ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neema Shah is an emerging author born in London to Kenyan-Indian parents. She pursued a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, which laid the foundation of her literary career.
Shah’s multicultural background and keen storytelling abilities have contributed to her unique narrative voice. She gained widespread recognition for her debut book, Kololo Hill, published in 2021.
SYNOPSIS (MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)
Neema Shah’s Kololo Hill is a poignant and compelling novel that explores the untold history of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in the 1970s.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing political landscape, the story revolves around the life of Asha and her family as they navigate the complex web of identity, displacement, and survival.
Asha is a young girl who grows up in a vibrant and diverse community in Kampala. As the political situation in Uganda deteriorates under the despotic rule of Idi Amin, the Asian community, including Asha’s family, faces persecution. The family is eventually forced to flee their homeland. The novel follows the family’s heart-rending journey from the vibrant city of Kampala to the eponymous Kololoo Hill before eventually ending up in a refugee camp in the United Kingdom.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT KOLOLO HILL
Kololo Hill is a tale of resilience, love, and the humane search for a sense of belonging. Neema Shah masterfully captures the emotions, struggles, and sacrifices of the protagonists as they grapple with the loss of their homes. She also delves deep into the challenges of starting anew in unfamiliar lands. Through vivid storytelling and well-drawn characters, the novel offers a window into a historical event often overlooked in literature.
And that’s what Kololo Hill truly is – a significant literary work that sheds light on a lesser-known historical event, namely the expulsion of Asians, most of them Indians, from Uganda in the 1970s.
One of the novel’s notable strengths is its portrayal of Uganda’s complex historical and political setting. Shah’s meticulous research is evident in her ability to capture the tension, fear, and uncertainty that must have plagued Uganda’s Asian community. The author has also done a commendable job depicting the tyrannical nature of Idi Amin’s regime. This historical authenticity adds depth to the narrative and educates readers about a relatively obscure chapter in history.
The character development in Kololo Hill also deserves plaudits. The protagonist, Asha, is a relatable, multifaceted character whose journey is both compelling and emotional. As a reader, one cannot help empathizing with her struggles and connecting with her as displacement and identity crisis beckon.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT KOLOLO HILL
To her credit, debutant Neema Shah hasn’t left much room for criticism. Probably the only downside to this otherwise peach of a novel is its slow pace, which may make it seem monotonous at times.
QUOTES
‘Call me Adenya. Only family would help me like this.’
In a hushed voice Jaya said, ‘Adenya’.
Long ago, on the land that became Kololo Hill, an Acholi tribal chief was captured by the British. ‘Kololo, kololo,’ he’d cried out, ‘I’m alone, I’m alone. ‘ His cry echoed through the decades: Kololo Hill.
CONCLUSION
As a book on authoritarian regimes and the resulting ethnic displacement, Kololo Hill is as good as they come. The plot is yet another reminder of the enduring human spirit and the universal quest for a place to call home. Ameya would unreservedly recommend this novel to anyone interested in the subject matter.
A proverbial bookworm, Anusuya is always hungry for new stories and adventures.