BP111: Citizen perceptions of democracy in Uganda: The growing gap between expectations and realities

This bulletin focuses on the extent to which public concerns pertaining to democracy and human rights may contribute to Ugandans’feelings that their country is headed in the wrong direction. While Ugandans express a strong preference for democratic institutions and practices and a majority of respondents express high levels of satisfaction with the current state of democracy and human rights in Uganda, the survey also demonstrates that a considerable gap has emerged between citizens’ expectations of democracy and the realities on the ground in Uganda. This pattern is also present, though less pronounced, with regard to respect for human rights. This growing gap between the expectations of citizens and the realities in Uganda raises both concerns but possibly hope about where the country is headed.