EP 3 Elizabeth of Tooro - The Odyssey of a Princess | Women and Resistance 🌍

She was a princess, a Cambridge-trained lawyer, the first Black woman on the pages of Harper's Bazaar, a foreign minister under one of Africa's most feared dictators — and she said NO when that dictator demanded she marry him. This week on Women and Resistance, we tell the full, extraordinary, and largely untold story of Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya Akiiki of Tooro.Born in 1936 into the ancient Tooro Kingdom of what is now Uganda, Princess Elizabeth navigated colonial education systems, broke racial barriers at Cambridge and Gray's Inn, survived Idi Amin's regime, fled into exile disguised as a village girl, won landmark libel cases in the British press, walked the runways of New York and London as one of the world's first Black supermodels, and returned home to serve her continent as a diplomat and guardian of her people's culture.Her life is not just a biography — it is a thesis on what African women's resistance looks like across decades of colonial erasure, post-independence political upheaval, patriarchal power, and the relentless weaponisation of beauty against Black excellence.This in-depth conversation with Elizabeth of Toro, a Ugandan princess, lawyer, and diplomat, shares her extraordinary life story, cultural heritage, and insights on African history, colonialism, and resilience.Takeaways*History of Toro Kingdom and African kingdoms*Colonialism and its impact on Africa*The role of women in African leadership and resistance*Personal journey of Elizabeth of Toro from princess to diplomat*Cultural preservation and revival in AfricaChapters00:00 Introduction to Princess Elizabeth of Toro01:39 Growing Up in the Kingdom of Toro04:28 Cultural Heritage and Identity08:24 Education and Challenges Abroad13:44 Historical Context of the Kingdom of Toro19:30 Colonial Influences and Transformations28:21 The Role of Women in Leadership35:16 Reflections on Independence and Legacy36:19 The Impact of Colonialism on Traditional Societies38:45 Navigating Exile and Identity41:47 Modelling as a Means of Survival43:47 The Rise and Fall of Political Power47:15 The Role of Women in Politics52:34 Facing Adversity and Resilience57:27 Love and Loss in Turbulent Times01:00:49 Restoration and Legacy01:03:14 Lessons in Identity and CourageSend us Fan MailWelcome  to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!