I have been asked if I have handwritten material by any of the previous abakama of @ObukamaBwaTooro. Handwritten letters are found throughout Ugandan and British archives. I am pleased to provide a copy of this handwritten letter by Omukama Rukirabasaija Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe III to Hesketh Bell, 5 November 1909 (RCS, University of Cambridge). Please let me know what you think about the letter. You may access the two-page letter here: jonathonearle.com/resources

Few intellectuals wrote as much about the history of the Babiito as Eridadi Mulira. His 1970s history, "The Kingdom of Kooki during the 19th century," raised important insights into the authority and history of kingship. What did Mulira argue? Mulira maintained that royal authority in @Bunyoro_Kitara, @ObukamaBwaTooro, his own, Kooki, and to a lesser extent, @BugandaKingdom_ ultimately derived its legitimacy from the Ababiito. As he put it, "It is safe to say ... that Rukidi Mpuga Ssengoma was the founder of the Babiito Dynasty in Bunyoro, and that his brother Kintu became the first Kabaka of Buganda." It's where the story begins. Strictly speaking, Babiito were not signing off on the election or appointment of kings. That they were present and creating kings in the first place signified the very foundation of unification. Without their consent and collective authority, monarchy was an impossibility. For Mulira, royal authority existed insofar as clans extended their popular support and abakama had "collected" the support and well-wishes of the clans and ababiito. Centering clan authority made democracy meaningful in the everyday operations of Uganda's kingdoms. To disregard their authority was to silence democratic consensus. The Ababiito ensured that power was decentralized by design. You may completely disagree with Mulira, but his history is provocative. I digitized it a few years ago @theUL. You may freely download and read it here: jonathonearle.com/resources

Uganda has some of the best journalists on the planet. The care, compassion and professionalism with which national, regional and local reporters, photographers, videographers and producers have covered the tragic passing of Omukama Oyo Rukidi IV has been remarkable—a clinic in what sensitive and responsive journalism should look like.

This is precisely the sort of coverage that reinforces an utter disregard for all of the remarkable and outstanding things happening in Uganda by government workers and ordinary citizens. And that @TheEconomist would publish this today—of all days—when the nation and @ObukamaBwaTooro are in mourning and a king’s body has been returned for burial is not only tone deaf. It is deeply offensive and inexcusable. I believe a public apology is warranted.