Peaceful urbanisation in East Africa

Strong ethnic identities can impede urbanisation and the stability of the nation state in East Africa. The transplanting of rural tribal identities to urban capitals has often led to urban tension and even national violence in the past. Dar es Salaam, a major city and former capital of Tanzania, stands out as a striking alternative. The Creole foundations and cosmopolitan outlook of this city has allowed it to develop peacefully.

Research published by theCrisis States Research Centre at the London School of Economics, in the UK, comparesthe relationship between ethnic and national identities in two capital cities:Kampala in Uganda, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.There has been much written about nation-building in East Africa and also abouturbanisation in the region, but little addressing the relationship between thetwo. This research examines the differing nature of ethnic identity within thetwo cities, and the extent to which these identities have facilitated either nationalism,or social tension and violence.

The Bagandaare Kampala’s indigenous population. They were a powerful tribal kingdom at thetime of British colonial conquest. Following insurrection against colonial rulein 1897, the British designated the Kingdom of Buganda as an autonomousconstitutional monarchy, in return for assistance with administration and taxcollection. The Baganda then played a key role in developinga nationalist post-colonial government and have continually struggled forautonomy.

The indigenous Zaramo of Dar es Salaam, bycontrast, have accommodated themselves to successive waves of migrants fromdifferent ethnic backgrounds. They have frequently intermarried with Shomvi Arab coastal traders and aspired to Swahilimetropolitan culture. The Zaramo have never been acohesive tribal group with a clear identity.

Comparing their impact withinthe two cities, the study finds that:

• Kampala and Dar es Salaam have both attracted migrants from a wide range ofethnic backgrounds, growing to become the most economically and culturallydiverse cities in Uganda and Tanzania.
• In Kampala, the Baganda have retained their tribal hold on land andmonopolised labour markets.
• Bagandan political demands and separatist tendencies have hinderedefforts to promote nationalism in Uganda.
• Dar es Salaam has offered migrants easier access to land andlabour opportunities, as the Swahili are used to selling land on an individualbasis. 
• The ethniccharacter of the Swahili is easily adaptable. This, along with low levels ofeducation and lack of economic success, has protected them from resentment.
• Dar es Salaam’s Creole foundations and cosmopolitan outlookhave facilitated more peaceful urbanisation.

Uganda has a far greaterethnic consciousness than Tanzania. Military insurgency occurs in northern andwestern areas of the country. Kampala’s residents face daily challenges oftribal cultural difference. Dar es Salaam is muchlarger and more cosmopolitan. Tanzania is regarded as one of sub-SaharanAfrica’s most stable nation states.

The research concludes that minimisingethnicity in the politics and economy of a national capital facilitates thestability of the nation state. Throughout East Africa, transplanting ruraltribal identities to urban capitals has sparked urban tension and nationalviolence. Dar es Salaam is unique. Ethnic pluralitytakes the form of humour and social tolerance, not hierarchical political andeconomic control. Consequently the country has been able to grow and urbanisepeacefully.