Ham Mukasa
Encyclopedia
Ham Mukasa was a page in the court of Mutesa I of Buganda (in present day Uganda
) and later secretary to Apolo Kagwa
. He was fluent in both English
and Swahili
. He wrote one of the first glossaries of the Ganda language language.
). He converted to Christianity at a young age. He suffered serious injury in the 1886 massacre of Christians by Mwanga II
. As a result, he had a weak leg. Around 1898, he married Наnnаh Wаwеmukо, the daughter of a former chief minister of Uganda.
. It was translated into English by Ernest Millar of the Church Mission Society
in Uganda. In London, Mukasa stayed at Alexandra Palace
, and visited the London Hippodrome
, attended a play in Drury Lane
, and met with a variety of people such as writer Henry Morton Stanley
and ex-governor of Uganda Harry Johnston
.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
) and later secretary to Apolo Kagwa
Apolo Kagwa
Sir Apolo Kagwa KCMG MBE is considered Buganda's first and foremost ethnographer. He was appointed prime minister of the Kingdom of Buganda by King Mwanga II in 1890, and served in that capacity until 1926...
. He was fluent in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
. He wrote one of the first glossaries of the Ganda language language.
Early life
Mukasa was the son of Makabugo Sensalire, a minor chief in the Buddu District (present day Masaka DistrictMasaka District
Masaka District is a district in Central Uganda. Its main town is Masaka, whose estimated population in 2011 was 74,100.-Location:The district is bordered by Bukomansimbi District to the northwest, Kalungu District to the north, Kalangala District to the east and south, Rakai District to the...
). He converted to Christianity at a young age. He suffered serious injury in the 1886 massacre of Christians by Mwanga II
Mwanga II of Buganda
Danieri Basammula-Ekkere Mwanga II Mukasa was Kabaka from 1884 until 1888 and from 1889 until 1897. He was the thirty-first Kabaka of Buganda.-Claim to the throne:...
. As a result, he had a weak leg. Around 1898, he married Наnnаh Wаwеmukо, the daughter of a former chief minister of Uganda.
Journeys in England
Mukasa's book Uganda's Katikiro in England details his experiences on his journey from his homeland to the coronation of Edward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
. It was translated into English by Ernest Millar of the Church Mission Society
Church Mission Society
The Church Mission Society, also known as the Church Missionary Society, is a group of evangelistic societies working with the Anglican Communion and Protestant Christians around the world...
in Uganda. In London, Mukasa stayed at Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is a building in North London, England. It stands in Alexandra Park, in an area between Hornsey, Muswell Hill and Wood Green...
, and visited the London Hippodrome
Hippodrome, London
The Hippodrome is a building on the corner of Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square in the City of Westminster, London. The name was used for many different theatres and music halls, of which the London Hippodrome is one of only a few survivors...
, attended a play in Drury Lane
Drury Lane
Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster....
, and met with a variety of people such as writer Henry Morton Stanley
Henry Morton Stanley
Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB, born John Rowlands , was a Welsh journalist and explorer famous for his exploration of Africa and his search for David Livingstone. Upon finding Livingstone, Stanley allegedly uttered the now-famous greeting, "Dr...
and ex-governor of Uganda Harry Johnston
Harry Johnston
Sir Henry "Harry" Hamilton Johnston, GCMG, KCB , was a British explorer, botanist, linguist and colonial administrator, one of the key players in the "Scramble for Africa" that occurred at the end of the 19th century....
.