Benedicto Kiwanuka
Encyclopedia
Benedicto Kabimu Mugumba Kiwanuka (May 1922 - September 22, 1972) was the first Prime Minister of Uganda
, leader of the Democratic Party
and one of the early leaders that led the country in the transition between colonial British rule and independence. He was murdered by Idi Amin
's regime in 1972.
, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major
in the Second World War
. After returning from the war, he worked as an Interpreter at the High Court of Uganda.
Wanting to study law, he prepared by attending a matriculation course Law in Lesotho
(1950 - 1952), before proceeding to Britain
to attend University College London
(1952-1956). He was admitted to the Bar association
at Gray's Inn
in February 1956. Returning to Uganda, he practiced law privately from 1956 to 1959.
In 1958 he was elected President General of the predominantly Catholic
Democratic Party. He re-organized the Party and made it popular throughout Uganda. The Democratic Party won a majority in the March 1961 legislative elections (partly as a result of low voter turnout in Buganda
), and Kiwanuka became Chief Minister in the Uganda Legislative Council. As a result of the September 1961 Uganda Constitutional Conference held in London, Uganda achieved internal self-government on March 1, 1962 and Benedicto Kiwanuka became Uganda's first Prime Minister in the new National Assembly
. However, new elections were held in April 1962, and Kiwanuka's party lost to an alliance of Milton Obote
's Uganda People's Congress
and the Buganda traditionalist party, Kabaka Yekka
. Uganda achieved independence on October 9, 1962, with Obote as the first Prime Minister of a fully independent Uganda.
Benedicto Kiwanuka was imprisoned in 1969 by Obote's government, and later released by Idi Amin
who appointed him as the First Ugandan Chief Justice. Kiwanuka soon came into confrontation with Idi Amin's disregard for the rule of law. On September 22, 1972 he was murdered by Idi Amin's forces.
Kiwanuka's grandson, Mathias Kiwanuka
, played defensive end for Boston College
's football
team from 2001 to 2005 and was the New York Giants
' first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
. He is now a starting linebacker
for the Giants.
Prime Minister of Uganda
-List of Prime Ministers of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*President of Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
, leader of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Uganda)
The Democratic Party is a moderate conservative political party in Uganda currently led by Norbert Mao. DP was led by Paul Ssemogerere for 25 years until his retirement in November 2005...
and one of the early leaders that led the country in the transition between colonial British rule and independence. He was murdered by Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
's regime in 1972.
Biography
After attending primary school, he joined the King's African RiflesKing's African Rifles
The King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
in the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After returning from the war, he worked as an Interpreter at the High Court of Uganda.
Wanting to study law, he prepared by attending a matriculation course Law in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
(1950 - 1952), before proceeding to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to attend University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(1952-1956). He was admitted to the Bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in February 1956. Returning to Uganda, he practiced law privately from 1956 to 1959.
In 1958 he was elected President General of the predominantly Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Democratic Party. He re-organized the Party and made it popular throughout Uganda. The Democratic Party won a majority in the March 1961 legislative elections (partly as a result of low voter turnout in Buganda
Buganda
Buganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
), and Kiwanuka became Chief Minister in the Uganda Legislative Council. As a result of the September 1961 Uganda Constitutional Conference held in London, Uganda achieved internal self-government on March 1, 1962 and Benedicto Kiwanuka became Uganda's first Prime Minister in the new National Assembly
National Assembly of Uganda
The Parliament of Uganda, comprises 215 Constituency Representatives, 79 District Woman Representatives, 10 Uganda People's Defence Forces Representatives, 5 Representatives of the Youth, 5 Representatives of Persons with Disabilities, 5 Representatives of Workers, and 13 Ex-officio Members.After...
. However, new elections were held in April 1962, and Kiwanuka's party lost to an alliance of Milton Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
's Uganda People's Congress
Uganda People's Congress
The Uganda People's Congress is a political party in Uganda.Uganda People's Congress was founded in 1960 by Milton Obote, who led the country to Independence and later served two presidential terms under the party's banner...
and the Buganda traditionalist party, Kabaka Yekka
Kabaka Yekka
Kabaka Yekka was a monarchist political party in Uganda. The party's name means 'king only' in the Ganda language language, Kabaka being the title of the King of the kingdom of Buganda....
. Uganda achieved independence on October 9, 1962, with Obote as the first Prime Minister of a fully independent Uganda.
Benedicto Kiwanuka was imprisoned in 1969 by Obote's government, and later released by Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
who appointed him as the First Ugandan Chief Justice. Kiwanuka soon came into confrontation with Idi Amin's disregard for the rule of law. On September 22, 1972 he was murdered by Idi Amin's forces.
Kiwanuka's grandson, Mathias Kiwanuka
Mathias Kiwanuka
Mathias Kagimu Kiwanuka is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was originally drafted 32nd overall in the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at Boston College. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.-Early...
, played defensive end for Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
's football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team from 2001 to 2005 and was the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
' first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He is now a starting linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Giants.