Policy Makers or Rubber Stamps? The Challenges Regarding Legislative Independence in East Africa
This review essay considers the evolution of three national legislatures in East Africa since the year 2000 in comparative perspective, with a focus on Uganda. In this period, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya have all experienced political transformations, including moves towards multi-party democracy in Uganda, a consolidation of power by the executive in Rwanda, and a new constitutional trajectory in Kenya. This essay considers whether these structural changes have moved each of the three countries towards a more powerful parliament which can stand up to and resist powerful executives. These three countries represent an almost perfect continuum in terms of democratic sensibilities, from more democratic (Kenya) to more authoritarian (Rwanda).This essay draws on literature in the field, primary source documents such as the countries' constitutions, news reports, as well as fieldwork in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda conducted in 2009 and 2010. This paper synthesizes much of the recent literature in the field in an effort to determine if any regional patterns have emerged in three countries that are trade partners, and fellow members of the East African Community. A consensus is developing that the Ugandan parliament is effective and powerful, but constrained and limited by a determined permanent executive. Very little is known about the operations of Rwanda's parliament, but it does not seem to serve as an effective check on the executive. Parliament has traditionally been a check on the executive in Kenya. With the passage of a new constitution in August 2010, Kenya is on the verge of a political sea change. It is hoped that this paper will help indicate fruitful areas for future research.Abstract will be provided by author