Trace and Tell your Family's Empire Stories
Introduction
I am originally from Buganda, the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, but now live with my wife, Grace, in London. I was born in 1962, just after Uganda became independent from British rule, and grew up in the village of Mengo, in the district of Kampala.
My uncle was Kabaka (King) Mutesa II of Uganda. After independence, when Milton Obote became the first prime minister of Uganda, my uncle became the first president. However in 1966, when I was four, my uncle was exiled to Britain when his palace came under attack from Obote's men. So as I was growing up, being related to royalty was not something I advertised.
I came to Britain myself with my fianc
Browser by chapterIn the lead up to independence my uncle, Mutesa II, did not agree to the East African Federation which was being set up by the British governor Sir Andrew Cohen. As a result, Cohen had him deported to London.
This caused so much unrest amongst the Baganda that Cohen was forced to reinstate King Mutesa II to placate them. My uncle became a key player in the government.
At the beginning of the 1960s, Uganda moved closer to independence. Under the leadership of Milton Obote, the Uganda People's Congress emerged as a coalition of parties opposed to Buganda's domination. At the same time, in opposition, a new party called Kabaka Yekka (King Alone) was formed by the Baganda.
In the end, both parties joined together in a coalition to secure power. In the 1962 election this coalition gained a majority of seats. Milton Obote became the first prime minister and my uncle became the first president of independent Uganda. I was born in this same year.
