The Kabaka eventually rewarded Nubians with land in Bombo district for helping him fight his enemies.
[Africa News Update: Uganda Op-Ed]
There have been constant threats from a minority within the high echelon of the Uganda ruling system that the Nubians in Uganda must go.
Where they will go? This question is not bothering the State House fraternity.
They are referred to as foreigners despite the fact that the history of the Nubi in East Africa goes back to the late 1800s under the command of Emin Pasha, and then based in Wadelei before the country now called Uganda was mapped out by the British.
History tells us that it was these Nubians who were used by the first Kabaka Mutesa to save Buganda Kingdom and from this time onwards the Nubi showed loyalty to Kabaka Mutesa I, Mwanga, Daudi Chwa and Mutesa II.
In fact they are much more Ugandan than the interlopers from the West who are reported to be selling off the Buganda Kingdom and thereby destroying the real pearl of Africa.
This case of the Nubians is drawing the attention of many Africa watchers around the world who are dismayed to learn that the Uganda Parliament has spoken out about their fate. Yet, so far there has been no clarity by saying that they know 10,000 Nubians are about to suffer. Might not a situation close to that of the present Kenya be on the horizon? Politicians are not concerned.
The Uganda politicians say it was Lord Lugard who died in 1945 who was responsible for the mapping of Uganda and in doing so enveloped some thousands of Nubians, who had been left to starve when Emin Pasha died, and brought them into the Buganda kingdom. The Kabaka eventually rewarded Nubians with land in Bombo district for helping him fight his enemies.
Now, investors, Henley Property Developers Ltd. of London, are allegedly being encouraged by the Uganda government to build a five star hotel together with the latest in swimming pools and an ice rink within the Kampala area. But, in the manipulations involved, the resident area of the Nubians in Bombo has to go into the planning of the London property company for other works.
Of course I may not have the real facts. My correspondence is coming from extremely worried elders of the Nubian society, a race of supreme loyalty. In fact, past Uganda history has them recorded as the Gurkhas of Africa–aggressive in battle, and possessing qualities like courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, hard work, fighting tenacity and military strategy.
Let’s hope that Henley Property Developers Limited of London look closely at what they are getting into. Such a well established London company would I am sure not like to bring suffering to the sons and daughters of Uganda. The country needs investors but not to be used as tools of something sinister.
Astles was once an advisor to Uganda’s dictator Idi Amin Dada. The movie “The Last King Of Scotland” is widely believed to have been tailored around his life.
To comment or to subscribe to or advertise in New York’s leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, or to send us a news tip, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to [email protected]
Also visit out sister publications Harlem Business News www.harlembusinessnews.com and The Groove music magazine at www.thegroovemag.com
“Speaking Truth To Empower.”
