Tom Burnaby: A Story of Uganda and the Great Congo Forest

When young Tom Burnaby steps off the steamer at Kisumu, the heat of Central Africa beats down on his cotton shirt, and the jungle looms like a living maze. He is drawn into a world still echoing the exploits of Livingstone and Gordon, where the ideals of chivalry clash with the brutal reality of slave caravans and rival colonial powers. The opening scene at Kabambari shows a daring surprise attack that shatters an Arab garrison, hinting at the larger struggle for freedom that lies ahead.

Guided by a mix of seasoned officers, a curious doctor, and a skeptical major, Tom’s expedition sets out toward Uganda, navigating treacherous rivers and dense forest paths. Along the way he encounters both hostile forces and unexpected allies, learning that courage often means standing up for the oppressed rather than seeking glory. As the journey unfolds, listeners are invited to experience the vivid landscape, the tense encounters, and the moral choices that define this early 20th‑century adventure.