Background
In pre colonial times, Uganda was composed of kingdoms and societies headed by chiefs and clan leaders. Whereas most societies in Uganda, like the North and North eastern communities, were loosely set up systems led by clan leaders, others like Bunyoro, Buganda, Ankole and Toro were organised kingdoms.
In 1966, political powers of the traditional leaders were abolished in post independent Uganda by the nationalist movement led by Milton Obote, who opposed the kings because of their collaboration with the colonial authorities. The Nationalists further considered the traditional leaders divisive and a threat to the growing republic. Later, the 1970s and 1980s were characterised by political instability and civil unrest, which led to serious repercussions for the cultural institutions. Many of the leaders like the Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda and Omukama Patrick Kaboyo of Toro were forced into exile to escape the regime of terror. It was not until 1986 that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, by an amendment to the constitution in 1993, reinstated the kingdoms. The kingdoms would never enjoy the sovereignty of pre colonial times, but they would be instrumental in mobilising the country towards social and economic recovery.
Read more about this topic: Rukidi IV Of Toro
Famous quotes containing the word background:
“In the true sense one’s native land, with its background of tradition, early impressions, reminiscences and other things dear to one, is not enough to make sensitive human beings feel at home.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
“Pilate with his question “What is truth?” is gladly trotted out these days as an advocate of Christ, so as to arouse the suspicion that everything known and knowable is an illusion and to erect the cross upon that gruesome background of the impossibility of knowledge.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment; that background which the painter may not daub, be he master or bungler, and which, however awkward a figure we may have made in the foreground, remains ever our inviolable asylum, where no indignity can assail, no personality can disturb us.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)