Today I met the king of Busoga, one of the kingdoms in Uganda. At least, he claimed to be the king. Sadat Nkuutu is only 13 years old and still speaks with a high voice. I asked him why he wants to be king.
"Why do I want to be a king?" he asked, surprised. "Because I am a king."
How do you know you are a king?
"Kings have to be born with two umbilical cords and the millet seeds."
Millet seeds?, I asked, getting back "duh" stares. Apparently kings are born with millet seeds in both hands. The father of the "king" was also there and even produced two dried-out umbilical cords. Proof!
But there is opposition to the king in Busoga, with others also claiming royalty. "I don't know what will be done," Nkuutu said. "Justice will be done."
Today I also photographed the Minister for Relief Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, and met the ambassadors of Egypt, Sudan, Algeria and Burundi. Tomorrow is a huge public holiday -- Martyrs Day. More to come!
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- Anna Batcheller
- I'm a journalist and ethnomusicologist with an affinity for traveling, listening, making music and telling stories.
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