Mayanja Nkangi: The Last Interview Of An Industrious Icon

By Robert Walakira

Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi was a legendary figure in Uganda’s history. In the 1950s, he made history as the first Ugandan to study at Britain’s prestigious Oxford University and was among the first black lecturers at Lancaster University. He also served as Buganda’s youngest Katikkiro and held various roles in different governments, including the present NRM administration.

Just weeks before his passing, Mr. Nkangi shared his remarkable life story with Rtn. Robert Walakira. Here are excerpts from that interview.

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QN: Owekitiibwa, nearly half of Uganda’s population is under 18, and many are unaware of who Mayanja Nkangi is or his contributions to our nation’s journey toward independence. Could you share your life story with us, please?

Nkangi: Before I answer your questions, I want to know whether your readers are interested in my life and the future of Africa. I don’t want to be irrelevant.

QN: That’s why we are here, Owekitiibwa.

Nkangi: If you say so.

QN: Great. When did you join politics?

Nkangi: I joined politics in 1948, likely before your parents were born.

QN: Indeed. Who inspired you to join?

Nkangi: Mr. Apollo Kironde, a historian and teacher at King’s College Budo, taught us about the 1900 Buganda Agreement. I realized that it was inequitable to be ruled by European immigrants. That is when I joined politics, and that is how the anti-colonialism movement started in Uganda.

QN: Did you know Dr. Obote at the time?

Nkangi: At that time, no. He was ahead of me. When he was at Makerere, I was still at King’s College Budo. I joined Makerere in 1950.

QN: What major did you choose at Makerere?

Nkangi: I studied Mathematics and Applied Economics.

QN: In 1953, Sir Andrew Cohen exiled Kabaka Mutesa. What exactly caused the expulsion, and how was the status quo in Buganda at the time?

Nkangi: It was horrifying. Cohen, a foreigner, exiling our Kabaka? Many called it a coup d’etat. It started when the Secretary of State for the Colonies floated a new idea of a Federation for East Africa in a speech he delivered in June 1953. His speech received strong protests from Buganda, and this was when the spirit of rebellion started to grow against British rule. It was around the time Ignatius Musaazi had started the Uganda National Congress. We passed a resolution of disapproval and drafted a memorandum suggesting what should be done.

QN: Who were you colluding with?

Nkangi: During my stay at Makerere’s Northcote Hall, Abu Mayanja was my close friend. Together with four of our Northcote peers, we drafted a memorandum asking for Buganda to be granted a constitutional monarchy because Buganda was an independent state well before the Europeans arrived. Businesspersons in Katwe rallied behind us, and as a result, Sir Keith Hancock, an Australian professor working on Her Majesty’s instructions, was sent to study the situation on the ground. This led to the 1955 agreement, which saw the return of the Kabaka. On 8th October 1962, Buganda got her autonomy. Other kingdoms like Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro, and Toro were all semi-autonomous.

QN: How did you end up in Britain?

Nkangi: I joined Oxford University on a government scholarship in 1954 to study Economics, Taxation, and Public Banking. After completing my studies in 1957, I realized I did not want to work in the public service. So, I told the lecturer overseeing scholarship holders to get me another scholarship to study law. In his letter to the government of Uganda, he wrote, ‘this young man has scathing intelligence, give him another three years’. I was flattered. But the Brits were not keen on the idea because, in 1957, Ghana became independent, and it was the lawyers who spearheaded her independence. So, the Brits were not ardent on law scholars. Nevertheless, I was given another three-year scholarship to study law at Lincoln’s Inn of Court in London, but I did it in one year because I was sick of the place.

QN: Were you one of the first Ugandans to study at Oxford?

Nkangi: Yes!

QN: As we speak today, getting into Oxford is not easy for African students. I am sure it was even harder 60 years ago. Don’t you consider yourself lucky?

Nkangi: I give glory to God. Even at that time, it would take much for an Englishman to get into Oxford University, but I got in easily.

QN: As a black student of slim build, did you experience any bullying from the white boys at Oxford?

Nkangi: Nope. They were very friendly. They used to invite me to their homes for dinner. I remember one incident when a fellow student asked me if I would consider marrying a white girl. I gave him a look, and the young man later apologized.

QN: Were you offended?

Nkangi: I didn’t like it. Asking a Muganda to marry an English girl was an insult!

QN: Observably, there were no Baganda girls at Oxford. Are you implying that you never dated during the years you spent at this establishment?

Nkangi: Dating is just playing about, but I can never … (long pause) let me tell you why! I think there is a reason why God created me as an African. I am not implying that He did not create them, but I am saying He created varieties for good reasons, and we should persist. (Laughter)

QN: When did you return to Uganda?

Nkangi: 1959.

QN: What job did you do on your return?

Nkangi: I tried to open up a law firm, but the regulations at the time were that one could not come out of university and open a law firm unless they had been at a senior lawyer’s firm for at least six months. So, I joined Benedicto Kiwanuka and Lawrence Ssebalu Advocates. These were DP diehards.

QN: Did you find the situation any better than the way you left it?

Nkangi: Uganda was hot politically, with many political parties emerging. Three months after my return, I started my own political party, the Uganda National Party (UNP). During that time, there was a boycott by traders buying Asian goods. They used to chuck them in the streets. Many were arrested, and I successfully defended them.

QN: Were you in touch with other Pan-Africans like Robert Mugabe, Oliver Tambo, or Julius Nyerere?

Nkangi: I was not. My main interest as a Ugandan was to force the British out. The UNP slogan was, “Let us make our own mistakes.” And that chance came on 9th October 1962.

QN: How did you become a minister?

Nkangi: After independence, I was among the 21 members nominated by Mr. William Kalema to represent Kabaka Yekka in the National Assembly (NA). At the NA, I was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Affairs and then a Minister without Portfolio. In 1963, I was appointed the Minister of Commerce.

QN: And how did you become the Katikiro?

Nkangi: At 33 years old, it was very easy. There was a referendum, which saw Buganda lose the counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi. After the defeat, Buganda Katikiro Michael Kintu was dropped. God has always been there for me. After the referendum, Kabaka Yekka and the UPC alliance collapsed. UPC and the party I was chairing (UNP) were big rivals, but surprisingly, Obote campaigned for me because he thought it would be easier to deal with a 33-year-old Katikiro than the much-revered Masembe Kabali and Eldard Mulira, who were the two main front-runners for the Katikiroship.

QN: How did the 33-year-old Nkangi conduct his campaign against the two favored front-runners?

Nkangi: One Sunday, someone rang to say that the Baganda wanted me to become the Katikiro. I asked him why me when there were many bigger shots? The following Monday, an old man called Ali Kasirye came to my chambers, stood in the doorway, and said, “Mayanja, I am told you are chickening out to become our Katikiro.” I told Ali that I am not chickening out, but I am not campaigning either. ‘If you can run the campaign for me, I am up for it.’ He volunteered to start my campaigns. However, I understand when Katikiro Michael Kintu was about to be relieved of his duties, the Kabaka asked him if he could recommend anybody for the post. Kintu forwarded my name as his choice but also wondered if I would be accepted because I was only 33 and not married. When the Kabaka heard this, he shrugged it off by saying, “When I became the Kabaka I was not married either!”

QN: At that time, were you close to the Kabaka?

Nkangi: I would say no, and I will tell you why! In 1938, when I was a small boy, much smaller than I am nowadays, the Kabaka came to my village, and I stretched my arms thinking that he may touch me. He did not. Later, at Budo, he came to speak to us, but the headmaster never allowed him. He was always a distant figure to me.

QN: You first served as a Katikiro for only three years, what happened?

Nkangi: That was enough. On 24th May 1966, Obote attacked the Kabaka’s palace, but I did not get that news. During my house arrest, I got some special milk from the police. But one of the lieutenants told me it had been poisoned. I had to pour it into the basin and pretend I had taken it. So, I was under house arrest for some time. Later, Obote deposed the Kabaka and declared Uganda a Republic and a One-Party State. In April 1969, I joined the newly formed National Consultative Council.

QN: Then came Idi Amin in 1971. Where were you?

Nkangi: I was busy farming. I wrote him a letter appreciating him for deposing Obote, but I did not join his government because I had just married. I used to be an ordinary farmer, minding my own business. But in February 1973, Amin’s right-hand man, Maliyamungu, came to my village and accused me of hiding rebels. He dragged me out and ordered his men to shoot me dead. Fortunately, one of the soldiers declined, arguing that I was a government lawyer. He was a Langi. So, Maliyamungu took me to Kampala. On my way to State Research Bureau in Nakasero, we met General Amin, who ordered my release. But Maliyamungu refused to execute the General’s order. I was taken to Makindye Military Barracks for several weeks, tortured, and then released. That’s why I fled to Kenya.

QN: How did you come back to Uganda?

Nkangi: In 1979, after Amin was deposed, I was invited by the President of the Uganda National Liberation Front to join the Executive Committee. After the elections, I was appointed the Minister of Education.

QN: And then you became the Minister of Justice?

Nkangi: I first became the Minister of Labor before being appointed the Minister of Justice in 1984.

QN: How was the Ministry of Justice?

Nkangi: Horrible! One time, I represented Uganda at a Commonwealth Conference, and delegates walked out when I told them I was from Uganda because at that time Uganda was known for violence and torture. In 1985, after Obote had been ousted by Tito Okello, I was detained in Lubiri for several months. In February 1986, I joined Yoweri Museveni’s government. I was the Minister of Finance until 1992 when I was posted to the Ministry of Justice and later returned to the Ministry of Education.

QN: A cross-section of people wants to hear your thoughts about the future of Uganda.

Nkangi: They should know that building a nation is a slow process. You need to educate the people, but you cannot educate them unless you have enough schools and teachers. In fact, I don’t expect Uganda to be where the West is now in my lifetime.

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Epilogue
Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi’s passing on March 6, 2017, marked the end of an era for Uganda. His wisdom, dedication, and unparalleled service to the nation remain a guiding light for future generations. Through his life’s story, we are reminded of the resilience and determination required to build a better Uganda.

Sources:

• Rotary Kampala South Magazine
• B. Diini Wamala (2000)
• Uganda Argus Archives