Sir Edward Mutesa II
Sir Edward Mutesa II was the King (Kabaka) of Buganda, one of the largest and most influential kingdoms in Uganda. His leadership spanned from 1939 until his exile in 1966, and he played a crucial role in Uganda's path to independence. Known for his diplomacy and influence, Mutesa II helped shape the early political landscape of Uganda. His legacy is marked by his struggle for the cultural and political autonomy of Buganda within a newly independent Uganda.

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Sir Edward Frederick William David Walugembe Mutebi Luwangula Mutesa II (19 November 1924 – 21 November 1969) was the 35th Kabaka (King) of the Kingdom of Buganda, a historic kingdom located in present-day Uganda. He was a significant political figure, both as the monarch of Buganda and as the first President of Uganda after the country gained independence in 1962.
Born at the royal palace of Makindye in Buganda, Mutesa II was the eldest son of Kabaka Daudi Chwa II and Lady Irene Drusilla Namaganda. He ascended to the throne at the age of 18 following his father's death in 1939. Educated in England, Mutesa attended King's College Budo in Uganda and later, Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he studied history and law. His education prepared him for leadership roles, both in Buganda and later on the national stage.
During his reign, Mutesa II was instrumental in the politics of Uganda, which was then under British colonial rule. His advocacy for the autonomy of Buganda within a federated Uganda led to tensions with British authorities. In 1953, Mutesa II was exiled to London by the British colonial government after he refused to comply with their plans to create an East African federation, which he believed would weaken Buganda's sovereignty. However, due to significant public outcry in Buganda, he was allowed to return to his throne in 1955, albeit under certain conditions that limited his power.
Mutesa II's role in post-independence Uganda was equally significant. He became a central figure in the debates about Uganda's political future, with Buganda's role being a contentious issue. In 1962, Uganda gained independence from Britain, and Mutesa was elected as the country's first President, a largely ceremonial role, while Milton Obote served as Prime Minister. However, the relationship between Mutesa and Obote deteriorated, particularly over the issue of federalism and the powers of the central government versus those of the Buganda kingdom.
In 1966, Obote suspended the constitution, declared himself executive president, and ordered an attack on the Lubiri (Mutesa's palace). Mutesa fled into exile in the United Kingdom, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1969 in London, and while the cause of his death was officially recorded as alcohol poisoning, many of his supporters believed he was assassinated.
Despite his exile and death, Mutesa II remains a revered figure in Buganda and Uganda at large. His legacy as a king and national leader is remembered, and in 1971, following Idi Amin's coup that overthrew Obote, Mutesa's body was returned to Uganda and given a state funeral. He was buried in the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the traditional burial place of Buganda kings.
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Sir Edward Mutesa II assumed office as the first President of Uganda on October 9, 1962, following the country’s independence from British colonial rule. His presidency marked a significant moment in Uganda's history as he became the ceremonial head of state in a newly independent nation. However, his time in office was turbulent, marked by growing political tensions between the presidency and the prime minister's office, particularly with Milton Obote. These tensions escalated into a political crisis, and on March 15, 1966, Mutesa was deposed in a military coup orchestrated by Obote. Following his ousting, Mutesa was forced into exile in the United Kingdom, where he lived until his death in 1969. His brief tenure as president was overshadowed by political instability that would later define Uganda's post-independence era.