Africans and Tribalism

The events in Kenya were a reminder that tribalism is alive and well in Africans. There was a time when it was claimed that introduction of a national language in Uganda would help stifle any tribal sentiments, this position now appears untenable especially that the majority of Kenyans speak Swahili. When I arrived in the UK about a year ago, I went to the Ugandan High Commission in Trafalgar Square to get information about any social groups and/or networks for Ugandans in the UK. I was shocked when the good gentleman sitting behind the counter at Uganda House told me that he only had information about cultural (read tribal) groups like Baganda, Acholi and Banyankore and where they met. Sensing my surprise he added that he could also get me contacts for NRM and FDC members and where they met. At that moment it downed on me that despite the rhetoric, tribe is the most important form of identity to Africans. I have now resigned to the fact that as Africans we will always identify ourselves by tribe and it is the duty of our leaders to provide an environment that promotes leaving together in peace rather create and promote antagonism between the different tribes.

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