INDEPENDENCE SPECIAL: Mengo hosts Duke and Duchess

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While independence would be a turning point in a long and fruitful journey, it should not be the end but the beginning of co-operation between Buganda and Britain, the Duke of Kent told a crowded Lukiko Hall in Mengo yesterday.

Thousands of people welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Kent when they arrived at the Bulange in the early hours of yesterday as guests of the Kabaka's Government. 

‘Precious stone' 
The Duke and Duchess were received in the Lukiko Hall after inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Buganda Government police outside the Government building. 

The ceremony in the Bulange at which the Kabaka and the Katikiro spoke, was attended by the Governor, Sir Walter Coutts; the Prime Minister, Mr. Milton Obote; the Omukama of Toro; religious leaders; Sir Andrew Cohen and Lady Cohen; Sir Hathorn Hall and Lady Hall; Mr. Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's Minister of State; and Mr. Tom Mboya, the Kenya Minister of Labour, Ministers of both the Central and Kabaka's Government and other distinguished guests. 

Speaking in reply to the Kabaka and the Katikiro, the Duke quoted explorer Stanley's words that Uganda was "like a precious stone in Africa." 

Earl's visit? 
The relationship which had existed between the Kabaka, the chiefs and the people of Buganda was officially coming to an end, the Duke said, but I gave him great pleasure to know that new relationships would be created which would be a source of strength between the peoples of Britain and Buganda. 

He assured the Kabaka and the Katikiro that he would convey their regards to the Queen and expressed the hope that the Earl of St. Andrews would one day "share our joy and visit this lovely country." 

The Kabaka had earlier referred to the Duke as a "junior captain" when he said; "It is an unusual honour for a senior captain to welcome a junior captain both listed under the flag."  Said the Duke: "Speaking as a cavalryman and a grenadier or let us say as a junior officer and a senior officer, your words about the service that brings us together have pleased me." 




The Kabaka said that the omission to introduce individuals to the Duke meant that it was an open invitation to see the Duke again in the future. While the absence of the Earl of St Andrews was a "setback," the Kabaka, however, wished to tender "our warmest greetings and respect." 

Wide friendship 
The Kabaka added that the Duke was as safe a plenipotentiary "as we could have obtained to convey the people of this country's gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen and thereby to the British people for the guidance we have received and the wide friendship that has mantled the relationship between our peoples." 

"May both your Royal Highnesses receive as much pleasure while in Uganda to balance the events for which you have so gallantly come out to perform," the Kabaka said. 
The Katikiro, Mr. Michael Kintu, thanked all the "men and women" from Britain who had given "their best to place us where we are." 

Various setbacks 
Mr. Kintu said that it was as a result of the invitation of British protection by the late Kabaka Mwanga that Buganda and Uganda had advanced to their present state. He outlined the various setbacks that the country had gone through and the progress that had been made. "This day marks the end of a long and fruitful chapter in the history of Buganda and of Anglo-Buganda relationship," Mr. Kintu said. He added that he looked forward to a period of steady and profitable relationship between Britain and Buganda as equals. 

"In the future, even more so than in the past, the need for understanding, co-operation and mutual assistance, between our two countries will become even greater." The kingdom was proud of the role it had played in the progress of Uganda and intended to continue to exercise all those responsibilities "to ourselves and to our neighbours." 

Kiganda gifts 
Mr. Kintu said however, that while the Baganda were determined to embrace and participate in all the new forms of human endeavours that were worthy, they were also determined to safeguard all those institutions that had served them so well in the past. The Duke and Duchess were presented with gifts by the Kabaka's Government which included a Kiganda mat, "ntongoli", a walking stick and large photograph of Kabaka Mutesa I.
As published in the Uganda Argus of October 9, 1962: Vision Group Resource Centre