Princess Elizabeth of Toro
Princess Elizabeth Nyabongo Bagaaya of Toro is the Batebe of Toro and an Ugandan politician, diplomat, lawyer, model, and actress, who was Minister for Foreign Affairs under Idi Amin and the first female barrister in Uganda. She is the aunt of the current King of Toro.
Early life & education
Princess Elizabeth was born to King George Rukiidi III and Queen Kezia, daughter of Mr. Nikodemo Kakoro (a senior chief of the king), in 1940. After finishing elementary school, she was sent to boarding school in Buganda, followed by Sherborne School for Girls, in England, where she was the only black student. "I felt that I was on trial and that my failure to excel would reflect badly on the entire black race." she later wrote. After one year, she was accepted to Cambridge, the third African woman in the institiution's history. In 1962 she graduated from Cambridge with a law degree. Three years later Elizabeth became a lawyer.
Royal life & modeling
Around this time her father died, and her brother Patrick was enthroned as King. Elizabeth
received the title and office of Batebe (Princess Royal), which, traditionally, made her the most powerful woman in
Toro, and the most trusted advisor of the King. King Fredrick Mutesa II of
Buganda, another of Uganda's traditional kingdoms, was now the President, with his
Prime Minister, Milton Obote. After the
coronation of George, Obote declared himself president. Elizabeth was afraid for her uncle's
life, but he escaped to London. Elizabeth later completed an internship at a law
firm, and became Uganda's first female lawyer. The year after, Obote abolished all the
traditional
Exile & return
In February 1975 Elizabeth escaped to Kenya, then to
Vienna, then to London. Four years later, Elizabeth returned to Uganda, to help with Uganda's
first free national elections, which were won by Milton Obote, who continued killing his enemies. Elizabeth and her lover
Wilbur Nyabongo escaped to London in 1980, and married in
1981. Finally Obote was overthrown and replaced by Yoweri
Museveni. In 1986 Elizabeth was appointed ambassador to the
Bibliography
- Hassen, Joyce. "African Princess". New York: Hyperion, 2004
- Elizabeth of Toro. "Elizabeth of Toro: The Odyssey of an African Princess". Simon and Shuster.
External links
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