Colonial history still haunts us in Africa
Dec 03, 2003
SIR — I recently read about Mr Zephaniah who refused the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from Queen Elizabeth
SIR — I recently read about Mr Zephaniah who refused the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from Queen Elizabeth.
He said the very thought of the British Empire reminded him of the untold suffering his ancestors were subjected to.
The Western governments which are very fond of lecturing poor nations about democracy and accountability ought to know that they at least owe former colonies verbal restitution. We have very little to learn from them and their lectures cannot erase the bloody activities of their past. Omukama Iguru of Bunyoro has said he intends to sue the British government for brutalising his people and plundering Bunyoro’s resources.
He might not get far because of various technicalities but that does not exonerate the British and other colonialists for their unspeakable behaviour. Many of their activities before the sun set o the british Empire still hound us today.
Look at the unrest over the ‘lost counties’ in Bunyoro. It is not easy to forget.
Sgt (Rtd) George Segene
He said the very thought of the British Empire reminded him of the untold suffering his ancestors were subjected to.
The Western governments which are very fond of lecturing poor nations about democracy and accountability ought to know that they at least owe former colonies verbal restitution. We have very little to learn from them and their lectures cannot erase the bloody activities of their past. Omukama Iguru of Bunyoro has said he intends to sue the British government for brutalising his people and plundering Bunyoro’s resources.
He might not get far because of various technicalities but that does not exonerate the British and other colonialists for their unspeakable behaviour. Many of their activities before the sun set o the british Empire still hound us today.
Look at the unrest over the ‘lost counties’ in Bunyoro. It is not easy to forget.
Sgt (Rtd) George Segene