GROWTH OF KINGDOMS IN THE INTERLACUSTRINE REGION 1500-1880

THE KINGDOM OF BUGANDA

It is one of the independent Kingdoms which were created after the fall of the Bunyoro-Kitara Empire of the Chwezi. It lay to the East of Bunyoro and was originally under the Chwezi Empire of Bunyoro Kitara.

At 1^st it was quite small divided into the following counties recently known as Busiro, Kyadondo and Mawokota. It emerged to be one of the largest and most powerful Kingdoms of the interlacustrine region. It was created along the shores of Lake Victoria in present day Buganda.

THE ORIGIN OF BUGANDA

Buganda origin is not very clear. There are different legends as to explain it that;

The Buganda Oral traditions believe that Kintu is the founder of Buganda i.e. he is the first Muganda man. He is said to have migrated from the East i.e. slopes of Mt. Elgon together with his wife (Nambi) and their hen. It is claimed that he came with about 13-14 clans.

The Buganda Oral traditionalists say that Kata Kimera founded Buganda and that his brother Mpuga Rukidi established Bunyoro Kingdom. This theory claims that Kata Kimera came with about 6-7 clans with whom he established Buganda Kingdom it is said in this theory that Buganda was founded as a sub-dynasty of the Babiito dynasty.

Some theories claim that Buganda Kingdom experienced an influx of people from Ssese Islands. The immigrants constituted about 30 clans. Some came from Bunyoro after the raids.

Some believe that there were Bantu clans who were already in the area as far back as 1000AD.

THE PROCESS OF EXPANSION OF BUGANDA KINGDOM OR THE RISE AND EXPANSION OF BUGANDA KINGDOM BY 1800AD

The small Buganda kingdom (Busiro, Kyadondo and Mawokota) of around 14^th and 15^th centuries experienced rapid growth and expansion during the reign of powerful kings of Buganda. Such Kings captured new areas towards the end of the 16^th century. They added them to Buganda kingdom e.g. around the 16^th and 17^th Kabaka Kateregga raided Bunyoro and conquered Ggomba, part of Butambala, Southern Ssingo and part of Busunju.

Kabaka Kyabaggu made raids into Busoga but was later forced to withdraw.

Kabaka Jjunju got Buddu, Kooki, parts of Kiziba and Karagwe from Bunyoro in the 18^th century. He also made Buhaya tributary.

Kabaka Ssemakokiro, in the last quarter of the 18^th century got Buwekula and Bulemezi. He also forced Busoga to pay tribute to Buganda.

Kabaka Mawanda in the 18^th century got Karagwe, North east Bulemezi and North West Singo.

REASONS FOR EXPANSION OF BUGANDA OR FACTORS THAT LED TO GROWTH

Originally, small size of Buganda grew and expanded because of the following reasons;

Buganda had weak neighbours at that time e.g. Bunyoro.

She was involved in the long distance trade with the East African coastal Arabs; they brought her guns in exchange for ivory and slaves. She used the guns to conquer her weaker neighbours and hence her expansion

Buganda was strategically positioned with natural features. These provided defence against her enemies e.g. Lake Kyoga in the North, Lake Victoria (Nalubale) in the south and River Nile in the East.

She had a well laid out system of succession to power. Before the Kabaka died, he had to name his successor. If he did not, the Katikiro and the clan heads would be responsible for choosing the capable Kabaka, this reduced on the, would have been succession conflicts. This promoted political stability and peace in the area.

Buganda was inhabited by a homogeneous (same) population. They had the same language, culture, values etc. this eased administration and culture emphasized respect for authority and elders. These reduced on the cases of disobedience and revolts.

Buganda`s physical conditions were favorable i.e. her fertile soils and good climate favored food growth. This supported Ugandans population.

She had a military army. Every able bodied male adult was ready to fight to protect his state. The army was well organized, equipped with good weapons, trained and disciplined.

Her relationships with the outside world was good e.g. with Europe so the coming of the explorers, missionaries, colonialists (imperialists) enabled her to benefit at her neighbours expense.

She had good strong and ambitious leaders e.g. Kabaka Jjunju, Ssuna, Kateregga etc. these enabled Buganda to expand her sphere of influence.

The Lukiiko and Kabaka`s word was final terms of settling disputes and development projects.

THE ORGANISATION OF THE KINGDOM

POLITICAL ORGANISATION

• It was headed by a King (Kabaka) whose position was hereditary. This reduced the, would have been succession disputes.
• He used a centralized and efficient system of administration. He appointed all the chiefs and gave them land and other gifts to secure their loyalty and efficiency in service.
• He was the military head of the state / kingdom and the commander-in-chief of the army especially the early years of the kingdom.
• Buganda had a standing army meant to maintain law and order in the kingdom. It was also used to raid other small kingdoms for cattle and women.
• The loot (stolen things during war) was divided among the brave soldiers to encourage them continue being brave.
• Buganda also had a naval force which came on Lake Victoria (Nalubaale). It was used to transport and patrol the Island as well as bring in wealth by raiding other societies across the Lake.
• The kingdom was divided into countries (Masaza), sub counties (Magombolola), Parishes (Muluka) and sub Parishes. This ensured effective administration of the Kingdom.
• The village was the smallest basic political unit under leadership of the headman. They gave out land for cultivation under the authority of the clan heads. Clan leaders were important political figures in Bunyoro kingdom.
• The Kabaka appointed chiefs to administer the countries, who in turn appointed chiefs of smaller units.

• Chiefs were representatives of the people and so were responsible for keeping law and other ensure construction and maintenance of roads collecting of tribute in their areas.
• They were also responsible for the Katikkiro through whom they supplied food, bark cloth, timber, beer etc.
• Chiefs also supplied men for military services and labour at the King`s court. The Lukiiko was the law making body and supreme council. It acted as a legislative assembly and major advisory body to Kabaka. It comprised of the Katikkiro (prime minister) Mugema, Muwanika of the Kabaka, higher chiefs and clan heads (Bataka).
• The Kabaka was the final court of appeal power over life and death. Kabaka married many women from any of the 52 clans of which was a sign of unity.
• The peasants were allowed to move in the kingdom with permission from the headman. The Kabaka had symbols of royal regalia e.g. drums, spear, chair (Nnamulondo), bark cloth, leopard skin, shield.

SOCIAL ORGANISATION

• The kingdom was organized on clan basis. It had all 52 clans with its own clan leaders. This provided the basic social political unity for the entire administration of Buganda kingdom.
• Each family belonged to a specific clan each with its own shrine where sacrifices were offered to the ancestors of the family, clan e.g. food, beer, animals and birds. The kingdom was built on clan basis the royals (Abalangira, Abambeja) chiefs (Abakungu) peasants / commoners (Abakopi) and slaves (Abaddu).
• Religiously the Baganda believe in ancestral spirits, supernatural powers. They could be consulted through medium and diviners.
• Sacrifices were often made to calm down the gods especially in time of difficulty.
• Native doctors were also consulted in case of misfortune.
• The Baganda also observed totems (Emiziro) and each belonged to one. They practiced polygamy especially the chief and Kings. It was an important practice because it led to an increase in population and unity needed for defence and expansion of the kingdom. These created political unity and stability in the kingdom.

ECONOMIC ORGANISATION

• The Baganda were basically agriculturalists (cultivators) due to the climate conditions of the area. They grew potatoes, cassava, beans, vegetables etc.
• They specialized in their agricultural activities i.e. while the men cleared the land, the women and children cultivated it, planted, weeded and harvested and when free, the men would then be offering military services, road construction, boat making, hunting, bark cloth making. The Baganda also kept goats, pigs and chicken. These animals were for milk and meat.                     NB: Kabaka`s cattle were looked after by the Bahima.
• Hunting was an important activity for men i.e. they hunted buffalos, elephants and the Baganda were admired for this work.
• They practiced interstate trade before coming of colonialists e.g. trade in bark cloth with the neighboring societies e.g. Busoga, Teso and Bunyoro. But later they traded with the coastal Arabs and Europeans.
• Fishing activities were also done by some Baganda who lived near water bodies e.g. Lakes and Rivers.

THIS VIDEO SHOWS THE HISTORY OF BUGANDA KINGDOM

THE KINGDOM OF BUNYORO

After the collapse of Bunyoro Kitara, the component Kingdom became independent one of them being Metropolitan Bunyoro (Nucleus of Bunyoro Kitara) which retained a similar political organisation like that of Bunyoro Kitara Empire. It was under the leadership of Nsiigoma Rukiidi Mpuga

POLITICAL ORGANISATION

• The Omukama was the head of the kingdom and he drew royalties from almost all the subjects since he was considered semi divine.
• The Omukama ruled over the centralized kingdom i.e. all other people were below him. Below the Omukama was hierarchy of officers with varied duties ranging from house hold work, rituals, with the administration of sub districts, districts and provinces.
• The counties were organized by chiefs who were responsible to the Omukama. The kingdom was divided into provinces each under chief in order of similarity
• Chiefly titles were inherited but only retained with the permission of the Omukama.
• Political organisation of Bunyoro ensured good order and administration from highest to lowest i.e. Omukama`s policy were transmitted through county, parish, sub parish down to clan leader.
• The kingdom was governed as a loose confederation, joined agenda with armies for each federal state. The federal states were ruled by close relatives of the Omukama and that is why they were governed as sister states.
• The provinces raised emergency armies during war time were to be a General appointed by Omukama.
• Bunyoro had instruments of power collectively called royal regalia and this was made up of drums, spears, shields, bows and arrows. For his social and political prestige, there was an institution of palace, women and slave artisans.

ECONOMIC ORGANISATION

• Bunyoro was engaged in pastoralism i.e. keeping the long horned cattle, besides the practiced agriculture, growing crops e.g. bananas, yams, maize, millet etc.
• The salt mining industry was highly developed by 1850 and served for both domestic and export purposes.
• Pottery of high stand was made to be marketed by the neighbouring communities. Other crafts were both cultural and economic were special clay dishes, clay jars and clay plates.
• Barter trade became the centre of livelihood in Bunyoro before and after 1850 involving the sale of salt, pots, iron impliments, skins and hides to obtain bark cloth, foodstuffs, wax and honey.
• The Bunyoro also engaged in iron working, making spears, knives, and pangas, arm bangles, hoes, shields, axes etc. for both agriculture and defence purposes.
• Hunting was another economic activity which became of importance, after the foreigners especially Arabs, showed interest in elephant tasks. Ivory became one of the important trade commodities of the Banyoro. It was highly because of its various uses. It was used to make buttons, bangles, armament etc.

SOCIAL ORGANISATION

• The society was classified, according to occupation, the highest close being that of the rulers who normally came from the header and the commoners being cultivators.
• The Bunyoro believed in many gods, Ruhanga being the creator. The society was divided into clans which was a basic social unit each with its own favorite god, but there were national gods for all the Banyoro e.g. Wamara god of plenty, Muhingo, god of war, Migizi god of Lake Albert.
• Banyoro carried out offering to their gods it was believed that the gods would only accept the offers after very many appeals. These were festivities and rituals among clans.
• The Banyoro are remembered for their elaborative cultural and activities or sports, leisure games like Omweso and performances of magic etc.
• They spoke a common language Runyoro and had common practices of pet names e.g. Amooti, Akiiki etc. they believed in life after death and believed in spirit existence is good ones to bless and bad ones to curse them

REASONS FOR DECLINE OF BUNYORO KINGDOM

• Bunyoro began to decline in the late eighteenth century due to internal divisions. Buganda seized the Kooki and Buddu regions from Bunyoro at the end of the century. In the 1830s, the large province of Toro separated, claiming much of the lucrative salt works. To the south Rwanda and Ankole were both growing rapidly, taking over some of the smaller kingdoms that had been Bunyoro’s vassals.
• Thus by the mid-nineteenth century Bunyoro (also known as Unyoro at the time) was a far smaller state, though it was still wealthy due to the income generated from controlling the lucrative trade routes over Lake Victoria and linking to the coast of the Indian Ocean. In particular, Bunyoro benefited from the trade in ivory. Due to the volatile nature of the ivory trade, an armed struggle manifested between the Baganda and the Banyoro. As a result the capital was moved from Masindi to the less vulnerable Mparo. Following the death of Omakuma Kyebambe III, the region experienced a period of political instability where two kings ruled in a volatile political environment.^[5]
• In July 1890 an agreement was settled whereby the entire region north of Lake Victoria was given to Great Britain. In 1894 Great Britain declared the region its protectorate. In alliance with Buganda, King Kabarega of Bunyoro resisted the efforts of Great Britain, aiming to take control of the kingdom. However, in 1899 Kaberega was captured and exiled to the Seychelles and Bunyoro was subsequently annexed to the British Empire. Because of Bunyoro’s resistance to the British, a portion of the Bunyoro kingdom’s territory was given to Buganda and Toro.
• The country was put under the governance of Bugandan administrators. The Banyoro revolted in 1907; the revolt was put down, and relations improved somewhat. After the region remained loyal to Great Britain in World War I a new agreement was made in 1934 giving the region more autonomy. Bunyoro remains as one of the four constituent kingdoms of Uganda, along with Buganda, Busoga and Toro.

THE KINGDOM OF ANKOLE

Ankole was originally called “Karokalungi” meaning the beautiful land. It was founded by Ruhinda son of Wamara. He moved into Ankole with the Bahinda after the disappearance of the Bachwezi and established the Ankole kingdom.

The first settlement was in Isingiro which became the nucleus of the kingdom. The Ankole people claimed to be descendants of the Chwezi.

The kingdom remained small till the 19^th century when chiefs begun expansion where they captured Nyabusozi, Karashi from Buhweju.

POLITICAL ORGANISATION

The kingdom of Ankole was headed by Omugabe. He had unlimited powers and his words were final. The Omugabe settled disputes in his kingdom therefore he needed mental and physical ability.

The Banyankole had a royal drum as a symbol of Ankole nationhood and unity. It was called Bagyendanwa which was believed to have come from Omuchwezi Wamara, the father of Ruhinda and hence it was respected by the King and his followers.

The kingdom had a royal fire that was never put off until the death of the ruling Mugabe.

The Omugabe was assisted by the chiefs. The most important of his chiefs was “Enganzi” he always accompanied the Omugabe everywhere he could.

The “Enganzi” had estates where many peasants worked for him. He also had some animals. Every year those who owed herds of cattle gave the Omugabe two calves each.

The kingdom was divided into sixteen divisions (districts). Each district had its own chief called the Omukungu. The Omukungu was appointed by the Omugabe and the duties of the Omukungu were to maintain discipline in the kingdom, keep law and order and sent millet and beer to the royal court.

The Bakungu were also leaders of military units called “Emitwe”. These units or small armies were to defend the people and protect their animals from out siders.

Ankole was generally a peaceful kingdom though she was often attacked by her neighbours e.g. Buganda and Bunyoro.

ECONOMIC ORGANISATION

The kingdom had two major economic activities and these were carried out according to classes. The Bahima (upper-class) were cattle keepers and supplied milk, meat and hides. The Bantu (lower / subject class) were agriculturalists and supplied mainly yams and grains like millet.

The 2 classes complicated each other in terms of products the Bahima exchanged milk, meat, ghee and hides while the Bairu produced grains and yams. The Bairu made sure that there was constant food supply to the kingdom.

Apart from agriculture and cattle keeping, they also carried out other economic activities such as pottery, carpentry, blacksmithing etc. the carpenters came from the peasant group and they were superior to all other workers. They made wooden pots, stools and dishes similar to what their fore fathers did.

The Blacksmith made hoe blade and knives and they got their iron from deposits.

The Banyankole also traded with neighbours in cattle products and iron products mainly using the Barter system of exchange. However, the kingdom was largely self-sufficient.

SOCIAL ORGANISATION

• Ankole had two different groups of people i.e. the Bairu and the Bahima. The Bahima were the first social status follower by the Bantu.
• The Banyankole just like other communities believed in “Ruhanga” who was the overall creator however, they didn’t offer him prayer. There were small gods e.g. Kagoro, Musisi, Kazoba, Mugara, Wamara etc. to whom offering were made.
• People of Ankole also believed in spirits which is said to have either helped or punished their living relatives.
• All classes of people in Ankole had family shrines and in these shrines beer, milk and grains were offered to the spirits of the dead ancestors. The Banyankole had a clan system, each clan had a totem and naming was due to totems.
• Marriage within clans was discouraged they observed taboos to help them keep law and order in the society.

FACTORS THAT LED TO THE DECLINE OF ANKOLE KINGDOM

• The kingdom was attacked by diseases for example jiggers, rinderpest, tetanus etc. even animals were attacked and their numbers reduced. This led to the decline of Ankole`s political social and economic powers.
• The kingdom experienced a period of drought which resulted into famine. The period came to be known as Mushoronongo or Kamaranda. It destroyed grass and crops which culminated into death of animals and people. These again weakened the kingdom.
• External attacks, the kingdom was invaded by people from Buganda, Rwanda etc. these moved in occupied parts of Ankole e.g. Isingiro. They later started fighting against the ruling back again Bahima.
• Internal conflicts, once in a while the Banyankole had conflicts amongst themselves. The Bairu at times showed the desire to rule the kingdom and these caused some strive between them and the Bahima who thought they were destined for leadership. This in the end weakened the kingdom.
• The kingdom also declined because of British intervention in the later 19^th century. When the British came to Ankole, they disorganized the kingdom and gradually through the 1901 agreement between British and Ankole kingdom, it lost its power to the British.

THIS VIDEO SHOWS HISTORY OF ANKOLE KINGDOM