741S.00/12–753

The Second Secretary of the Embassy in the United Kingdom (Tibbetts) to the Department of State

confidential
No. 2044

Ref:

  • Embtel 2364 Dec. 11

Subject:

  • Deposition of the Kabaka of Buganda.

On November 30th the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Lyttelton, announced in the House of Commons that with great regret he had been compelled to withdraw recognition from the Kabaka of the Buganda and that the Kabaka, who was flying to England at the time the announcement was made, was not to be permitted to return to Uganda. A state [Page 369] of emergency had been declared and the Government of Uganda would make arrangements for the selection of a new Kabaka who was prepared to cooperate with the British Government. The reasons for the Kabaka’s deposition were given as his announced intention to refuse to cooperate with the British Government despite previous pledges that he would do so, and the fact that his continued presence would be a threat to public order.

This statement, which was totally unexpected, immediately precipitated a public uproar and a demand for a debate in Parliament. Mr. Lyttelton made it quite plain that his decision was final although he consented to meet the Kabaka if the latter so wished.

1.

The Government’s Position in This Matter. On December 2nd the debate took place affording the Government an opportunity to state the position. (There are enclosed copies of the House of Commons Journal covering this debate along with copies of a statement by the Governor of Uganda, a memorandum by the Great Lukiko of Buganda, and the Government’s reply to the Lukiko memorandum.)2 The Colonial Secretary outlined the events which had taken place in some detail. He stated that in the middle of August it had become evident that a crisis might develop in Buganda and that the matter had been viewed with great concern. This crisis had arisen over two demands originally made by the Kabaka, (1) that the affairs of Buganda should be transferred from the Colonial Office to the Foreign Office and (2) that assurances be given on the question of East African Federation. (It will be recalled that on July 2nd Mr. Lyttelton had made an after dinner speech in London in which he had referred in very general terms to the necessity of considering the evolution as time went on of the still larger measures of Federation of the East African territories.)3 On this point Mr. Lyttelton said that he had been able to give the Kabaka full satisfaction and he emphasized that the problem of Federation had not entered into the current dispute. The real issue had been the Kabaka’s insistence that a schedule must be set for the independence of Buganda within the Commonwealth which would involve the separation of Buganda from the rest of the Protectorate. Even after assurances on Federation had been given, the Kabaka was not prepared to accept the decision of the British Government on the basic issues and had made it clear that he would refuse to cooperate with the British Government and would not appoint Buganda representatives to the legislative council. Under the circumstances, the British Government had no alternative but to take [Page 370] the steps which it had taken. Mr. Lyttelton emphasized the care which had been taken in making this decision. He dwelt upon the fact that the Kabaka had had six long and serious discussions with the Governor on the subject and that all possible means had been taken to prevent his acting in a precipitate and unwise manner. Since the Labor speakers in the debate had stressed the Colonial Secretary’s “high handed” approach to Africans, the Secretary detailed his own attempts to clarify the situation and emphasized the confidence and trust which he reposed in the Governor, Sir Andrew Cohen, an appointee of the Labor Government.

The Kabaka arrived in London on December 1st and saw the Secretary on December 2nd. Mr. Lyttelton said that their conversation had been a most painful affair because of the dignity of the Kabaka’s manner and his obvious distress at the death of his sister, a distress shared by the Colonial Secretary. (On hearing of her brother’s deposition the Kabaka’s elder sister had fallen dead from shock.) At this point Mr. Lyttelton, to the surprise of the House and the press, revealed deep emotion and said that he personally had found it most difficult to act as he had done towards the Kabaka who “was a member of my University and of my Regiment, and a friend of my son’s at Cambridge.” (The significance of these ties to a British audience is virtually immeasurable.) For once the Colonial Secretary was well received by the House and Labor speakers did not dwell in the usual manner upon his alleged brusquerie and insensitiveness. It was a striking personal triumph for the Colonial Secretary although later in the debate he returned to his more usual form in a sharp interchange with Mr. James Griffiths.4

2.

The Labor Party Position. The Opposition’s attitude on this question is deeply intermingled with domestic politics. They have never liked Mr. Lyttelton and exploit to the hilt his overbearing and blunt parliamentary manner as well as his reputation as a successful financier which, they say, makes him the personification of those interests against which Labor is dedicated. Very few of them pretend to have much information on Buganda and privately some Labor MPs regretted the haste with which Labor moved on this question because the Party “might well find it has been backing the wrong horse.” Nevertheless, they made considerable play on Mr. Lyttelton’s remarks on East African Federation, a point on which he is obviously touchy, and queried loudly why such drastic action had been necessary in a Colony where previously all had been tranquil. Mr. James Griffiths eloquently begged the Colonial Secretary to reconsider his position and withdrew a draft motion of censure in the last few seconds of the debate on the grounds that it might yet be possible for the Secretary to come to some [Page 371] compromise solution. Later the Minister of State again stressed that the decision was final.

Although the Kabaka has seen some Labor members, he has made no comments to the press beyond a few words of greeting and has acted in a non-political way since his arrival; he had not been in London five minutes before he borrowed £100 from the Colonial Office and went off shopping in a taxi. It may well be that he is not particularly interested in having Labor play up his case since he is reported to have said that he had always liked London and was looking forward to being here. There is also current in Labor circles a rumor that the Kabaka’s private life has very questionable features and a certain amount of caution may develop in the Party’s dealing with him. Nevertheless, the sudden nature of the Government’s action will probably be played up by Labor for some time, particularly since the Government has made plain that its decision is irrevocable. On December 2 the Opposition misplayed its hand badly by assuming, with considerable justification, that Mr. Lyttelton would present his case badly; they withdrew their motion of censure after his speech but have not abandoned it entirely, to the disgust of the Government which has pointed out sharply that Labor had prepared its motion before bothering to hear the Government’s case.

There is strong sentiment in the Labor Party for launching an early debate, probably with a motion of censure against Mr. Lyttelton on the general question of his handling of Colonial problems. As the Manchester Guardian pointed out in a not unfriendly editorial, the record of the Colonial Secretary in recent months is not good. He has had his successes in the Nigerian Conference and the West Indies, but Kenya, Nayasaland, Northern Rhodesia, British Guiana and now Nigeria again have all displayed disturbing symptoms. With the Labor Party it has become a tenet of faith to attack Mr. Lyttelton wildly and violently and at the moment the Labor press is trumpetting loudly that “Lyttelton must go,” or “This man is dangerous.” Right-wing Labor MPs may deplore to a certain extent these assaults, but they say that it is obvious that the Colonial Secretary is seriously miscast in his present role and that the Party is justified in exploiting to the hilt the ineptitude displayed by any Conservative Minister, particularly since there are few Ministers in a vulnerable position. Mr. Lyttelton himself has not helped his cause by his obvious impatience with his critics although on December 2nd he did unquestionably move the House by the sincerity of his manner.

Labor’s attitude is further conditioned by the current situation within the Conservative Party, with the Conservatives being off balance as a result of recent Gallup polls and the Holborn–St. Pancras [Page 372] by-election.5 Those militants among the Labor MPs who believe that attack on every conceivable occasion is demanded are capitalizing on the obvious embarrassment which these Colonial issues have caused the Government in recent months, and unquestionably many back bench Conservatives are unhappy at the fierceness of Mr. Lyttelton’s manner when confronting the Opposition. It is very doubtful that Colonial issues will ever become a major factor in British politics, and privately Labor MPs say that no votes ever turn on events in Africa; by keeping before the public the specter of an arrogant Tory Colonial Secretary alienating large sections of the Empire with his every move, however, the Labor Party can lower the Government’s general standing in the country and create a widespread uneasiness about the manner in which Colonial affairs are being handled. There are indications that they are having some success in creating an atmosphere of disquiet about colonial problems. It is expected therefore that Buganda will be added to the Labor list and that Mr. Lyttelton will continue to occupy a disproportionate amount of Parliamentary time and energy, unless, of course, he suddenly achieves a successful settlement of some of the Empire’s problems. Sections of the press have hinted that the Government would not be displeased to see a major attack on Mr. Lyttelton on the theory (a) that such an attack would force the Conservatives who are somewhat unruly at the moment to tighten their ranks behind the Colonial Secretary, particularly since (b) when the chips are down Mr. Lyttelton has demonstrated that he can rise to the Parliamentary occasion.

3.

Colonial Office Comment: The Colonial Office says that there is relatively little of a factual nature to add to the Government’s statements on this crisis. The issue was perhaps precipitated by the Colonial Secretary’s speech on East African Federation but Buganda nationalism has been simmering for a long time and, if this excuse had not been seized, another would have been found. The issue of Federation was disposed of completely by the Secretary’s assurances, but the Kabaka immediately chose another aspect of the future of Buganda to press the issue.

The reasons for the Kabaka’s actions are somewhat obscure. He has been losing popularity rapidly because of an unfortunate extramarital liaison and there were indications that he was becoming nervous about his position among his own people. There is some evidence pointing to the fact that he hoped to regain popularity by setting himself up as a champion of Buganda nationalism and to “cash in” on the sympathy he would inevitably receive. On the other hand, “absolutely off the record,” it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he wanted to leave Uganda. (Embassy Comment: This [Page 373] interpretation is strongly supported by the Kabaka’s behavior since arriving in London. He has refused to comment to the press or to meet representatives of the Uganda student groups, etc.; he is negotiating for a residence in Tangier; he has cabled the Regents in Kampala urging their cooperation with the Governor.)

Frankly, the Colonial Office expected more trouble in Buganda than has occurred. Every thing has been quiet, and the anticipated disturbances have not taken place. The future of the Buganda remains the most serious problem, for their nationalistic sentiments are increasing. On the issue of the Kabaka himself and his actions, the Colonial Office is confident that its case is strong. The Secretary will receive a delegation from the Lukiko probably before Christmas.

Margaret J. Tibbetts
  1. Not printed; it reported that Lyttelton had informed the House of Commons on Nov. 30 that the Kabaka of Buganda, Mutesa (Edward Frederick) II, was no longer recognized by the British Government. (741S.00/12–153) The Kabaka was the traditional ruler of the Ganda.
  2. None printed. The Lukiko was the traditional Ganda representative body.
  3. The Ganda claimed that jurisdiction over their affairs had been transferred to the Colonial Office without local approval in 1902. As for Lyttelton’s speech, which is discussed in despatch 375, supra, East Africans feared the implementation of a confederation such as had been established in Central Africa against the will of the majority and thus were very sensitive on this matter.
  4. Former Colonial Secretary in the Labour Government.
  5. Labour retained this seat on Nov. 19, by a greater plurality than in the general election.