Die Entwicklungsbedingungen Ugandas

the long version

The author lokks into the specific development perspectives (problems as well as potentials) of land-locked countries and presents the case-study of Uganda. He starts with an analysis of policies under the British colonial rule, when Uganda as a protectorate was part of British East Africa, together with Tanganyika and Kenya. After independence (1966), Uganda was confronted with an entirely different situation because it had to deal with the fact that the long distance to the nearest harbour (Mombasa in Kenya) was long and imports as well as exports had to be channelled through a foreign country. Fischer concludes, however, that the perspectives for economic development must not necessarily be hampered by the geographical distance but could entail a number of opportunities if the Government pursues the right economic policies. Hence, Uganda could become something like the "Switzerland in Africa".