Resident Author Publishes UgandanMemoirs
Sir Peter Allen
by A. James Pierce
Sir Peter Allen, a permanent resident ofCayman for the past 11 years, has led a fascinating and adventurouslife and has captured for the public one chapter of that lifein his latest book - Interesting Times: Ugandan Diaries 1955-1986.
Based on his personal diaries, Interesting Times chronicles SirPeter's 32-year relationship with the people, politics, and justicesystem of the beautiful and turbulent African nation of Uganda.
The book provides readers with a uniquely personal first-handaccount of Sir Peter's experiences in Uganda, and highlights withunbridled affection and uncompromising honesty the everyday trialsand challenges, joys and rewards, violent excesses and brutalcoups that he witnessed and survived.
After serving for eight years in the British Royal Artillery,Sir Peter joined the British Colonial Police, where he servedfor eight years in Uganda as Assistant Superintendent.
Following his appointment teaching at the Uganda Law School, andeventually serving as the School's principal, Sir Peter becamethe Chief Magistrate with the Uganda Judiciary in 1970.
Three years later he was appointed a Judge - the only Briton toremain in the Ugandan Judiciary through the next twelve yearsof bloody revolt and governmental change.
In 1985, Sir Peter was appointed Chief Justice of Uganda, a posthe held until he left the country a year later. For his many yearsof selfless service to the British Empire, Sir Peter was knightedin the New Year's Honours of 1987. Shortly thereafter he retiredto Grand Cayman.
Sir Peter says that he wrote his latest book because of the uniquenessof his experiences in Uganda. "If I didn't write the book,"he said, "the knowledge I have would die with me."
He explained that he felt compelled to write Interesting Timesin order to add his experience to the world's general body ofknowledge, in the hope that it might be of some use or interestto historians, legal professionals, and general readers.
Sitting in his quiet ocean front condo, he added: "I wrotethis book because it was a pleasant way to pass the time here,and because I thoroughly enjoy the book-writing process."
Sir Peter also shared that while he has chosen the Cayman Islandsfor his retirement, his heart, his home, and his passion are inAfrica. Writing this book, then, was a way for him to revisithis adopted homeland and to attempt to present his readers withthe profound affection he holds for the country.
Sir Peter has published two other books: An Introduction to theLaw of Uganda and Days of Judgement, both of which draw from hisenormous body of knowledge and unique experiences on the Africancontinent.
Interesting Times, published in the United Kingdom, is now availablefor sale at local booksellers.