This story is not usually told for obvious reasons but No chief would dare tell Mr. Ham Mukasa what to do.

Standing: Edward Galbuzi, Kezekiya Matiko, Dorothy Seruuba, Catherine Kawalya, Leah Mukasa, Rebecca Mulira, Christine Namukasa, Ida Mukasa, Mackay Mukasa
Seating: Canon Peter Kigozi, Durusila Namasole, Sarah Mukasa, Hamu Mukasa, Yosiya Sensalire, Yakobo Mulinyabigo
On the floor: Geroge Kasede, Barbara Mukasa

George Kasede is very much alive and running the Ham Mukasa Famliy Foundation.

Look at the people seated and the names Canon Peter Kigozi (RIP) and Durusila Namasole (RIP).  That is why the photo is important. Canon Peter Kigozi (RIP) pased way I think last year in his 90s.  Durusila Namasole (RIP) was the mother of Kabaka Mutesa (RIP). She shocked the conservative Mmengo establishment when after being widowed; she married then Reverend Peter Kigozi.  Some of the chiefs went nuts.

They actually moved a motion in the Lukiiko banning Reverend Kigozi and Durusila Namasole-Mrs Irene Durusila Namaganda -from being within 50 miles of Kampala?Mmengo.  Mark you she was the mother of the siting Kabaka Muteesa.  They were banished to Kyaggwe and settled near Mr Ham Mukasa’s home.  Basically Mr. Ham Mukasa offered to take care of The Kabaka’s mother.

The motion by the Lukiiko had no impact on The Kabaka who continued to drive to Kyaggwe to visit his mother and hang out with Mr Ham Mukasa regularly. Think about it. The Lukiiko had passed a motion banning Durusila Namasole (RIP) –the Kabaka’s mother-from being within 50 miles of Kampala/Mmengo.

Why did the chiefs or Lukiiko ban the newlywed couple from being within 50 miles of Mmnego? Nnugu. Because what the late Durusila Namasole (RIP) did was revolutionary in that it had never happened before in Buganda.

If you will, she was one of the pioneer feminists or advocated for gender equality in Uganda.  A lot was at stake, but she was widowed young and decided to re-marry. For the conservative chiefs and members of the Lukiiko that was a taboo. But she never gave a DAMN.  Remember she did what men routinely did; re-marry upon being widowed.  She married Reverend Kigozi (RIP), dared Mmengo/Lukiiko and had a happy life together until her death in 1957.  They had one son who has since passed away.

Another reason the chiefs behaved that way is because many felt that it should have been them and not Reverend Kigozi to have a go at her. They were pissed off and banned the couple from Mmengo.

Abbey Semuwemba: this story is not usually told for obvious reasons.  No chief would dare tell Mr. Ham Mukasa what to do.

The late Durusila Namasole (RIP) is buried at Namirembe Cathedral grounds.

I will let you know when the book which has been written about that episode is published. It has been written and will soon be published.

The late Mrs Rebeca Mulira (RIP) is Mr Ham Mukasa’s daughter who donated the papers to Cambridge University.  That is all for now.

 

1. Mr & Mrs Ham & Hannah Mukasa. Robert & Dorothy Sebuliba. 1901. At Mengo outside his father’s House near the post office in mengo

2.On the right Ham Mukasa

3. Mr Ham Mukasa with Kabaka Daudi Chwa II. the photo was made when they were in Britain in 1913

4.The Right Rev. Bishop Alfred Tucker’

WBK