Uganda becomes Independent, October 1962.
Uganda became independent when I was thirteen years old. My main recollection of that great event is that of fear, apprehension and caution.
The majority of Asians were very concerned about their safety. The rumour mill had been working incessantly. The worst of their fears were that law and order was going to break down at midnight, when the British flag was going to be lowered for the last time and the Ugandan flag was going to be hoisted. The change of rule was going to result in looting and violence. The Africans would fight amongst themselves but most of the anger would be mainly against the foreigners who would suddenly become objects of hatred. This was the summary of fear based on misinformation.
The vast majority of Asian families stayed at home and listened to the proceedings on radio. I recall long speeches being made. Most of them went over my head. I remember when the Ugandan National Anthem was played and the stadium erupted with resounding cheers of celebration. Uganda was independent. The celebrations had started and we were at home. Then someone thought that they had heard a loud noise outside the house. Everyone tiptoed to the window to have a look – the lights had already been turned off by someone with a presence of mind. There was nothing of concern there, only a lone African man who must have started his celebrations much earlier, judging by his unsteady and slow walk up the hill. He was talking to himself.
It was such a great pity that we did not go to the stadium to see the independence ceremonies. The country had seen that transition without bloodshed and we had missed a unique event. Imagine my disappointment when we heard the next day that many of the Asians who were known to us had gone to stadium as well.
Uganda became independent when I was thirteen years old. My main recollection of that great event is that of fear, apprehension and caution.
The majority of Asians were very concerned about their safety. The rumour mill had been working incessantly. The worst of their fears were that law and order was going to break down at midnight, when the British flag was going to be lowered for the last time and the Ugandan flag was going to be hoisted. The change of rule was going to result in looting and violence. The Africans would fight amongst themselves but most of the anger would be mainly against the foreigners who would suddenly become objects of hatred. This was the summary of fear based on misinformation.
The vast majority of Asian families stayed at home and listened to the proceedings on radio. I recall long speeches being made. Most of them went over my head. I remember when the Ugandan National Anthem was played and the stadium erupted with resounding cheers of celebration. Uganda was independent. The celebrations had started and we were at home. Then someone thought that they had heard a loud noise outside the house. Everyone tiptoed to the window to have a look – the lights had already been turned off by someone with a presence of mind. There was nothing of concern there, only a lone African man who must have started his celebrations much earlier, judging by his unsteady and slow walk up the hill. He was talking to himself.
It was such a great pity that we did not go to the stadium to see the independence ceremonies. The country had seen that transition without bloodshed and we had missed a unique event. Imagine my disappointment when we heard the next day that many of the Asians who were known to us had gone to stadium as well.
posted by K Singh Ajimal at
3:37 am
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