Chapter 2: My Early Childhood

In this chapter I look at my early childhood, my parents, and life in a polygamous family and I also trace my clan roots and revisit significant aspects of our history. I was born in the British Protectorate of Uganda and both my parents belonged to the Samia tribe. One of the most impactful events during the evangelization of the East African region was the murder of Bishop James Hannington, who was sent to Buganda as the first Anglican Bishop of Equatorial East Africa.

The bishop and his porters arrived in Busoga on October 25, 1885 and were arrested, following instructions from King Mwanga of Buganda. He was killed, on October 29, 1885 before reaching Buganda on the orders of Chief Luuba of Usoga. They were speared and stoned to death.

Thereafter, famine broke out in Buganda and Busoga and sears prophesied that it would not end until the bones of the Bishop were removed from Busoga. King Nabongo Mumia ordered for his exhumation and transfer to Mumias in present day Kenya. They traveled eastwards and jiggers plagued the entire route his body was taken along on the way to Mumias where he was laid to rest.

It is said that there had been no tsese flies in Bukedi and Busoga districts but following the murder of Bishop Hannington, the first cases of sleeping sickness were reported. From 1898 to 1900, Busoga and Bukedi were afflicted by smallpox leading to the depopulation of islands like Sigulu and in Ssese.

It is said that there had been no tsese flies in Bukedi and Busoga districts but following the murder of Bishop Hannington, the first cases of sleeping sickness were reported. From 1898 to 1900, Busoga and Bukedi were afflicted by smallpox leading to the depopulation of islands like Sigulu and in Ssese.