A King at One is a children’s book for ages 7–11, inspired by the 1909–1910 Smithsonian–Roosevelt African Expedition and developed under the Roosevelt Encounters Africa Book Series.
The book tells the true story of Kabaka Daudi Chwa II, crowned King of Buganda at just one year old, and raised within one of Africa’s most sophisticated, organized, and culturally advanced kingdoms—a society governed by councils, tradition, guardianship, and diplomacy.
At the moment when American President Theodore Roosevelt encountered Africa, he encountered a refined African monarchy whose leadership and governance left a deep impression—touching him and, through his writings, the wider world.
From an early age, Kabaka Daudi Chwa II enjoyed sports, particularly soccer, reflecting his love for teamwork, strategy, and collaboration. As he grew, he became Buganda’s first “soccer president”, formally promoting the sport and fostering youth engagement.
Importantly, the King ruled alongside his sister, continuing a tradition of shared leadership that emphasizes balance, collaboration, and mutual respect—a model for inclusive governance that resonates throughout Buganda to this day.
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