Kololo Hill

By: Neema Shah

Narrated by: Aysha Kala

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.

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 90 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.

©2021 Neema Shah (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"[An] incredible debut." (Stylist)

"Shah is excellent on the theme of home...an absorbing storyteller." (Daily Mail)

Voyage back in the past

This book is incredible. I listened to it and lived again memories I thought I had completely forgotten. if you ever been in Kampala or lived under a dictatorship this book will bring back your worst memories. for me It brought back my childhood in Kampala. it was just impossible to stop listening until it was finished. So many memories came back, not all pleasant. I warmly recommend to listen to it. So many people believe democracy is a given and do not understand how fast it can be replaced by Dictatorship. I lived through I Armin DAda regime and was also expelled with the entire family as a child. I would like everyone to understand that liberal democracy is a jewel we need to protect. Thanks again for writing this book.