Special Reports
How the British took over Western Uganda
The British expansionist wave turned to western Uganda now. With Buganda and eastern Uganda. Contemporary explorers and colonial officials described parts of western Uganda as sparsely populated compared to Buganda, with large tracts of woodland, grassland and wildlife.
Omukama Kabalega (left) and Captain Fredrick Lugard (right). (File)
By: Joshua Kato, Journalist @New Vision
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INDEPENDENCE SERIES
In the first of a series of stories as the 64th Independence Day draws closer, we examine how the colonialists conquered western Uganda. Joshua Kato writes.
The British expansionist wave turned to western Uganda now. With Buganda and eastern Uganda. Contemporary explorers and colonial officials described parts of western Uganda as sparsely populated compared to Buganda, with large tracts of woodland, grassland and wildlife. It was easy for Ankole because it had long been subdued during the years of Captain Fredrick Lugard; however, Bunyoro under Omukama Kabalega had to be captured through wars and big battles. It was badly and deeply ravaged by wars. British military campaigns, scorched-earth operations and the displacement of communities left parts of Bunyoro economically weakened for decades.
Following Bunyoro’s defeat, the British rewarded Buganda with territories including Buyaga and Bugangaizi, which later became known as the Lost Counties. Historian Samwiri Karugire says Ankole entered the protectorate through treaty arrangements and political accommodation rather than the prolonged military resistance witnessed in Bunyoro.
However, to further cement control over Bunyoro, the British sent in a host of Baganda chiefs, even though deep down, the Banyoro retained heavy resentment of the colonialists and Baganda helpers. The ‘imported’ Baganda leaders were never disappointed with enforcing the power of their masters. Historical accounts and oral traditions collected in Bunyoro describe efforts by Baganda administrators to promote Kiganda culture, language and naming practices in some areas under their control. With Kabalega gone, his son Kitehimbwa was installed to take over; however, he was only 12 years old and too young to comprehend things. British authorities later deposed Kitehimbwa, arguing that he was unable to govern effectively, a move many historians view within the broader context of colonial efforts to consolidate control over Bunyoro.
He was replaced by his older brother, Andrew Bisereko, who also seemed powerless to reclaim the Kingdom’s lost glory. But all along, Kabalega remained alive in exile, and indeed, the Banyoro thought that he would return one day. Although organised military resistance had largely ended by the time Kabalega died in 1923, political grievances in Bunyoro persisted for decades, particularly over the Lost Counties and the legacy of colonial rule. By the early years of the twentieth century, Tooro and Ankole had accepted British protectorate authority through a series of agreements and administrative arrangements.
Northern Uganda
One of the reasons the first Britons came to Uganda was to ‘discover’ the source of the River Nile; because they had a big interest, they passed through northern Uganda. The British wanted its security guaranteed as early as possible. Therefore, they planned to send a force to occupy certain parts of the River Nile. The Nile was a major concern because of Britain’s wider interests in Egypt and the Nile basin.
However, to further cement control over Bunyoro, the British sent in a host of Baganda chiefs, even though deep down, the Banyoro retained heavy resentment of the colonialists and Baganda helpers. The ‘imported’ Baganda leaders were never disappointed with enforcing the power of their masters. Historical accounts and oral traditions collected in Bunyoro describe efforts by Baganda administrators to promote Kiganda culture, language and naming practices in some areas under their control. With Kabalega gone, his son Kitehimbwa was installed to take over; however, he was only 12 years old and too young to comprehend things. British authorities later deposed Kitehimbwa, arguing that he was unable to govern effectively, a move many historians view within the broader context of colonial efforts to consolidate control over Bunyoro.
He was replaced by his older brother, Andrew Bisereko, who also seemed powerless to reclaim the Kingdom’s lost glory. But all along, Kabalega remained alive in exile, and indeed, the Banyoro thought that he would return one day. Although organised military resistance had largely ended by the time Kabalega died in 1923, political grievances in Bunyoro persisted for decades, particularly over the Lost Counties and the legacy of colonial rule. By the early years of the twentieth century, Tooro and Ankole had accepted British protectorate authority through a series of agreements and administrative arrangements.
Northern Uganda
One of the reasons the first Britons came to Uganda was to ‘discover’ the source of the River Nile; because they had a big interest, they passed through northern Uganda. The British wanted its security guaranteed as early as possible. Therefore, they planned to send a force to occupy certain parts of the River Nile. The Nile was a major concern because of Britain’s wider interests in Egypt and the Nile basin.
According to Karugire, British forces in Karamoja had been ordered to launch an expeditionary force from Karamoja into what is Acholi today; however, the force under Macdonald failed to reach the River Nile. The Macdonald Expedition of 1897–1898 was a British military and surveying mission led by Colonel J.R.L. Macdonald to secure Britain’s control over the White Nile basin and block French and Italian territorial expansion during the Scramble for Africa. Other expeditions from Bunyoro also moved upwards following the Nile, while along the way signing protective treaties with the tribes and chiefs that they met.
However, what really caused confusion for the British was that across the region, there were no strong kings as there were in Buganda, Tooro and Bunyoro, who had to be either talked to or subdued. This also meant that there was no strong force to resist the British. Gradually, administrative posts were set up in Lango, in Gulu, Kitgum and Nimule. By 1914, northern Uganda was under British rule.
However, what really caused confusion for the British was that across the region, there were no strong kings as there were in Buganda, Tooro and Bunyoro, who had to be either talked to or subdued. This also meant that there was no strong force to resist the British. Gradually, administrative posts were set up in Lango, in Gulu, Kitgum and Nimule. By 1914, northern Uganda was under British rule.
