Holma & Kontinen, this volume). In this chapter, we provide a short overview of Uganda in so far as it is relevant for understanding the experiences and practices of citizenship: both vocal political engagement and the everyday processes of addressing matters of local importance. In contemporary Uganda, citizenship is manifest, on the one hand, in the upfront contestation and mobilization of visible opposition figures with increased popular support, and, on the other, continuously in mundane everyday life where problems are solved and shared issues are addressed together. The chapter thus contextualizes subsequent empirical chapters on gendered citizenship (Ndidde et al.), localized citizenship (Ahimbisibwe et al.), subdued citizenship (Alava) and critical education (Bananuka & John) in Uganda, and provides inspiration for reflecting on prevalent liberal ideas of citizenship in light of lived experience of politics in the country. The chapter proceeds as follows: an overview of Ugandan history is followed by discussion of some of its contemporary characteristics, after which we conclude with reflection on the multiple spaces for citizenship learning in Uganda.

Keywords: citizenship; civil society; political participation

Free keywords: Uganda

Fields of science: