Economics and economic research in Uganda during the Amin period

AMIN CLAIMS THAT EXPULSION OF THE ASIANS, DISMISSAL OF THE BRITISH, AND OTHER ACTIONS HAVE GIVEN UGANDA ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. ACCORDING TO THIS PAPER, SOME OF HIS CLOSEST FORMER ASSOCIATES BELIEVE HE HAS ALL BUT DESTROYED UGANDA"S ECONOMY AND DEVASTATED ITS INSTITUTIONS. DISCUSSED ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, UGANDA"S BALANCE OF PAYMENTS SITUATION, AND EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME. INFLATION AND THE COST OF LIVING HAVE INCREASED. THE ARMY HAS BEEN THE PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARY OF AMIN"S ECONOMIC WAR THE REPORT SAYS. INCOMPETENCY AND CORRUPTION ARE WIDESPREAD. BASIC EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES HAVE DETERIORATED. THERE IS NO IDEOLOGY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE COUNTRY CONTINUES TO BE RULED BY FIAT. IF POWER SHIFTS TO CIVILIANS IN INFLUENTIAL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS, RECONSTRUCTION MIGHT PROCEED RAPIDLY THROUGH SOME FORM OF SOCIALIZED RESTRUCTURING OF THE ECONOMY. BY HAVING SHIFTED OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF MOST PRODUCTIVE ENTERPRISES TO THE GOVERNMENT, AMIN MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY PREPARED UGANDA FOR SUCH A MOVE.