The Namirembe Agreement is a pivotal moment in Uganda`s history, as it helped to define the relationship between the Buganda Kingdom and the central government. Signed on June 18, 1955, the agreement granted the Buganda Kingdom a significant degree of autonomy within Uganda.
However, when it comes to who actually signed the agreement on behalf of the Buganda Kingdom, there is some confusion. Several key figures were involved in the negotiations, and different sources offer different accounts of who put pen to paper on that fateful day.
One popular theory is that the agreement was signed by Sir Andrew Cohen, the British Governor of Uganda, and Sir Edward Mutesa II, the Kabaka (king) of Buganda. This version of events is supported by many historians and is widely accepted as the most accurate.
However, there are also reports that suggest that the actual signatories of the agreement were two Buganda Kingdom officials: Sir John Babiiha and Sir Daudi Chwa. According to this account, Babiiha and Chwa signed the agreement on behalf of the Kabaka, who was not present at the negotiations.
Despite this discrepancy, most historians agree that the Namirembe Agreement was a critical moment in Uganda`s history, one that helped to define the country`s political landscape for decades to come. The agreement granted the Buganda Kingdom a significant degree of autonomy, including control over its own land, judicial system, and local government.
Today, the Namirembe Agreement remains a potent symbol of Uganda`s struggle for independence and autonomy. It is widely celebrated among the people of Buganda and serves as a reminder of the importance of political negotiation and compromise in building a strong and vibrant nation.
