Benedicto Kagimu Mugumba Kiwanuka was a key figure in Uganda’s political scene during the 1950s and 1960s, known for both his influence and controversy.
Born in Kisabwa to Kaketo-Namugera, Kiwanuka was a member of the Baganda ethnic group and a devoted Catholic. He gained recognition as both a lawyer and politician, leaving a lasting mark on Uganda’s history.
He pursued legal studies in Lesotho before advancing to University College London, eventually joining Gray’s Inn in 1956. In 1961, Kiwanuka became Uganda’s first elected Prime Minister under the Democratic Party, which he had founded. However, political shifts led to his removal from office in 1962.
In 1971, Idi Amin appointed him as Uganda’s first black Chief Justice, and Kiwanuka earned respect for his unwavering defense of justice and the rule of law, even amid growing oppression by Amin’s regime.
Beyond his public role, Kiwanuka led a lavish lifestyle, owning one of the most costly cars in the 1960s and residing in a grand house located in the Ben Kiwanuka Zone, Rubaga. Unfortunately, in 2018, the house was demolished due to a financial dispute involving his son, during which his wife Maxencia Zalwango’s grave was also destroyed.
Kiwanuka’s life ended in tragedy in 1972. While presiding over a High Court case, he was detained by Amin’s forces and later killed at Makindye Military Prison on 22 September 1972. Reports of his death include accounts of severe torture, and some allege that Amin personally shot him.
Kiwanuka’s legacy is deeply rooted in Uganda’s political and legal evolution. He laid foundational work that inspired many, including his grandson, Mathias Kiwanuka, a former NFL player. Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Kiwanuka’s impact on Uganda continues to be honored.