Uganda, a landlocked nation in East Africa, was known during colonial times as the Pearl of Africa, largely because of its pleasant climate and rich land. For most of the postindependence period, however, Uganda was one of the most brutal and violent nations in Africa. In 1986, a new government seized power, promising to restore internal stability and economic prosperity. Since then, Uganda has gradually become a model for other African states struggling to improve the lives of their citizens.In this broad survey, Thomas P. Ofcansky examines the political, economic, and social themes that...