Ron Mushiso is a Conservative councillor on Hounslow Council and a former candidate for the Greater London Assembly
Recently, Trevor Phillips raised a number of questions about the continuing relevance of the Commonwealth. Phillips argued that some view the Commonwealth as a relic of the British Empire, useful only for cricket matches and polite rebukes of human rights abuses.
However, as a direct beneficiary of the Commonwealth’s international links, I believe he overlooks something crucial: the Commonwealth is a living, breathing alliance and community that provides tangible opportunities for its citizens, as well as safety and support in times of crisis.
As someone who was born in Uganda in the early 1980s, I have a personal perspective on the Commonwealth that goes beyond the statistics Phillips cites
Uganda gained independence from Britain roughly 20 years before I was born, and like many former colonies, it faced significant struggles in the post-independence years. In my childhood, Uganda was a country in turmoil. I vividly remember the sound of gunfire echoing through the valleys at the foot of Mount Elgon, where my family lived. As a child, I didn’t understand where the shooting was coming from, but I could always rely on my grandmother to run us into the mud hut we called home, seeking shelter between the kitchen and the animal shelter.
My father was one of many young men caught in the constant upheavals of that time. With power changing hands frequently, safety was always in question. He had been recruited into Milton Obote’s army while job searching in Kenya and found himself part of the convoy that liberated Kampala during the final scenes of Idi Amin’s rule, which were later immortalized in The Last King of Scotland.
But as the political situation remained precarious, my father realised he had no future in Uganda. He reached out to the British High Commission and was able to seek safety in the UK as a refugee.
That is the Commonwealth in action: it provided a lifeline to my family when we had no other options.
Phillips is right to say that the Commonwealth must evolve. There are certainly criticisms to be made, especially regarding human rights abuses in member states such as Uganda, where anti-gay laws have drawn justified condemnation. But for all its faults, the Commonwealth remains a platform for hope and opportunity. It is a framework through which nations can support each other, not just diplomatically, but also economically and socially.
When my father arrived in the UK, he didn’t have much a limited education and a basic grasp of English but he was able to start a family and rebuild his life here. That’s not just due to the generosity of the British people; it’s a testament to the Commonwealth’s enduring principle of shared responsibility and opportunity. My father may have left Uganda behind, but he found a new home within the Commonwealth.
Today, as a local Councillor in West London, I see firsthand the potential for the Commonwealth to create new opportunities, especially in a rapidly changing, tech-driven world.
Recently, I initiated a crowdfunding campaign to repair a road in my Ugandan village. Within three months, we raised nearly £3,000 – money that would have taken my village five years to raise. Thanks to the supported of fellow British citizens (and one or two American ones), we have made a positive change to the economic outlook of a village 4,000 miles away.
This is the future of the Commonwealth: not a top-down institution dictating policy but a grassroots network where individuals and communities can work together to solve real-world problems. Crowdfunding and technology are just the beginning. If we can harness these tools more effectively, we can create new partnerships between Commonwealth nations that go far beyond government-to-government relations.
Phillips also referenced a survey showing that UK citizens are the least likely to view their country’s role in the Commonwealth positively. I believe this is because many Britons are unaware of the life-changing impact the Commonwealth can have on individuals like my father and by extension, people like me. Yes, the legacy of empire is complicated, and there are elements of the past that are clearly wrong. But we cannot ignore the opportunities the Commonwealth continues to provide.
As the world becomes more fragmented and liberal democracy is increasingly under threat, the Commonwealth offers a platform through which we can promote shared values of freedom and opportunity. Rather than dismiss it as a relic of the past, we should look for ways to strengthen it.
Yes, there is much to be done. But, as someone who has benefited directly from the Commonwealth’s opportunities, I can say with confidence: that it is far more than just a sporting club. It’s a community where the shared responsibility for each other’s success—and safety—remains as relevant as ever.
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