The following are problems that nationalist faced during the struggle for independence in East Africa

Lack of enough funds to carry out their activities in their respective countries.
Ethnicity was still strong in some countries, for example Uganda. this made it difficult to mobilize for a national cause.
The natives of East Africa were still too poor and therefore were pre-occupied with the need for money than political work.
Too many people were illiterate hence they could not easily understand the work of nationalists.
Inadequate communication networks in most East African countries.
Most of the natives of East Africa were rural dwellers who were less concerned with nationalistic struggles.
Malice and sabotage from colonial governments. They would ban trade unions and political parties.
The inferiority complex was still high among the East African people. They feared the whites greatly.
Leadership wrangles were too common among the nationalists and the small political parties formed.
Different political ideologies in the East African states made the Nationalists to loose concentration and one sense of direction, for example socialism against capitalism.
Religious differences, for example in Uganda people were divided up along religious lines.
Lack of proper organization and coordination among nationalists.
Foreign interference in their organization completely disorganized the Nationalists.
A limited supply of guns to be used against the colonialists where there was need to apply force.
Lack of a common language in Uganda’s case failed the nationalists as they tried to sensitize people against their oppression by the whites.
The United Nations lacked vibrancy or zeal or eagerness towards the independence struggles in East Africa.