Bitcoin, Buganda, and Barrels of Oil: Uganda’s Past, Present, and Future
After many years of planning and promoting, recording artist and producer, social entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Akon, recently named Uganda as the site for his second futuristic city, AKON CITY. Despite his native Senegal being the initial site for his vision of a global powerhouse for technology, tourism, and trade, the “Smack That” singer notes the bounty and beauty of this eastern African nation’s potential to thrive in a competitive market for his choice. Akon’s assertion that Uganda is the prime location for his vision promoted my inspection of the country of Uganda: its past, present, and future.
Like a pearl enclosed within the shells of the oyster, Uganda is surrounded by five countries: South Sudan in the north, Kenya to the East, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, and Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west. This landlocked nation includes diverse landscape, housing waterfalls, snow capped mountains, grasslands, and lakes. Though Uganda’s abundance in agricultural resources contributes to its appeal, its historical narrative is as interesting as it is scant in history classes.
Two Birds One Stone: Domination Over Rivals and Pacification of a Menacing Enemy
Many African nations suffered the horrors of colonization by Europeans, whereas Uganda became a willing protectorate under the British Empire in 1894. Buganda, as it was first dubbed by its new controlling state, was actually one of two kingdoms vying for complete domination of the region between what are now called Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. Bunyoro, Buganda’s rival, occupied more land, spilling down from the northwest toward the smaller kingdom of Buganda, which hugged Lake Victoria.
Just as the seasons come and go, so does power. With its prime location on the massive lake, and thus access to the trade routes reaching out to the Indian Ocean, Buganda experienced an economic boom. Coupled with the mass production and variety of uses of the matoke banana, this second-tier kingdom quickly became an influence and threat, seizing Bunyoro territory. Unsurprisingly, this provoked battles between the two kingdoms. Despite its dwindling size from chieftains, defecting to establish their own territory, and military defeats, the Bunyoro prevailed under the leadership of newly appointed King Kabarego in 1869. Still, both the Bunyoro and Buganda would face a more terrifying foe: the Brits.
Before the tension between the opposing nations, many Europeans, curious about the varied and lush lands of Africa and the source of the Nile River, would visit the region. In 1862, a British soldier by the name of John Hanning Speke would identify Lake Victoria as the source of the great Nile River, creating a frenzy of European explorers, missionaries, and would-be colonizers traveling to the region.
The successor of Buganda’s King Mutesa I (1856–84) was an eager yet inexperienced king whose actions would secure Christianity’s iron grip and Britain’s inevitable control of not only Buganda but Bunyoro and the surrounding kingdoms as well. Noting the might of the Europeans, the kabaka or ruler, brokered a deal with this immense and intruding force. In exchange for Buguanda’s submission to British occupation, the king safeguarded his victory over Bunyoro, fighting on behalf of the British to subdue the now smaller kingdom and not only accepting by upholding British law and order. Though the British would agree to call their new protectorate Buganda, the king was ineffectual. Consequently, in 1897 the kabaka would regret his actions and would call on Bunyoro to oust the British. Unfortunately, this coup d’état was squashed, leading to their exile to the Seychelles. Buganda officially became Uganda.
Even though Uganda would win its independence from the British in 1962, it experienced periods of violence, including genocide, war, and dictatorships, peppered with a few years of peace and prosperity. By 1993, the two kingdoms would reemerge. And though the central power would remain in Buganda’s capital city of Kampala, the power remained in the hands of an elected official as it had since 1986.
Cryptocurrency, Controversy, and Conspiracy
Those hands belong to current President Yoweri Museveni. With over 35 years in office, President Museveni steered Uganda from the violent leadership of Idi Amin in 1979 and the questionable leadership of Milton Obote in 1985. Even though western leaders have regarded President Museveni as a ‘new generation of African leaders,’ his presidency is as marred as his predecessors. With his recent inauguration (May 11, 2021), Museveni deployed government forces to quell his opposition, which is led by Ugandan musician/political activist Bobi Wine.
In an interview with “The 77 Percent,” an African-based news platform that addresses issues impacting the continent’s largest population-the youth, which makes up more than three quarters of the entire population, Wine stated, “It’s unfortunate that in many parts of Africa, in particular in Uganda, being in a position of power or position of governance, government has been reduced to self-aggrandizement, to self-enrichment, which must stop and which will stop.”
Despite the appeal of being the potential site a futuristic city, skeptical Ugandans see Museveni’s decision to support the development of an Akon City in Uganda as another backdoor dealing, allowing the President to acquire personal wealth and the government to seize lands. These concerns are based on recent truths; upon discovering crude oil deposits, the government displaced residents living near Lake Albert
Still, the ambitious Akon plans to build the second of his technologically advanced cities (the first in his native Senegal) in Uganda in spite of the controversy. With his allotted one-square mile, Akon insists that his city will be an inclusive community, welcoming inhabitants from all walks of life and all over the globe. Though Bitcoin is the oldest cryptocurrency, Akoin will be the chosen currency. Considering the turmoil that permeates every facet of life in Uganda at present: infrastructure funded and constructed by foreign sovereignties; civil unrest and distrust of leadership; environmental concerns surrounding the pipeline; and economic uncertainty, many natives and those interested in seeing African nations succeed remain doubtful.
Sources:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Buganda”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Dec. 2008, https://www.britannica.com/place/Buganda. Accessed 13 May 2021.
(www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. “Ugandans Criticize Oil Pipeline Deal with Tanzania and Total: DW: 13.04.2021.” DW.COM, www.dw.com/en/ugandans-criticize-oil-pipeline-deal-with-tanzania-and-total/a-57186579.
“Uganda Gives Akon Land For Cryptocurrency-Based City Amid Heated Controversy .” Zenger News, Joseph Elunya, 15 Apr. 2021, www.zenger.news/2021/04/15/uganda-gives-akon-land-for-cryptocurrency-based-city-amid-heated-controversy/.
