Once the "Pearl of Africa, " during the postcolonial era Uganda became one of the most brutal and violent nations in the region. This broad survey examines the political, economic, and social factors that have shaped Uganda, including historical cleavages along ethnic and religious lines, the impact of British colonial rule, and the emergence of the independence movement after World War II. The author analyzes the collapse and decay of Ugandan society after Idi Amin's seizure of power in 1971 and the successes and failures of the subsequent government, which the author argues is making genuine strides in improving the lives of its citizens.