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From the green hilltops of Kampala, to the terraced houses of London, Neema Shah's extraordinarily moving debut Kololo Hill explores what it means to leave your home behind, what it takes to start again, and the lengths some will go to protect their loved ones.
'Shah explores the chaos and fear of ordinary people's lives during Amin's rule, weaving personal stories of love and betrayal into heightening tension and violence . . . nail-biting.' - IndependentUganda, 1972. A devastating decree is issued: all Ugandan Asians must leave the country in ninety days. They must take only what they can carry, give up their money and never return.
For Asha and Pran, married a matter of months, it means abandoning the family business that Pran has worked so hard to save. For his mother, Jaya, it means saying goodbye to the house that has been her home for decades.
But violence is escalating in Kampala, and people are disappearing. Will they all make it to safety in Britain and will they be given refuge if they do?
And all the while, a terrible secret about the expulsion hangs over them, threatening to tear the family apart.
'[An] incredible debut' - Stylist
About the author
Neema Shah lives in London where she works in marketing. Her debut novel Kololo Hill was a Foyles, Daily Mail, Irish Times, Cosmopolitan and Eastern Eye pick in 2021. Her writing has won and listed for various awards including the Bath Novel Award, First Novel Prize, The Literary Consultancy Pen Factor and Eastern Eye Fiction award. She is also a writing mentor and teaches fellow writers about marketing.
Summary
Set in Uganda in 1972, an extraordinarily moving debut that tells the story of one family’s escape when Idi Amin forces them to leave; a story of loss and separation, but also ultimately of hope.
Foreword
Set in Uganda in 1972, an extraordinarily moving debut that tells the story of one family’s escape when Amin forces them to leave; a story of loss and separation, but also ultimately of hope.
Additional text
A searing, timely, and beautifully written tale of displacement, the meaning of home, and developing identity across generations. I loved it.
