Who Signed the Namirembe Agreement on Behalf of Buganda Kingdom
The Namirembe Agreement is a critical document in the history of Buganda Kingdom in Uganda. This agreement was signed on 26th July 1955, and it marked the beginning of a new era in the relationship between Buganda Kingdom and the British protectorate government that had colonized Uganda at the time. The signing of the Namirembe Agreement was a culmination of years of negotiations between the two parties, and it came as a relief to many who had been agitating for the independence of their respective kingdoms.
One of the key questions that often arise when discussing the Namirembe Agreement is, who signed the agreement on behalf of Buganda Kingdom? Well, the answer is not straightforward, but history has it that there were four signatories to the agreement. These included:
1. Sir Andrew Cohen, the Governor of Uganda at the time, signed the agreement on behalf of the British protectorate government.
2. Sir Edward Muteesa II, the Kabaka (king) of Buganda Kingdom, also signed the agreement.
3. Apollo Milton Obote, the Secretary-General of the Uganda People`s Congress (UPC), signed the agreement as a representative of the Uganda National Congress (UNC). UNC was a political party that had been formed to agitate for the independence of Uganda.
4. Benedicto Kiwanuka, a prominent politician and lawyer who later became the first Prime Minister of Uganda, also signed the agreement as a representative of the Democratic Party (DP). DP was another political party that had been formed to agitate for the independence of Uganda.
It is worth noting that the Namirembe Agreement was not universally accepted by all parties. Some members of Buganda Kingdom opposed the agreement, arguing that it did not adequately address their concerns. However, despite the opposition, the agreement was considered a significant milestone in the quest for independence, not just for Buganda Kingdom but for the entire country.
In conclusion, the Namirembe Agreement was a crucial document in the history of Buganda Kingdom, and it paved the way for the eventual independence of Uganda. The agreement was signed by four individuals, namely Sir Andrew Cohen, Sir Edward Muteesa II, Apollo Milton Obote, and Benedicto Kiwanuka. These individuals played a significant role in shaping the destiny of their respective kingdoms and the country as a whole.