KABS INFO LINK TELEVISION: October 2020

STORY BY: TUMUSIIME JOHNIOUS and LAURENCE MWESIGE

Uganda is a landlocked country located in the East of Africa, neighbored by South Sudan in the North, Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the West. It is a country of different groups of people (tribes), speaking different languages, having different cultures but with many characteristics in common.

Uganda is composed of a number of Kingdoms and Chiefdoms which have been existing for so many years even before the coming of the colonialists.

In April, 1875, Kabaka Mutesa I of Buganda Kingdom, under influence of Henry Morton Stanley, a British explorer; wrote a letter to the queen of England, Queen Victoria, requesting for the coming of Missionaries in his kingdom. The missionaries later came but in groups, with the first group arriving in June, 1877 under leadership of Alexander Murdoch Mackay.

However, the missionaries did not do as Kabaka Mutesa I had thought. This annoyed the top leadership of Buganda and several other Kings of Ugandan kingdoms. This was because the missionaries were extending their influence beyond the boundaries of Buganda where they were invited. Worse of it, they brought in separations among people of the same kingdoms when they preached against some cultural practices including the great respect that was being given to the kings (whom they termed as earthly kings).

Many kings and chiefs of Ugandan Kingdoms started planning to rub the word Christianity out of their kingdoms and this was one of the major reasons for the killing of several missionaries and the burning of the Uganda Christian Martyrs who are celebrated on the 3rd day of June every year.

The British were so touched by the killing of their missionaries and the Uganda Christian Martyrs because they had planned and the missionaries were expected, besides preaching of the good Gospel of God, to help the British colonialists take over rulership of the whole Uganda with ease. This is the reason for the say that "The flag (The Union Jack) followed the cross (The Gospel / Christianity).

However, The British did not give up on their mission after the death of their precedents. So they sent strong men like Capt. Fredrick Lugard who was tasked with the responsibility to fulfil their mission. Capt. Lugard, a strong British warrior, made several arrangements which included use of the IBEAC (Imperial British East Africa Company), restoration of Christianity, strengthening of formal education, use of collaborators, and several others. Besides, Capt. Lugard handled some issues as a soldier using his military skills and others using political skills. For example, he used to fight wars, divide some authorities technically and then present himself to either side as the only innocent and supportive subject among other technics.

Through such series of activities and events Ugandan kings ended up losing their authorities and powers to the British who later declared themselves colonialists of this beautiful land of the innocent God's people.

Ugandans of the colonial error were put to unbearable suffering and denied their rights a thing that resulted into death of many. For example, land ownership was restricted to some classes of people and most of the land was given to the colonial government and the collaborators. The kings were psychologically tortured, denied any authority and some killed and others forced into exile. Tax payment was mandated to every household and yet none was given chance to inquire about the purpose of the tax. The suffering and torture of the Ugandans by the colonialists and the collaborators was too much and no one can explain it and make it be felt exactly as it was, even though it is said that Ugandans were not sentenced to much suffering if compared to other colonies like Kenya or South Africa.

The only good thing was that a few (often male) Ugandans who did not by any means express hate for the colonialists were permitted to school. That is how people like Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, Kabaka Mutesa 2 and several others got chance to be educated.

In the later time, Ugandans started the struggle to regain their independence. The educated and the high class Ugandans such as kings and chiefs led the campaign to demand for Independence. They formed political parties through which they united several other Ugandans in the campaign.

The key political parties that were formed to demand for independence were:

Uganda people's Congress (U.P.C) which was led by the late Milton Obote;

Kabaka Yekka(KY) led by the late Kabaka Muteesa II and,

Democratic Party (DP) led by the late Benedicto Kiwanuka

The struggle took long though not as long as it did in many other colonies because Ugandans were organised and did not use much violence like the case was with other countries.

Tuesday 9th October 1962 became the day of Uganda's Pride, a day to celebrate every year, a day to be remembered always in the history of Uganda. It is the day Uganda attained her independence. The Uganda flag was raised and the Union Jack lowered. Akorimo kanuti raised the Uganda Flag for the first time.

The instruments of power were given to Dr. Apollo Milton Obote who became the first Executive Prime Minister.

Kabaka Mutesa II was the first President of Uganda but did not have executive powers.

Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope the then Kyabazinga of Busoga was the first vice president of Uganda.