Political Theory and Classical Modern Political Thought in the Ugandan Context: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This systematic literature review looks at how political theory and classical modern political thought are understood, interpreted, and contested in Ugandan political discussions and academic fields. It is based on 165 unique scholarly sources found through thorough database searches and a close study of the 30 most relevant papers. The review shows that political theory in Uganda is a complex area of ideological conflict, not a settled agreement. The evidence indicates that classical modern political thought, especially liberal, republican, and Marxist ideas, has been selectively used, critically reinterpreted, and strategically applied by Ugandan scholars, nationalists, and political figures since the colonial era. Key findings include: (1) Makerere University was the main institution for sharing and altering Western political theory between 1949 and 1968. It created a dominant curriculum that shaped elite political views; (2) nationalist leaders approached classical modern concepts through selective use and postcolonial rethinking, rather than full adoption; (3) current Ugandan political discussions involve active conflicts among liberal, Marxist, post-colonial, and hybrid regime theories. Each theory is used to support different ideas about governance, development, and sovereignty; and (4) while the involvement of elites and academics with political theory is well recorded, evidence about how the wider society understands it is still limited. This review helps us understand how political theory is shared, changed, and contested in postcolonial African settings.