What does the 'show case' show? Evidence of and lessons from adjustment in Uganda

Uganda is often seen as African show case for the beneficial effects of structural adjustment and economic reforms. Apart from its high growth rate, Uganda is praised for its high degree of "ownership" of the reforms. This usually means that donors and the recipient government converge on the reform package to be carried out. However, critics have pointed to continued aid dependence, and limited growth of the agricultural export sector. This paper contributes to the debate on the effects of structural adjustment in Uganda. It first discusses the relationship between Uganda and the donor community over time. It then analyses the effects of aid funds on macroeconomic developments and examines supply responses in the agricultural sector. The paper finally concludes that aid and economic reforms have been beneficial to Uganda. After the economy stabilized with the help of aid funds, and after some crucial liberalizations, high growth rates returned and export performance improved considerably. This progress is rooted in marked improvements in the real economy: output in crops like coffee and tobacco rose higher than had previously ever been recorded, and new sectors emerged. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum