Neighbours and Nationals in an African City Ward

This insightful study explores the maintenance of tribal ties in a diverse middle-class community in Kampala, Uganda, revealing complex social dynamics.

In Neighbours and Nationals in an African City Ward, the author delves into the intricate dynamics of tribal ties within a diverse middle-class community in Kampala, Uganda. The study highlights how these connections are maintained amidst the backdrop of political independence in the early 1960s, a time when many Africans anticipated significant advancements in development, education, and living standards. With hopes high for a society that could transcend the ethnic tensions born from colonial legacies, the reality soon proved more complex.

The emergence of new national boundaries transformed individuals who had settled far from their ancestral homes into perceived 'aliens.' This shift created a new context where nationality, ethnicity, and socio-economic status interplayed in ways that were both challenging and revealing. The optimism surrounding socio-economic progress was overshadowed by the resurgence of nationalist and ethnic conflicts, which disrupted the lives of mixed-status groups, often leading to the expulsion of certain communities, such as two Kenyan ethnic groups.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the colonial imposition of ethnic and national identities was not merely a historical artifact but a living reality that people began to internalize. The book ultimately illustrates how these identities became fundamental to social and political evaluations in the community, reflecting the broader complexities of life in a post-colonial African city. Originally published in 1969, this analysis remains relevant for understanding the ongoing challenges faced by multicultural societies today.