Chapter 4: The Nabumali Days 1960 – 1962

At different stages in my childhood, I lived at both Sam’s and Dan’s homes. To join primary school, I was relocated for the second time and I went to stay with Dan and Ida at Nabumali High School. In exchange, Milly went to stay with Miriam and Sam at Wanyange. I also spent some time with Simon during my University vacations and with Milly, after graduation till I got my own apartment.

When I was in primary school. I was punished for something I clearly could not have done. Punitive punishments laid the foundation for the turbulent years my country has had to endure because many leaders in Uganda do not respect nor protect human rights, justice, and the truth.

As Uganda’s Independence day drew nearer, I was dispatched to spend my holiday with Sam and Miriam, who on Sam’s election to Parliament in 1962, had moved with Milly to Kampala. Simon moved from the Wandera’s and went to stay with them. On the night of 8th October, 1962, there was a colourful tattoo ceremony with fireworks, leading to the bringing down of the Union Jack, and the first public hoisting of the Ugandan flag at Kololo. Although we lived nearby I was not allowed to go there.

In early December, 1962, I was so thrilled that mother was coming to spend some weeks with us at Nabumali, because I rarely stayed with her and I had a lot to tell her. During that visit, on December 12, 1962, Sam lost his greatly loved and popular wife, Miriam in a presumed miscarriage.

Miriam’s relatives wanted her buried at her ancestral home near Kampala. However, my father and the Samia community in Kampala, prevailed on our in-laws to abandon the idea. After Miriam’s funeral, I remained with Simon and Milly in Kampala at Sam’s. In early 1963, I was relocated a third time.