Patriotism and Neo-Traditionalism in Buganda: The Kabaka Yekka ('The King Alone’) Movement, 1961-1962
Author(s)
Hancock, Ian R.
Abstract
The Kabaka Yekka movement was organized to defend a neo-traditionalist and tribal cause against the Democratic Party of Buganda. On June 10, 1961, a demonstration in Uganda protested the election in March of a Democratic government led by Benedicto Kiwanuka, a Catholic, a Muganda, and a commoner. The movement proved successful in February, 1962, as the Democratic Party was routed in an election, following which the representatives of the Kabaka Yekka movement formed a coalition with Milton Obote, the leader of the Uganda People’s Congress. But the movement was destroyed in 1966 by military force. Examines the origins and the rise of the movement in an attempt to answer two questions: How and why did Kabaka Yekka succeed within Buganda? Did the very fact or nature of this victory contribute to Buganda’s subsequent eclipse? The Kabaka Yekka stirred emotions and interests that were isolationist and “formulated a case which pointed to separation.” Concludes that the confrontation of 1966 was not inevitable.
