Habib Kassamali Jaffer

Children

Habib Kassamali (or H.K. as he was popularly known), was born on 4th February 1890 in Pangani, Tanganyika in the then German Colony. His family later migrated to Mombasa, Kenya where he completed his secondary education and began working for Standard Chartered Bank. Through dedication and hard work, he rose rapidly to a good position. In his later years, his name became synonymous with quality, responsibility and trust.

In 1921, he took up a career in insurance and moved to Uganda, where he established an agency called ‘The South British Insurance Company Ltd’. He later became the principal representative of that Australian company in Uganda. Due to his hard work and honesty, his agency became one of the largest personal insurance agencies in the world.

In 1935, he was appointed as a member of the Legislative Council of Uganda and served until 1962 when Uganda attained its Independence. During his services in Council, he was awarded the title of “Father of the House”. In recognition of his services as legislator and businessman, he was appointed as Commander of the Order of British Empire (CBE) in 1947 and later in 1953 he represented Uganda at the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in London. His humility was that such that he never used the title of "Sir" to his name.

Habib Bhai was a renowned philanthropist and supported many families on a monthly basis. As a member of the Legislative Council, he obtained land for the Khoja Shia Ithna’Asheri mosque and Imambargha in Kampala for a peppercorn sum of 1 shilling and also built the mosque in Jinja on Iganga Road. His wife Rukiyabai, who was from the Molu Dharamsi family of Mombasa, used to help organize Ashura night Juloos in Jinja from her residence on Bell Avenue until 1957. The venue was later moved to his brother’s house.

In 1947, he organized joint celebrations in the town of Jinja, Uganda for India’s and Pakistan’s independence from British rule”. BHindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Goans, all participated at the celebration to maintain unity amongst the Asian community.

"Ugandan businessman H.K. Jaffer wrote to Kenya's Governor claiming that the Indian community had been previously informed that wartime restrictions would be of a “temporary nature” and would be overseen “in a liberal spirit.” However, present conditions were creating “a very unhappy experience,” he wrote, “[with] several old residents [being] refused entry permits on flimsy grounds.”63 MINTZ-ROTH-DISSERTATION-2019 (1)

Habib bhai was the owner of 3 bungalows next to Jinja Imambargah built for his wife Rukiyabai. These were all repossessed by his family under the Act of Departed Asians Property Custodian Board in 1993 and donated to the Shia Community to house students of Jinja Hawza and are in service to this day.

He will be remembered for his immense contribution and counseling towards the growth of Commerce in East Africa. Habib Bhai Kassamali Jaffer passed away at Mombasa on Sunday, 20th May 1973, survived by his wife and two sons, Sultan and Anwar and three daughters Marzia, Nargis and Zainab.

PHOTO GALLERY OF THE LIFE OF HABIB KASSAMALI JAFFER

HK Jaffer in Uganda Legislative Council.

(Story & photos coutesey of the Africa Federation.)