The Trials of Jonam

A bit of Wadelai history which is the background to this play is pretty well known. Wadelai in whose name the village was named after was charismatic and respectable leader of the Jonam people. His chiefdom had a strong relationship with the Kingdom of Bunyoro.Against him stood the arrival of Major General E.R Owen who was mandated to establish a command center and the British government administration in Wadelai. Wadelai became weary and pale. The defeat of King Kabalega troubled chief Wadelai. In 1894 Major General Owen arrived and the British flag was hoisted at Wadelai on both banks of the river Nile. With Maj. Gen. Owen was also Mr. Edward who issued administrative directives. These directives had two main provisions. First a promise of protection supply of goods and services and the transition of Wadelai to Town. Second and most important was unhindered access to Wadelai’s vast land forest wild game (elephants Rhinos) and labour force. The one sided lecture ended at 3:30PM without a single reply from Chief Wadelai.In the years that followed the officials from the Empire on which the Sun never set subjected the Jonam people to forced labour and exploitation.