Humanist

Cathy messages: Hi, Norah. In The Conversation today, Mahmood says there are now 100 tribes in Uganda. You list 65, I think from the 2024 Census. I always went to 56 languages. What is happening?

I respond: The ones I list are listed in the Constitution.

CLICK HERE to learn “Uganda’s Indigenous Communities as at 1st February 1926 and 2024 Population Census

Cathy messages: That is 65 since 1995 Constitution?

I respond: It is the same ones itemized in the population census as well. They are recognized as the indigenous tribes as at 1926.

Cathy messages: Mahmood (Mamdani) is saying “Museveni created many more. So, from fewer than 20 tribes, he has created more that 100. It’s an endless process.” That’s a quote from an interview with him in The Conversation.

I respond: Well, the new ones were not included in the 2024 population census. So, what are they?

Cathy messages: Exactly.

This online exchange with Cathy is among the reasons I want to read “Slow Poison: Idi Amin, Yoweri Museveni and the Making of the Ugandan State,” by Mahmood Mamdani.

You see, Cathy isn’t the first to reach out to me with fact-check queries on this particular book by Mamdani.

I am tickled to be among those respected by persons of substance, such as Cathy and Kakwe, who also reached out to me prior with a fact-check query on the same Mamdani book.

CLICK HERE to read ” Sens of identity makes me nostalgic,” for my exchange with Kakwe.

In addition, the book reviews make me curious and want to read the book. I am certainly interested in postcolonial writing which discusses how our ancestors, “the colonized were dealt with a losing hand” and, therefore the reason of failed states of African nations.

I am also fascinated to read how it is Professor Mamdani makes such seemingly unsupported wild allegations, such as:

“Museveni revived tribal politics, curving the Country into ever smaller ethnic fiefdoms.”

I am intrigued.