The illegal deportation of Maltese nationals to Uganda in 1942

One of the darkest pages in our island’s history occurred on February 13, 1942, during  World War II, when a group of 41 Maltese nationals, comprising several leading personalities, was forcibly and illegally deported from Malta to the east, and ended up in a Ugandan internment camp. The group included Malta’s chief justice Sir Arturo Mercieca (1878-1963), co-leader of the opposition in the Council of Government Dr Enrico Mizzi (1885-1950); dean of the Cathedral Chapter Mgr Alberto Pantalleresco (1891-1963); president of the Malta Catholic Action Dr Herbert Ganado (1906-1979); art connoisseur, critic and intellectual Chev. Vincenzo Bonello (1891-1969); professor of law Dr Giulio Cortis; and Captain Alfred Bencini, a former officer in the British Army. The group also included clerks and workers who, together with the above-mentioned gentlemen, were interned without trial or being charged. In May and June 1940, about 120 men were apprehended and interned as a result of what were termed security measures. Moreover, other citizens had to carry passes that restricted their movements within the island. Before, during and after the war, not one of the internees was ever found guilty of...