The impact of Ujamaa on rural development in Masasi district, Tanzania

Abstract

The study is an evaluation of Ujamaa as a method of rural development in Masasi District. This is done in relation to the traditional organization and management of rural programmes as influenced by physical characterist European Colonial and post-Independence activities in the district. The study assumes that District Development is synonymous with rural development. Rural development is guided by Ujamaa and Ujamaa is a method of rural development. The more rural people are able to decide on their own life (i.e. the less they rely on governmental aid) the better the quality of rural development . .The major findings of the study include the fact that Ujamaa activities in the district are largely service oriented than economic oriented. The villages have not ye organized the people into voluntary disciplined communal production Units in groups for social and economic development. Resource use activities by both the Government and Village are for social and not economic growth and development. Also, there is lack of integration, co-ordination and strong linkages between the various organizations dealing with rural development in the district which constrains the development of Ujamaa as a planned programme for development and planning in the district. The conclusion recommends a strategy for strengthening the various loose linkages that constrain the proper organization and management of Ujamaa programmes in the district through a systems approach.