Kololo Hill

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.

When you’re left with nothing but your secrets, how do you start again?

Uganda 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.

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.

Trade paperback ISBN: 9781529030518 | Published: 27 April 2021 | 352 pages
B format Paperback ISBN: 9781529030549 | Published: 26 July 2022 | 264 pages