UGANDA’S PRIME MINISTER

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 21 January 1929, Page 2

UGANDA’S PRIME MINISTER

No life lias yet been written of Sir Apolo Kagwa, but friends both British and African Jove to talk of him.

Large of stature, broad in build, erect in carriage, he was an impressive figure, especially in his robes of state. His expression was stern, at times almost forbidding, until his roving eyes caught sight of a friend. Then his face lit with sudden recognition and broke into a pleasant smile. His friendliness was eager and forthgoing and expressed itself in innumerable forms. Hospitality was a delight to him, and his beautiful house was used to the full. Whether it was a smart reception with a gold-edged invitation card for some distinguished stranger, or an African wedding party having a feast on his lawn, or a crowd of high school boys come for a good afternoon, the Katikiro was happy if he had guests. Samali, his wifo, though a friend of tho women missionaries, preferred to Temain .in chai’ge of the household out of sight. A worthy woman of the older school, she never took the .social, placo so natural to the young Kabaka’s charming wife, the Lady Irene. . . ... Sir Apolo was a generous giver, whether to causes or to individuals in need. The schools and the .... work of the mission called out his gifts; to one of the buildings of the great cathedral at Namirem.be he gave thirty per cent, of his own rentals from land for several years, and collected similar sums from tho chiefs. He liked to give those nice, not absolutely necessary things that cause special pleasure. The Mukono Training Coliege, for instance, owed to him the fine four-faced striking clock in its tower. He who had never gone to school not only gave his own sons a firstrate modern education but furthered schools in Uganda for boys and girls. He believed in higher education for women. Ho served on the education board of the diocese; he knew nearly every boy in the Mengo Boys’ High School; he read their essays; he followed their examination work; above all he loved the prize day with its awards.

He was in touch with questions of social reform. He, with forty other chiefs, drew up and signed a document giving liberty to all their slaves. He cared about better houses and sanitation for the people. He knew the value of publicity, and got out a little printing-press from England from which he issued pamphlets on subjects useful to farmers in rural areas. He believed in manual labour, and in industrial work. He sometimes gave a lesson in bricklaying or carpentry, and when clay- was needed for one of tho

earlier cathedrals —beforo tho present beautiful brick building was erected—ho joined tho long stream of men, women, and children carrying clay to the site, the only difference being that his load was heavier than the rest.

On Thursday afternoons, year after year, Sir Apolo had in his house a Bible class for chiefs, led by one of the missionaries. It begun as soon as tho session of the lukiko closed. Chiefs on foot or on bicycles, or even, latterly. in automobiles were to be seen streaming up his avenue, sometimes to tho number of sixty or seventy. Tho missionaries who used to attend it will reqicmber that Bible class all their lives.

What amazing changes those penetrating eyes of Sir Apolo Kagwa had seen in the country he loved and served. And how large a part he himself had played in bringing them about. In his lifetime Uganda had stepped from" almost complete isolation into the wider world, still keeping a distinctive character of its 1 own.— Georgina A. Gollock, in ‘‘Sons of Africa. ’ ’