In 2022 we published the story on the fall and rise of Nkokonjeru Lodge No 9284 which had its original manifestation in Uganda. “The original Lodge, numbered 7631, was consecrated in 1959 and had made remarkable progress during its first ten years building a dedicated Masonic Temple locally. It was in this Lodge that W. Bro Mahendra was initiated in 1961. Not many freemasons alive today will have witnessed and experienced the trauma of having your masonic world turned upside down with armed soldiers invading the Temple, looting and ransacking the Lodge and confiscating furniture and regalia. Such a situation existed in Uganda at the time of Idi Amin, who became known for his excesses and for the ultimate expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda, many of whom came to the UK to begin their lives anew. Needless to say, that under these circumstances the Lodge was erased in 1975.
Once the communities had re-established themselves in the United Kingdom then the idea of starting a new Lodge with the same name was suggested. UGLE gave permission for Nkokenjeru Lodge to be consecrated with a new number 9284. This took place on 14th July 1988 with the Consecrating officer being RW Gordon Bourne.
The above gives a background to the resilience of the Brethren who not only had to start their lives over again in a new country but were sufficiently astute freemasons to start a new Lodge with the same name. Therefore, it was a poignant moment on June 12th at Harrow, when the new Worshipful Master, W. Bro Mahesh Rajdev, was installed into the Chair of King Solomon. His father W. Bro Mahendra Rajdev and uncle W. Bro Jagdish Rajdev were there to oversee the proceedings, both being founder members of the “new” Lodge. Another Founding member in attendance was W. Bro Peter Gledhill.
The outgoing Master W. Bro Bharat Shah was presented with a 50th Year Certificate by W. Bro Kanti Mistry, Provincial Grand Treasurer, who is also a Lodge member.
The Rajdev family and their guest Brother Ludovick Fockeu from the Grand Lodge Nationale Francaise.
The Lodge also welcomed an overseas visitor from France, Bro Ludovick Fockeu who attended after receiving a clearance certificate from the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise. Bro Ludovick is the partner of a Rajdev cousin who lives in France, and he is due to be installed into the chair of King Solomon later in the year. Members of the Rajdev family are hoping to attend.
The working tools in the First Degree were presented by Bro. Bakul Shah who is blind and was only initiated into the Lodge in October 2024.
It was also an occasion of some sadness where W. Bro Martin Burt had to say a masonic farewell to the Brethren of the Lodge in his role as Visiting Officer. However, the new VO designate W. Bro Paul Lowery came as a guest before taking over officially in September 2025.
Edited by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR – Communications Team
