Most of the recent literature on democratization in Africa has paid insufficient attention to popular understandings of democracy and the local reception of democratic practices. This article examines the articulation of the concept of democracy with existing sociopolitical conceptions in contemporary Buganda, which used to be the largest of Uganda’s old kingdoms. The standard translation of the word ‘democracy’ into Luganda tends to assimilate it to a local political cosmology which emphasizes the values of justice, civility and open communication between rulers and subjects, and involves a conception of sociopolitical hierarchy modelled on the system of clans and kingship. Such liberal democratic practices and institutions as elections, political parties and representation are not part of the local definition of democracy. In fact, political parties are widely condemned as antithetical to democratic governance. At a more pragmatic level, however, some of the democratization initiatives of the current Ugandan government have given rise to a new popular allegiance to democratic elections. The article is based on research carried out in Buganda in 1992-1993, notably in Ngando and Katabi subcounties in Mpigi District, Nakaseke subcounty in Luwero District, and the environs of Masaka town. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French.
