Uganda Before Independence: In Accordance With Facts Or Reality

Uganda ’s war of liberation begun in 1946 following the end of world war 2 when Ugandans who had fought in the war returned home determined to enjoy more freedom including economic independence that would begin with Ugandans being allowed to join trade.

At that time majority of the Ugandans were treated as strangers in their own country with Indians and British nationals enjoying more rights.

According to Emmanuel Kulabatyo, 83, born in 1939 claimed that Ugandans were barred from accessing certain areas of Kampala central which area had been dominated by Indians. He further narrated that one would bring corn and get little money out of it.

He further stated that there were restrictions since majority of the land lords were Indians they always turned down tenants. He narrates that there were laws such as the cotton Ordinance of 1933 which banned Ugandans from managing or owning a cotton farm and only Indians and British being permitted to export cotton and the same applied to domestic workers low salary and lack of employment opportunities which were all discriminatory in nature.

Uganda Transport Commission a British business founded in 1938 had a monopoly on the best transport routes such as Jinja, Sorot among other routes.

According to Peter Mulira an established lawyer whose father EMK Mulira played a prominent role in the fight for Uganda’s independence said that politicians such as Augustine Kamya who gained more fame for campaigning for economic fairness.

Mulira further claimed that despite having established unions like the Uganda national trade boycott they were all short lived since the British crushed the rebellions.

Mulira further adds that the British began grooming new generation of leaders and it was long before Ugandans demanded for economic justice which come in a result of a genuine revolution in 1949.

Ignatius Musazi while remaining back in the country, the bataka party a political movement with its headquarters in Buganda sent and availed political activist like Francis Ssemakula Mulumba in United Kingdom and reinforcing the necessity for Uganda’s economic and political independence.

According to Richard Lubwana Mukubyasi, active political organizations began from there were actors would co ordinate through various channels including the religious gatherings were they would speak Luganda so as the British wouldn’t understand.

The expulsion and exile of Kabaka Mutesa as well as his involvement in Uganda’s independence increased pressure on the British.

A year later, the Uganda independence conference also known as Marlborough House conference was held primarily to verify and implement the proposal made at the Lancaster conference in 1961.

The Uganda independence conference convened at Marlborough House in London on Tuesday June 12 1962 and completed on Friday June June 29 1962.

Mpaga further narrates that he recalls the day when they lowered the Union Jack and there were jubilation across the country with Milton Obote becoming the first prime minister.

Check also;

• Celebrating 59 Years Of Independence, Are We independent?
• Celebrating Another Independence While In Lockdown, 59 Years Of Freedom

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