How Obote-Mutesa alliance paved road to Uganda's independence
After losing the 1961 elections, Milton Obote set aside his earlier opposition to Buganda’s special status and forged an alliance with Kabaka Mutesa II that would prove crucial in shaping Uganda’s path to independence.
Obote with Mutesa at the celebrations to mark the 40th birthday of the Omukama of Bunyoro, in 1964. While Buganda was satisfied with the Mutesa-Obote alliance, Bunyoro demanded the return of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, which had been transferred to Buganda by Sir Henry Edward Colville in 1894. (File)
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INDEPENDENCE DAY SERIES
After losing the March 1961 elections, Dr Apollo Milton Obote changed course, moving from being a critic of Buganda in 1960 to seeking an alliance with the kingdom later in 1961.
In Desecration of My Kingdom, Sir Edward Mutesa II writes that he first met Obote after the March 1961 election. The meeting was arranged by their mutual friends Abu Mayanja and Daudi Ochieng and held at Mutesa’s palace in Bamunanika, present-day Luwero district.
“He was very friendly, almost obsequious. We talked, and for a few weeks, he sent me letters… An alliance between Buganda and UPC was suggested, with innumerable promises of respect for our position after independence… Though I did not like him for he is not a particularly likeable man,” wrote Mutesa, who was a year younger than Obote.
In a TV interview, Mayanja said Obote humbled himself and greeted the Kabaka. The two talked from 9:00pm until midnight, when Mayanja drove away from the palace.
Mutesa later wrote that his entire inner circle supported the alliance except the uncompromising Katikkiro Michael Kintu.
The understanding gave Buganda confidence to participate in the Lancaster Conference of September 18 to October 9, 1961. Buganda, which had previously been reluctant to join the processes leading to self-rule, believed Obote and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), which enjoyed support outside Buganda, would protect its interests.
Bunyoro headache
While Buganda was satisfied, Bunyoro demanded the return of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, the “lost counties” transferred to Buganda by Sir Henry Edward Colville in 1894.
Bunyoro agreed to attend the Lancaster Conference on condition that the counties were returned. The matter was placed on the agenda, but delegates deferred it to another constitutional conference after the April 1962 elections.
The Lancaster recommendations resulted in the Buganda Agreement of 1961, guaranteeing Buganda’s federal status within Uganda. Despite protests from the Democratic Party (DP), delegates agreed to fresh elections on April 24, 1962. Buganda also bargained for its elected Lukiiko to nominate 19 members to the national Parliament.
After the conference, the delegations returned home to prepare for independence elections with a federated Uganda in mind.
Under the alliance, UPC would not field candidates in Buganda, while KY would not contest outside Buganda. Although the agreement referred to an election on April 4, Lukiiko elections were held in February and the national elections on April 24.
UPC won 37 seats, DP 22, while KY nominated 22 delegates, including an Indian, a European and Daudi Ochieng, an Acholi. The original account puts the combined UPC-KY strength at 65. They formed the government, leaving DP in opposition.
Final constitutional settlement
Obote and Mutesa then prepared to take charge of Uganda, but delegates first attended the final constitutional conference at Marlborough House in London from June 12 to 28, 1962.
Bunyoro again insisted that it would not join independent Uganda without its counties, while Buganda refused to surrender them. A commission chaired by Lord Molson had documented human-rights violations in the lost counties and recommended their return to Bunyoro, but Buganda rejected the recommendation.
On June 27, as Buganda’s delegation prepared to walk out, British colonial secretary Lord Maudling proposed a referendum not less than three years after independence if the prime minister wished. Bunyoro, Mutesa and Obote reluctantly accepted.
“The Banyoro were not pleased. We were not pleased. Obote, who wanted the difficulty settled without involving him, was not pleased,” Mutesa wrote.
Buganda also wanted control of the Police, but this went to the central government, while Buganda retained a guard of about 300 men. On its other demands, Obote gave verbal assurances.
“Obote assured us that all the details would be ironed out later in discussions between the relevant minister of the Lukiiko and of the National Assembly. We could count on him. ‘Trust me,’ he said as he smiled reassuringly,” Mutesa wrote.
“So, the guarantees were spoken and not written. We could not hold up independence any longer.”
Uganda became independent under a federal Constitution on October 9, 1962, with Obote as executive prime minister. The following year, the National Assembly elected Mutesa as non-executive president and Kyabazinga Sir William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope III of Busoga as vice president.
Key dates
October 17, 1955: Kabaka Mutesa II returns from two years of exile in the UK following his clash with Governor Andrew Cohen.
October 20-24, 1958: Colonial government organises the first LEGCO elections.
February 4, 1959: Governor Frederick Crawford appoints the John Wild Committee to collect views on Uganda’s independence.
December 5, 1959: Wild Committee publishes its report; Buganda is not happy.
December 15, 1960: Munster Committee appointed to examine Buganda’s grievances.
March 4, 1961: Democratic Party under Ben Kiwanuka wins first general election. Buganda boycotts.
June 1961: Munster Committee report is published.
April 1961: Obote begins alliance talks with Buganda.
September 18, 1961 up to October 9, 1961: Lancaster Conference to discuss Uganda’s self-rule starts. Recommends holding another election in April 1962.
April 24, 1962: Uganda People’s Congress and Kabaka Yekka win general election.
June 12, 1962: Independence Conference starts at Marlborough House in London. The lost counties question is deferred.
October 9, 1962: Uganda becomes independent with Obote as executive Prime Minister.
