Understanding Uganda's Pre-Colonial History through Major Sam Emoit's Presentation

 
PRE-COLONIAL HISTORY OF
UGANDA
PRESENTED BY
MAJOR SAM EMOIT
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL OF MILITARY
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY
 
1
 
Introduction
 
What is history?
We shall define history as a record of
events of man’s struggle in satisfying
his (basic) needs and the interactions
resulting there from. History is a
product of mans activities; the study of
history shows us that man and nature
are always involved in a struggle and
this struggle takes us to production &
social organization.
 
2
 
Introduction Cont….
 
What is pre-colonial history of
Uganda?
Pre-colonial history of Uganda examines
the way the ancestors of the present day
Uganda peoples used to live, their
methods of self-sustenance and self-
perpetuation visa-avis the environment in
which they lived before the coming of
colonial rule.
 
 
3
 
Introduction Cont.
 
It examines the social patterns that
arose as our ancestors struggled to
earn a living, examines how they
constantly improved their tools, the
material values they created and
also the spiritual & cultural values.
 
4
 
Introduction Cont….
 
Pre-colonial history of Uganda is best
understood as the history of the different
communities that were later to be brought
together under a single administration by
the British.
Note that although it is presented
independently as a single entity it is part
and parcel of the general history of Africa.
 
5
 
Why study pre-colonial history of
U
ganda
?
 
To trace our origins and beginning as a
people i.e how did we come about to be where
we are.
Reconstruct the nature and patterns of
social development of pre- colonial societies.
To educate ourselves on the diverse
methods of struggle pre-colonial Ugandans
used.
 
6
 
Cont……
 
To appreciate the unique social diversity
of the people of Uganda
 
beyond stereo
types/Basheshe
, 
Anyanya and
Banyarwanda…this will be by emphasizing
our shared past despite our diversity
based on ethnic categories/ the language
one speaks.
To assess the nature of contacts,
relationships, and interactions among the
pre-colonial societies
 
7
 
Cont..
 
To show the diversity of cultural
heritage rich in ideas to chose from in
the process  of tackling our social-
economic and political problems.
To understand the extent of Europe’s
contribution to the under-development
of Africa and Africa’s contribution to
Europe’s present development.
 
 
8
 
Sources of history
 
Oral traditions
Written Records
Legends, Myths
Archaeological findings, looking at
stone tools, artifacts
Radio carbon dating ie looking at
ancient bones
 
9
 
Who
 
are the pre colonial 
U
gandan
people
?
 
Before colonial rule many Ugandan
communities roamed the area now called
Uganda sharing common experiences and
influencing one another in various ways.
There were widespread stone age hunting and
gathering populations who were part and
parcel of the evolution of Hominids ( human-
like creatures with ability to move upright on
2 legs and enlarged brains). The closiest
relatives of these early peoples in Uganda are
the present day BATWA and 
PYGMIES
.
 
10
 
Cont..
 
New immigrants from other areas later
replaced these earlier inhabitants- the
new comers were being driven away
from their original homelands because
of the various factors of migration.
These new comers mixed with the
people they found and intermarried and
this interaction gave rise to the people
now living in Uganda.
 
11
 
Cont..
 
 
Note worthy is that these new
immigrants can be conveniently
divided into four broad groups on the
basis of migration and Languages as
follows.
 
Bantu
Luo
Nilo- Hamites (Atekerin)
The Sudanic People
 
 
12
 
The bantu
 
These were the earliest and the largest
community who are said to have come
from central Africa and spread rapidly into
the Eastern and Southern part of the
present day Uganda.  They include
Baganda, Bakiga, Batoro, Bagisu,
B
anyoro, Nkore etc.
 
Note that although they have great many
similarities, each group has its peculiar
cultures and other social arrangements.
 
13
 
The luo
 
These are  part of the river lake Nilotes who
are said to have originated from Bah el Gazel
region in Southern 
S
udan. A big group moved
southwards along the Nile and settled around
Pubungu (Present day Pakwach). One section
crossed  to west Nile into the areas then
inhabited by the Sudanic speaking people
(Okebo, Lendu, Metu).
 
Another small group known as the Babito
moved further to as far as Bunyoro and
beyond.  This founded the Bito ruling dynasty.
 
14
 
The luo Cont…
 
 
Luo speakers in North Bunyoro known as
the Paluo migrated into Kaberamaido area
for some time before moving to Bukedea and
later tororo (known as Japhadhola and
Jaluo) on to western Kenya.  Bukedea and
Kumi became a confluence for Bantu , Nilo
hamites and the Luo thus giving rise to a
diversity of ethnic groups such as the Kenyi,
Gwere , Nyole , Samia , Iteso and the
jopadhola
By 1650-1680 Luo speakers had occupied
many parts of Northern and Southeast
Uganda
 
15
 
The Nilo hamites / the
Atekerin
 
These comprise the Karimajong, Iteso
and are related to the Masai and
Turkana all of whom trace their origins
from south Ethiopia. As they proceeded
on their movements the Atekerin fused
with the Luo at major contact points
and this gave birth to new peoples
notably the Langi and Kumam.
 
16
 
The Sudanic
 
These came from southern Sudan.
They are said to have been the first
inhabitants of most of Northern
Uganda but were driven away at
different times at different places
by new comers.  They include the
Lugbara, Lendu, Metu, Madi etc.
 
17
 
Reasons for migrations
 
Famine
Diseases
Wars
Natural Calamites
Search for fertile soils/ fresh grazing
lands.
Religious, political economic and
social persecution.
Search for economic opportunities, etc
 
 
18
 
Governance in pre-colonial
Uganda
 
Different societies in pre-colonial Uganda
had reached different levels of social
organization on the advent of colonialism.
Here it is important to note that whereas
some societies were still at quite simple
levels of organization with elders as
leaders and clan councils playing an
important role, some other societies had
advanced/ elaborate systems of
administration/ government.(led by
paramount chiefs or war lords)
 
19
 
 Population linkages &
kinship relations
 
Pre-colonial African communities came to
be closely related to one another through a
network of migration patterns, interactions
and relationships.  They found common
identity in language, culture and kinship
relations through common ancestry.
This means that the people of 
Africa
 have
more in common. The following relationships/
interactions are particularly noted:
 
20
 
Cont….
 
The oldest kingdom in pre-colonial times was
Bunyoro-Kitara through which virtually all the
southern states came to relate. Her ruling
dynasties i.e. the Tembuzi, the Cwezi the Babito
made extensive use of marriage alliances with
local clans and outlying areas to cement
relationships
 
In Bunyoro you would  find Batooro, Bahiima,
Basongora, Batuku, Bakonzo, Bamba, Alur,
Bachope, Baruli, Basoga,..etc.
 
 
21
 
Cont……
 
Babito dynasties were setup in Ankole, Tooro,
Buganda, parts of Busoga, Rwanda, Burundi. Some
of the Bantu speaking kingdoms had Luo-speaking
kings at certain times eg Buganda and Bunyoro.
Banyoro and Batooro were linked to the Luo
through the Babito dynasty e.g names like 
olimi,
Oyo, Winyi, Achaki
 
that are found among the
Batooro and Banyoro are Luo words. Luo equivalent
names are: Olum, Oyo, Owiny and Acak. Banyoro
pet names are called Empako the Acholi word for
praise (pako) the pet names themselves have luo
origin .
 
22
 
Cont..
 
The main entrance at Kabaka’s  palace
(LUBIRI)   is called WANKAKI, same word as
WANGKAC which in Luo means entrance.
In Buganda one would find Baganda,
Banyoro, Banasese, Bavuma, Banabuddu,
Batooro, Banyankole.
Some cultural traits such as dances,
circumcision cut across tribes. The Acholi and
Banyoro dancers have something in common:
feathers on their heads and jingling anklets.
 
23
 
Cont..
 
All Baganda kings are buried while
facing Bunyoro
Cultural celebrations can not
commence until the Acholi delegation
has arrived. etc.
 
24
 
Illustration
 
EMPAKO   
      
 
LUO MEANING
 Amooti
   
I greet you
Abwooli 
   
I deceive you
Atwooki 
   
A cherished person
Araali
   
Savior
Akiiki
 
 one who is jealously protected
Adyeeri
   
Your friend
 
25
 
Cont….
 
Even some Nyoro and Toro names and words
have luo origins e.g
Toro word
  
 
Luo
Ku konyera
 
-
 
 kony- also meaning help
Oyo
 
      -    meaning rat or one born on the
road side
Rukidi  -
 
Rii kidi meaning long lasting like a
rock
Examples cutting accross ethnicities
include; epale, amusiri/amana, oworugosi,
kukunda, enduru, ejiko, akiipi,
saubhoona,mboro,nyara. etc
 
26
 
Regional production and
exchange
 
Note that over time man’s productivity in
Pre-colonial Uganda increased, resulting in the
realization of a surplus product. This laid a
foundation for trade and exchange.
 
The trade was always a function of
production.
Production was based on ecology, which led
to specialization.
 
27
 
Cont..
 
 Exchange was limited because
communities were self -sufficient.
Each community was involved in some form
of production
Langi had goats, grains, handcrafts, millet,
simsim.
Basoga were great carpenters; they had
canoes on L. Victoria
Iteso had grains, goats
 
28
 
Cont…..
 
In the Northward direction trade involved mainly
the Alur, Lendu, Okebu, Madi, Lugbara exchanging
agriculture, livestock and other products like salt,
hoes, and dried fish from Bunyoro.
 
Through trekking long distances, these goods
spread to Lango, Acholi and Iteso.  Iteso acquired
iron hoes by bartering with Langi who obtained
them from Bunyoro. They exchanged hides, skins,
goats, Ivory, Beads, and cooking utensils from
Bunyoro.
The traders had the capacity for autonomous goal
setting and decision- making in the trade. There
was no exploitative foreign influence.
 
29
 
Cont…
 
Karamajong had intense love for cows.
Langi and Karamajong also produced
spears.
Panyimur and 
b
ugungu (Wanseko)
were  main collecting centers on L.
mwitanzige (Albert).
Banyankole were known for Ghee and
red spears called ‘Emitari’.
Societies living near each other had
more contacts than those living apart.
 
30
 
Cont..
 
Trade involved many communities
who carried commodities back and
forth traveling long distances. Market
centers had also developed e.g. in
Bunyoro where people met to
exchange goods.
Mainly trade in essential
commodities beyond reach in certain
communities but available in others.
 
31
 
Cont..
 
Range of goods were limited consisting
mainly of food stuffs, domestic
implements……….It was largely barter
trade.
Because of trade, there was mutual
understanding and peace, as no
community would battle those who
brought essential commodities to them or
who traversed through their land
 
32
 
Cont..
 
Salt was a principal commodity around
which trade involved. Because salt was
in Bunyoro, Bunyoro became the
principal link between the Nilotic north
and southern Bantu. In the south,
Katwe and kasenyi salt mines provided
for Ankole, Kigezi, Rwanda,Burundi,
Karagwe and outlaying areas
 
33
 
Cont..
 
At Adaglango, on river Nile (near
Karuma) the Langi used to cross
coming to Bunyoro and Buganda for
potato leaves and salt.
Communities traded in their own
goods i.e. goods produced by
themselves. The economies of different
communities were integrated with one
another.
 
34
 
Conclusion
 
It is there fore very clear that African
people were developing their own
indigenous institutions the same
way western civilizations did theirs.
The coming of colonial rule at the
time when societies were still
building and strengthening their
social economic organizations greatly
interfered with African social
economic and political development
 
35
 
Cont..
 
While pre-colonial Africans were
building healthy inter- ethnic linkages,
the colonial policy of divide and rule
largely explains the current sectarian
tendencies in our society resulting into
exclusionism and conflicts. This is as a
result of lack of correct understanding of
our history.
to the contrary, those that know this
history correctly can foster national
unity, peace and social economic
transformation of our society
 
36
 
 
 
 
END
 
37
 
Colonialism is the practice by which a
powerful country controls another country
or other countries.
 
To colonize is to take control of an area or
country that is not your own, especially
using force, and send people from your
country to live there.
A colony is a country or an area that is
governed by people from another more
powerful country.
 
     
Colonial intrusion
 
38
 
Colonialism is a superstructure of
imperialism. It is a stage were capital
spreads and establishes itself in
foreign territories and uses those
territories as markets for their
products and source of raw materials
for their industries
It is the highest stage of capitalism
 
 
C
ont…
 
39
 
The Industrial Revolution (1822 abolition of
slave trade in Britain after 1807 legislation
against it)
The American War of Independence
Nationalism in Europe
Marxism – Karl Marx 1818 – 1884
Search for raw Materials (as a result of US
independence)
Employment
Cheap labour etc.
 
Reasons for colonialism
(Developments Leading to
Colonialism)
 
40
 
Early explorers
 
Missionaries CMS 1877, White Fathers
1879, Verona Fathers 1910
 
IBEACO
 
Administrators
 
Baganda Agents
 
 
Colonial fore – Runners in Uganda
 
41
 
The first foreigner to come to Uganda was
Ahmed Bin Ibrahim an Arab trader from the E
African Coast. He arrived in Buganda in 1844.
From 1862 the Egyptians became interested in
the Nile Valley and therefore wanted to put it
under their control, hence the need to colonize
Buganda.
In 1864, the ruler of Egypt, Khedive Ismael
sent Sir Samuel Baker to try and colonize
Buganda for Egypt. His expedition was however
defeated by the Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro
at the battle of Baligota Isansa in 1864.
 
The beginning of foreign intrusion
 
42
 
The 1
st
 Explorers to come to Uganda were
Capt Speke and Capt Grant in 1862 during
the reign of Kabaka Mutesa I.  When they
arrived at his palace, they were astonished by
the high level of organization and protocol in
what was then known as the Dark Continent.
Speke and Grant had to wait for three weeks
and three days before they were able to meet
Mutesa I.  Their initial aims were frustrated
by the strong army and which was then being
commanded by the King.  It is estimated that
Buganda had an army of about 100.000 men.
 
   The explorers
 
43
 
British Colonizers - Initiators
of Colonial Suppression
 
44
 
Henry Stanley,
Dr. David Livingstone,
Sir Samuel Baker &
Capt Fredrick Lugard
 
The 1
st
 missionary group arrived in
1877 (CMS) under Lt Shergold Smith
followed by Rev Fr Lt C.T Wilson in
1879.  These missionaries played a
great role in fostering Colonialism’s in
Uganda. E.g. they recruited for the
colonial army from their converts and
funded the IBEACO in 1893 when it
was in financial problems.
 
Missionaries
 
45
 
Soon after the death of Kabaka
Mutesa I in 1884 and the subsequent
Berlin Conference (1884/85) Uganda
was declared a British Protectorate.
Company rule in Uganda began in 1888
under Capt William Macknon in London
and Capt Lugard Fredrick in Uganda.
The missionary activity had succeeded in
dividing the people and had also led to a
number of discontents among the local
populace leading to the first civil war in 1889
in which Kabaka Mwanga was supported by
the Christians to expel the Moslems
 
IBEAC 1888 –1893/1894
 
46
 
Soon thereafter, the Catholics and the
Protestants disagreed amongst themselves.
The disagreement came because of two
main factors.
The Protestants were afraid of losing the
positions they had won because of the part
they had played in restoring Mwanga to
the throne after the expulsion of Moslems.
Besides Lugard was worried because the
Catholics were out numbering the
Protestant by 2/3 hence there was a need
to check on their influence in the palace.
 
      Cont…..
 
47
 
Capt William who had been left behind by
Lugard to control the situation in Buganda
proved extremely tactless in handling the
affairs of Buganda; as he was far away in
England.
 This is why when Capt Lugard came back
from Western Uganda in 1890 he found a
tense situation.  The countryside was at war
with Catholics gaining an upper hand.  To
make matters worse for Lugard on his
return to Kampala he found that the
IBEACO had been ordered by their main
masters at the Hqs to withdraw from
Uganda
 
     Cont….
 
48
 
Lugard had also just heard that, immediately he
left Western Uganda Kabalega attacked Tooro and
had driven
 
Kasagama out of power.  The
withdrawal was inevitable because of the expenses
the company was incurring in its tactics to impose
colonial rule in Uganda.  The expenses were both
financial and human.
 
 Lugard was certainly disappointed by his
withdraw order, he never the less withdrew as far
as Dagoreti (in Kenya) from where he decided to
come back to Kampala (after financial assurance of
another one year from the CMS of England) this
was as a result of military gains by the Catholics
 
Cont
 
49
 
His decision to return was because he
concluded that company withdrawal from
Buganda would leave the Protestants and
the missionaries in a bad situation besides
rendering his treaties in the west useless
thus paving way for the Catholics and the
Moslems in Buganda to take over Mengo.
 As soon as Lugard returned to Kampala
in 1892, a situation developed which
favored his decision to return.
 
Cont….
 
50
 
In that year (1892) confusion developed
which led to an open war between the
Protestants and Catholics, when a Catholic
shot dead a
 
Protestant in circumstance which
would have been construed as self defence.
The Catholic was brought before Mwanga in
his capacity as a King for trial.
 
In accordance with traditional law, Mwanga
decided to acquit the Catholic.  Mwanga’s
decision to release the Catholic annoyed
Lugard who interpreted Mwanga as siding
with the Catholics to get rid of Protestants
 
Cont..
 
51
 
Lugard demanded that the Catholic be
handed over to him for proper trial but
Mwanga refused.  Lugard took this as an
abuse and decided during broad daylight to
side with Protestants to fight Catholics and
Mwanga.
 
On the 16
th
 Jan 1892, war broke out but it
is not clear from available literature how it
started.  Lugard fought on the side of the
Protestants against the Catholics and
Mwanga.  His Maxim gun was decisive in
the battle and the Catholics together with
Mwanga were disastrously defeated.
 
 Cont…..
 
52
 
 
The Catholics retreated to Bulingugwe Islands in
Lake Victoria and Mwanga fled to Bukoba (which
was by then part of Buganda as a Vassal state).  It is
estimated that over 100.000 lives were lost.
 
Capt Lugard destined troops to invade the Island
and news of this forced the Catholics to flee to
Buddu.  But still Lugard and his Protestant allies
pursued them and minor fighting took place there.
Back to Mengo, Lugard found that the capital had
been deserted and for the time being he made his
Moslem messenger Dura the King but the people
could not accept him, so there was more confusion
 
Cont…..
 
53
 
Lugard tried Kiwewa, and later on, prince Kimera
but again people revolted.  Lugard realized that
without Mwanga it would not be possible to reach
any proper agreement by which Buganda would be
ruled by the British.
Moreover peasants in the countryside were greatly
getting restless with increased incidents of murder
and violence in protest against the absence of the
Kabaka.
 
Meanwhile Mwanga discovered the secret that he
would be welcomed if he returned to mengo.  On
Dec 30
th
 1892 Mwanga returned to Mengo amid
ululation’s prostration and drumming from the
peasants
 
Cont…
 
54
 
Lugard was confused.  He signed a treaty with
him assuring the cessation of hostilities.  Lugard
realized that the only way to conquering Buganda
was to isolate Mwanga from his subjects hence the
need for territorial rewards.  Lugard gave the
Protestants territorial rewards while Catholics got
little land in order to appease them for having lost
the war (1900 Agreement).
 
Thereafter, Lugard returned to England in 1893.
On arrival in England, Lugard found that there
had been hot debates going on in the British
Parliament as to whether it was worthy to retain
Buganda after the company withdraw.
 
 Cont….
 
55
 
.  Lugard put forward a very strong case for
the British retention of Uganda.  And the
British government finally decided to return to
Uganda and take over responsibility of
administering Uganda from the company.
In Dec 1893, IBEACO rule ended in Uganda
and the British government officially took
over.  Company rule had been short lived but
disastrous in some parts of Buganda and the
west.  By the time it ended most parts of
Uganda had not been brought under British
rule and thus it was the responsibility of the
subsequent administration to do this.
 
       Cont….
 
56
 
Lugard took a detailed report on
what should be done.  This report
acted as a springboard for British
colonialism after the withdraw of
the IBEACO.
 
     Assessment of the
IBEACO 1888 – 1893
 
57
 
After the withdrawal of Co rule in 1893, the
British government officially took over the
control of Uganda.  The 1st British
administrator sent to Uganda was Sir Gerald
Portal.  Immediately on arrival to Uganda he
signed a treaty with Mwanga.  This treaty
nullified all the agreements signed earlier on
by Mwanga.
In 1894 Major Canningham made an
agreement with Enganzi or Prime Minister of
Ankole.  In the same year Major Owen and
Major Mac Donald signed treaties with the
Omukama of Tooro and 30 treaties with
chiefs in Acholi land, West Nile and Bunyoro
respectively
 
      The Imposition of Colonial rule after
 
the withdraw of Company (IBEAC) rule
 
58
 
In 1894, Uganda was declared a British
Protectorate and as a result Mwanga and Kabalega
refused to be under Colonial rule.  War broke out
in Buganda again but there was little resistance
because Buganda had been badly bruised.
Mwanga fled to Bunyoro and joined Kabalega. Col
Colville dispatched an army to go and fight them.
The Army was composed of 30,000 Baganda
soldiers, 18 European Officers’ 4000 Nubians and
2 steel boats. They both fought a Protracted war of
hit and run until they were defeated.  They fled to
Lango and organized fresh attacks from where
they were both captured and taken to Kisimayu in
1899.
 
 Cont..
 
59
 
The berlin conference of 1884/5
 
60
 
Lugards’ maxim machine gun
 
61
 
Kabalega of Bunyoro and
Mwanga of Buganda Resisted
Colonialism
 
62
 
Heroes Mwanga and kabalega
after their capture in lango- 1899
 
63
 
While in Kisimayu, Mwanga and Kabalega
organized to come back and news of their
return was leaked to the colonialist who
took immediate measures and took both of
them to Seychelles Islands.  Mwanga died
in exile and Kabalega died while on his way
to Bunyoro at a place called Mpumudde in
Busoga Eastern Uganda
 
Cont….
 
64
 
At the same time (1894 – 1899) Gen. Semei
Kakungulu led an army of about 20,000
Baganda soldiers in Eastern Uganda and
brought areas of Busoga, Bukedi, Teso,
Bugisu and Lango under colonial rule. It’s
the same force which led to the capture of
Kabalega and Mwanga in 1899 in Lango
after which the entire force was disbanded
and a new one recruited.
 
Cont…
 
65
 
Kabalega and Mwanga were captured
and exiled in 1899
In Ankole the King of Igara committed
suicide
The King of Kajara took off to
Tanganyika.
The King of Buhweju was killed by the
colonialists.
 
Highlights of the 1900 buganda
agreement
 
   
 
Reaction of the people of Uganda to
the    
 
Imposition of Colonial rule
 
66
 
“The decisiveness of the short period of
colonialism and its negative consequences for
Africa spring mainly from the fact that Africa
lost power. Power is the ultimate determinant
in human society, being basic to the relations
within any group and between groups. It
implies the ability to defend one’s interests and
if necessary to impose ones will by any means
available. In relations between peoples, the
question of power determines maneuverability
in bargaining, the extent to which one people
respect the interests of another, and eventually
the extent to which a people survive as a
physical and cultural entity. When one society
finds itself forced to relinquish power entirely to
another society, which in itself is form of
underdevelopment”.     Walter Rodney
 
67
 
ANTI-COLONIAL
STRUGGLES, 1890 – 1945
AND UGANDAS’ ROAD TO
INDEPENDENCE (1952 –
1962)
 
68
 
Introduction
 
At the end of the European scramble for
Africa, the British through both
diplomatic maneuvers and use of
military force had entrenched their
domination over the British East Africa,
and in 1893 declared Uganda a British
Protectorate.
 
It should be noted that colonialism had a
mission that largely undermined the self-
determination of the people brought
under its domination.
69
 
Cont..
 
 In entrenching itself and introduction of a
wide range of policies, colonialism
confronted formidable resistance both
against the invasion and later against the
various colonial policies.
 
In our country Uganda, a number of
Resistance groups sprung up at different
stages.  In this text we highlight a number of
prominent struggles, which though were
defeated, went a long way to demonstrate
the resilience of African peoples in the face
of domination and exploitation.
70
Aim:
 
 
To discuss the various anti-
colonial movements and examine
how they overcame their initial
failures, later helping Ugandans
to regain their political
Independence in 1962.
71
 
S
c
o
p
e
 
Introduction
Assessment of Kabalega and
Mwanga’s struggle
Other early resistance
movements
The Road to Independence
1952 – 1962
conclusion
bibliography
 
72
 
Kabalega and mwanga’s struggle
 
Kabalega of the old kingdom of Bunyoro is one
of the most celebrated Heroes of the Anti-
colonial struggles in the old interlucustrine
region kingdoms.
 
 From the on-set of colonialism Kabalega
refused to be compromised and opted to
militarily confront the British Forces.
 
 He was initially dislodged from his throne by a
combined force of British forces, Indians,
Baganda and some Sudanese under the
command of Colonel Colville.
73
 
Cont…
 
He however did not surrender
and instead engaged the British
in a protracted guerilla struggle
that covered the whole of
Bunyoro and part of Lango and
Acholi.
 
  For almost Eight years, from
1890, Kabalega engaged the
colonialists single handedly.
 
74
 
Mwanga
 
 
Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda whose authority
was initially undermined by a combined
force of religious converts (Muslims,
Catholics and Protestants) realized that the
only way to re-establish his authority and
save his kingdom was through armed
struggle.
 
Therefore in 1897 July, Mwanga deserted
his palace where he had remained as a
stooge of colonialism and mobilized a big
following through Ssese Islands, crossing to
the mainland (Buddu)-Masaka , from where
he was able to recruit from as far as Ankole,
Busoga and later crossed Bunyoro to Lango
where he linked up with Omukama Kabalega
75
 
Cont..
 
With the combined effort, the two kings
gallantly fought many battles, however,
the British with big reinforcements of
Baganda forces under Semei Kakungulu
were able to defeat the two at a battle of
Kangai in Dokolo, where they were forced
to surrender, and were later banished into
exile in the Seychelles islands of Indian
Ocean.
 
 Mwanga died there, while Kabalega died
in Busoga on his way back.
76
 
Lessons
 
 
There are important lessons from
the Kabalega/ Mwanga struggles:
The two kings demonstrated that
Africans actually were not willing to
surrender their sovereignty on a
silver Plate.
77
 
Cont….
 
The mobilization of the two across
borders of their kingdom kindled the
spirit of African brotherhood.
 
The defeat of the two gallant kings could
be attributed to weaknesses of the
African struggle, mainly the fragmented
entities that were easily overpowered by
outsiders.  Yet another weakness was the
greed and corruption that enabled
colonialists to infiltrate, divide and use
fellow-blacks against their own people.
The unity of Mwanga and Kabalega and
some Acholi chiefs came too late.
 
 
78
 
Other early resistance movements
 
 
After the defeat of Kabalega and Mwanga, the
colonialists had neutralized the most
powerful anti-colonial resistance, however,
the mood of resistance remained wide spread
throughout the protectorate.
 
 In the North, resistance erupted in Acholi
across Lango led by the Lamogi Chief.
(Lamogi Rebellion).  This was easily militarily
crushed and the leader was departed to
Kampala, where he was isolated for long at a
hill named after him (Kololo).
79
 
Resistance in West Nile
,
 
Brutal force was applied to undermine the brisk
artisans who were dealing in metal work, by cutting
off their thumbs to sub-due them and eventually
make west Nile a labour reserve.
 
In Karamoja, British administrators found it
completely difficult to establish themselves, due to
the highly militarized and organized Karamoja
society that had links with Abyssinia, Greece etc…
many elders were abducted and deported in the
process, and in the end the British decided to
gazette the whole Karamoja land into a wildlife
reserve thus forcing the resilient Karamoja into
concentration marginal lands.
 
80
 
Resistance cont’d
 
      In Ankole and Bunyoro
 
 
A new militant movement opposed to Bugandas’
proxy sub-colonialism emerged as Nyangiire
Abaganda.  In some cases the British used very
brutal means, especially in Ankole where they
introduced Biological weapon (Anthrax) to kill
cattle in order for people to grow cotton
      In Kigezi Resistance took the trend of cults and
armed struggle.  In Kigezi, most of the movements
had linkages with the struggles in neighbouring
Rwanda kingdom and Congo.  Notable ones were
Nyabingi cult; then the Armed Rebellion led
successively by princess Muhumuza, then Ntokiibiri
and Nyindo.
81
 
Lessons
 
These early militant struggles were easily
contained by a new well-established British
administration largely because
;
 
They either heavily dependant on un-
scientific means of mobilization
(superstition and cults); but also lacked a
nationwide net work by remaining localized.
Nonetheless, they largely determined the
manner of colonial establishment, in most
cases exposing the true brutal
characteristics of the colonial invaders.
82
 
The passive resistance against
colonial policies – 1920 - 1945
 
 
 
We note that colonial policies were designed to
suit the over-riding mission of imperialism;
namely – ensuring that the colonial people produce
cheap raw materials; colonial people provide the
needed cheap labour to produce for the colonial
market, and ensuring that the colonies become
ready markets for goods from industrial powers of
mainly Britain, France etc…
 
The establishment of effective colonial
administration (State) which suppressed the
Blackman and denied them all forms of self
determination.  The colonial state was directly
controlled by white administrators, while blacks
were serving as mere agents.
83
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
 
In the economic structure, colonially appointed
chiefs were to enforce production by brutal
force; this was made worse with introduction of
colonial taxes (poll, hut, graduated) which were
a means of forcing blacks to enter cash –
economy (commodity production).
 In the case of Buganda, Tooro and Ankole to
some extent, land was confiscated, and
distributed to British companies, the balance
was used to bribe the local agents (chiefs) as per
the Buganda, Tooro and Ankole agreement
 
84
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
The effects of such land policy was the de-
possession of the hitherto land tillers, who
became squatters on their own land.
 
Some parts of the country were
deliberately curved out as labour reserves
by deliberately introducing taxes while
there were no-commodities the only
commodity thus became labour – for
example, Northern Uganda mainly West –
Nile; Southwest Kigezi, Rwanda and
Burundi
.
 
85
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
Later when the colonialists felt threatened by
unrest in Buganda, they chose to disarm their
former agents and instead recruited Acholis and
Langis into the colonial king African Rifles
(KAR) on pretext that they were marshal tribes.
 
 With the completion of the “Uganda Railway”,
which used mainly Indian labour, the remnants
of the Indian workers were resettled in crop
production centers as middlemen to “buy” the
produce and sell to the blacks, goods from
Europe mainly Britain.
 
86
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
At the top, all positions were a
preserve of only whites.  With time,
there was need to create some clerical
cadre, hence the introduction of the
colonial – missionary education.
 By 1920s, the products of the
rudimental missionary education
became new elite above the rest the
black society and they started
agitating for some rights and
privileges in both economic activities
and colonial administration.
 
87
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
Notable however among these was a very
radical movement in Buganda, which was
agitating for regaining of the lost land
rights:  In 1920s, the Baganda clan heads
formed the BATAAKA movement that
opposed the 1900 agreement which took
away their land and gave it to the colonial
agents (8,000square miles to 1,000 chiefs).
The Bataaka movement was very radical and
targeted the Mengo establishment and the
new Mailo owners who were extorting from
the former land tillers who had now become
squatters (Abakopi).
 
88
 
Passive resistance cont’d
 
 
This movement was neutralized by the
colonial government which introduced new
Envujjo and Busulu laws.  These laws set a
limit to what the Tenants would pay to the
new Mailo land lords.  This seemed to have
appeased the Abataaka, who stopped
agitating.
In terms of real struggle, the Bataaka
movement was a real class struggle against
exploitation.  It is relevant to the
contemporary conflicts over land in
Buganda.
 
89
 
Other passive elitist movements
 
 
The native civil servants association
– 1922 mainly by the educated elite –
for better conditions of service.
Young Busoga Association , Young
Lango Association , Young Bagwere
Association, The Bugisu welfare
Association. The main grievance of
the groups was to participate in
marketing of their crops vis-avis
monopoly of Asians.
 
 
90
 
Cont..
 
 
In 1921, a new post – Nyangiire
Abanganda group sprung up under the
Mubende –Banyoro Association which
was pressuring for the return of
Bunyoros’ lost counties from Buganda
– one of its prominent leaders in
1930s was E. Kalisa.
 
The Uganda motor drivers association
of 1938 – mainly of lorry and bus
drivers.
 
91
 
Baana Ba Kintu – 1938
 
 
This was protesting the give – away of
Buganda land to Makerere College – it
led to assassination of Nsibirwa –one
of Buganda’s Prime Minister.
 
After the decline of the Bataka
movement a more organized Uganda
African farmers association was
formed in early 1940s –led by veteran
leader Ignatius Kangave Musaazi.
 
 
92
 
Baana Ba Kintu – 1938 cont’d
 
This association protested the
domination of Asians in the processing
and marketing of cotton and also was
against the chiefs of the Kabaka who
were seen as brutal agents of colonial
policies.  This organization therefore
joined by veterans of World War II
organized violent riots and strikes in
1945/7 No. 8 and later 1949 –No. 9.
 
93
 
The 1945/9 riots and strikes
(Militant Nationalism)
 
  
These riots were highly political and
violent.  Led by one of the radical
educated son of a chief – I.K Musazi
under the Uganda African Farmers
Association, the new struggles were
largely militant and more focused.
 
 They were characterized by radical
demands of Democratic rights, such as a
right to elect chiefs, and representatives
to the Buganda Lukiiko; they also
agitated for economic rights such as the
right by Africans to own ginneries and be
able to market their own crops
 
94
 
Militant Nationalism cont’d
 
 
The group was further radicalized by war veterans of the
World War II who had served under the 7
th
 British Army
(The Abaseveni).  These war veterans had lost inferiority
complex, since they fought side by side with the
Europeans and had discovered that the white man was
not any different after all.
 
 Their participation highly militarized the resistance,
which however was suppressed with violence in equal
measures leading to massacres of many militants mainly
in Buganda.
 
During this struggle, one prominent Nationalist by names
of Ssemakula Mulumba, was permanently banished from
Uganda, because he made a mistake of contacting the
communist –Foreign minister of USSR, who took Ugandas’
outcry to the UN in 1947.
 
95
 
Lessons
 
 
The major lessons arising from many of the
anti-colonial resistance movements are;
 The weakness in terms of weak
organizational skills (lack of proper
programme of action and clear leadership
structures); fragmented efforts limited to
local areas –
 
Failure to forge a united front; the tested
colonial tactics of divide and rule and the
ability by colonialists to use bribery and
 
appeasement to weaken the liberation
struggles.
 
96
 
The Road to Independence 1952 – 1962
 
  
After 1945, the global anti-colonial
movement gained momentum with the
weakening of most the major colonial powers
– Britain, France and Japan.  On the world
scene there emerged two super powers, USSR
and USA, both opposed to direct colonialism,
however with differing agendas.
While USSR , Marxist -Leninist philosophy
opposed exploitation in all its forms,
especially imperialism; the USA on the other
hand wanted limited de-Colonization, to allow
its interests also to access the markets and
resources of the former British, French,
Portuguese and Japanese areas of influence.
 
97
 
Road to Independence cont’d
 
With these new global trends, the scene was set for
de-colonization, however, in the case of Uganda; the
Road to Independence assumed a unique trend that
impacted heavily on the post –independence
political and economic events.  It can be noted that
Uganda’s’ Road to independence was largely
influenced by three or so trends;
 
 The revival of old rivalries that characterized the
establishment of British rule, where the French –
Catholic fought bitter battles against the British –
Anglicans ending in the marginalization of the
catholic/French interests, which however went
underground for more mobilization.
 
98
 
Road to Independence cont’d
 
The imperialists fear of the global
threat from the socialist forces –
which ushered in a communist boggy
that largely was propagated by the
church, inevitably drawing the
church in active policies.
 Unfortunately this degenerated in
bitter rivalry between Catholics on
one hand and Anglicans on the other,
the Moslems were largely
marginalized, and the Nationalists
ended up being persecuted and
marginalized.
 
 
 
 
99
 
Road to Independence cont’d
 
Elitist vis-avis mass based politics,
that degenerated into wars of ego and
ethnic sectarianism. The Mengo
establishment factor. Imperialist
manipulation to retain firm control.
This was manifested in the key
developments leading to
independence where British clearly
paved way for a continuation of their
influence, mainly through imposing a
Lancaster house constitution of 1962,
and introduction of the World Bank
and IMF policies in 1961.
 
 
 
100
 
Road to Independence cont’d
 
These trends explain the rise and
character of the major pre-
independence and post-independence
political organizations.
 
 
 
101
 
The Uganda National Congress
 
 
Started by I.K Musazi in 1952.  It
attempted to draw in other nationalists
like Yekosofati Engur from Lango; Peter
Oola from Acholi, Abanya from West Nile,
Okwerede from Teso, John Kalekyezi from
Kigezi (Kisoro), Barnabas Kunuuka from
Bunyoro.
 
  However UNC got confronted by various
problems; It did not attract Catholics
mainly due to the communist boggy
championed by the church, especially the
Roman Catholic one.
 
 
102
 
UNC Cont’d
 
 
Even at one time, there was a proposal to start
a democratic Christian party to counter the
UNC.  The only disagreement came when
Anglicans couldn’t agree with Catholics hence
abandoning the Idea to be continued by the
Catholics alone.
 
The Ethnic factor played against UNC, which
was seen to be more of a Buganda month piece.
This was vivid when UNC joined the agitation
for the return of Kabaka Muteesa II who had
been deported to England by the colonial
government
 
103
 
UNC Cont’d
 
 The Kabaka had threatened to secede
from Uganda in protest of the British
proposal for a federation of East
Africa in 1952.
While all Kingdoms rejected the
proposal, Buganda and Muteesa in
Particular over-reacted and demanded
for Bugandas’ independence.  This
was clearly a violation of 1900
agreement, and the British reacted by
deporting the Kabaka.
 
 
104
 
UNC Cont’d
 
The Deportation drew country-wide
protests; however, it seemed to
over-engage UNC which lost its
country-wide nationalist agenda,
never to regain it fully.
 
Direct persecution of Musaazi by
the British who saw him as a radical
Nationalist.
 
105
 
The Democratic Party (DP)
 
Formed in 1956.  Founded by Matayo
Mugwanya a descendant of Stanislaus
Mugwanya himself an activist of the
INGLEZA versus WAFRANSA rivalry;  Matayo
Mugwanya was largely backed by the radical
catholic action groups who were protesting
against long marginalization of Catholics, at
the same time who were mobilizing against
the so-called communist threat.
Mugwanya was further motivated to form DP
due to personal mistreatment received from
the Mengo establishment which sabotaged
his bid to be a Katikkiro of Buganda, on
account of being a Catholic.  Therefore DP is
founded on a largely Catholic foundation and
an anti-communist orientation.
 
 
106
 
The Uganda Peoples’ Union
(UPU)
 
Founded in 1958, by members of
the African members of the
enlarged legislative council.
Led by William Rwetsiba.  Others
were Nadiope, John Babiiha, George
Magezi, etc… the party was an
elitist group, largely protestant and
without Baganda, who had
boycotted the Legco-elections of
1958.
 
 
107
 
Uganda Peoples’ Congress
(UPC)
 
 
Formed in 1960 as a merger between
anti-Musaazi UNC faction led by Milton
Obote and a group of the Uganda peoples’
union.
 
 UPC largely mobilized non-Baganda
Anglicans, although initially it also
attracted radical young nationalists like
John Kakonge, Wadada Rusani, J. Ssali,
Kintu Musoke all graduates from Indian
Universities and Pakistan, which had
very progressive leaders
.
 
108
 
Uganda National Movement
(UNM)
 
 
This was a short lived movement which was
founded by Augustine Kamya a Cobbler.  It
was largely Buganda centered and mainly
mobilized against dominance of Asians in
commerce.
UNM declared a trade boycott of non
African goods.  The boycott  was very
violent.  Due to its violent character and its
clear threat against imperialist interests,
the colonial government proscribed it and
all its leaders were arrested.  It had no
supporters outside Buganda.
 
109
 
1961 Election
 
The British Government organized
the 1
st
 general elections on a multi-
party basis in 1961.  the two main
parties then were democratic party
and the Uganda Peoples Congress.
These elections were not supported
by Mengo, which feared the win by
DP that would threaten their old
privileged position.  As a result the
Lukiiko called for a boycott in
Buganda.
 
 
110
 
1961 elections cont’d
 
Despite the largely violent boycott, DP
went ahead and fielded candidates who
won all major seats in Buganda (19),
outside Buganda it was a stiff
competition with UPC, and DP still got
24 seats while UPC got only 35 seats
outside Buganda.
 This enabled DP to form the first Self-
Government with 43 seats against 35 of
UPC, and DP’s Benedicto Kiwanuka
became the 1
st
 African Chief Minister of
Ugandas’ self Government.
 
111
 
1961 elections cont’d
 
This election had various implications: A big
portion of Baganda had not freely
participated despite DP winning all 19 seats.
It was very clear that there was no clear
popular National leader given the small
margin between DP and UPC, which divided
the population along religious sectarian
lines. The British and Mengo interests were
under a threat with a catholic assuming
mantle of leadership. National issues, and
mass interest were no longer in the
limelight.
 
 
112
 
Kabaka Yekka  (KY)
 
KY was formed in the same year
1961, after DP won the elections.
 The Mengo establishment realized
that they needed a political platform
to protect and enhance the interests
and position the Kabaka and his
protestant following in Mengo.
  It was also formed as a platform to
use in the London constitutional
conference which the British
convened soon after the 1961
elections for self rule.
 
113
 
The London Constitutional
Conference
 
This was organized to consider
some recommendations of a
commission that had been set-up in
1959, headed by a one Justice
Wylde.
 
The conference was attended by a
collection of a few Ugandans from
the main political parties – DP, UPC
and KY; representatives of
Kingdoms and district councils.
 
114
 
The London Constitutional
Conference cont’d
 
 
Clearly this was not a representative constituent
assembly.  After months of deliberations, the 1962
independence constitution was agreed on, despite a
lot of protests mainly from the DP.
 
It is on the basis of the 1962 constitution that
fresh elections were conducted.
The 1962 Constitution gave Buganda exception not
to hold direct parliamentary elections, but rather
choose its representatives to the Lukiiko, and later
the Kabaka would nominate 21 members from the
Lukiiko members to the National Parliament
 
115
 
1962 Constitution
 
It is on the basis of the 1962
constitution that fresh elections were
conducted.
The 1962 Constitution gave Buganda
exception not to hold direct
parliamentary elections, but rather
choose its representatives to the
Lukiiko, and later the Kabaka would
nominate 21 members from the
Lukiiko members to the National
Parliament
.
 
116
 
1962 Constitution cont’d
 
 Arising out of the constitutional talks
UPC had found a common ground with
KY, both being largely protestant and
therefore against the catholic
dominated DP.
 
During elections UPC reached a
gentlemen’s agreement with KY not to
antagonize them in Lukiiko elections.
So UPC did not field any candidates,
and left the battle between DP and KY
in Buganda.
 
117
 
1962 elections
 
KY being a party for the Kabaka
won almost all seats in Lukiiko (65)
against 3 of DP, this meant that all
21 MPs for Buganda were to be KY.
 In the National General Elections,
the battle was between DP and UPC
outside Buganda.
 
118
 
1962 elections cont’d
 
 In the end, UPC won 37 while DP won
only 24.  To form a government a
party needed over 50%, so UPC allied
with KY and Milton Obote became 1
st
Executive Prime Minister and received
instruments of independence on 9
th
October 1962.
Later, as per the constitution and
agreement between UPC and KY, Sir
Edward Mutesa was elected by
parliament to become Head of State,
and Uganda’s’ 1
st
 President, while Sir
William Wilberforce Nadiope became
Vice President.
 
 
119
 
1962 elections cont’d
 
 
Clearly Uganda’s Road to
independence showed a deviance from
popular Nationalist politics instead
became largely Elitist and sectarian.
Because of the deviations, Uganda
attained independence with
leadership heavily contested,
population largely divided and the
masses not fully empowered as was
the case in Buganda.  Indeed this
became a precursor for political
Turmoil.
 
 
120
 
Conclusion
 
The European way of looking at African social
Institutions as being primitive has elements of
racism because African institutions were
evolving the very way western social
institutions did.
The coming of colonial rule to Africa at a
time when the societies and communities that
constituted it were still in the process of
strengthening their social and economic
organizations disturbed these various forms of
social development, relationships and contacts
that had not yet assumed permanent forms.
 
121
 
Cont….
 
Tribalism in Uganda is misplaced; the thinking
that leads to exclusion and intolerance and conflict
is based on a false understanding of the country’s
history. The truth is that 
״
Pan-s
״ 
(unity of
Ugandans) existed in pre-colonial Uganda
Groups of people were interacting, intermarrying,
mixing, assimilating or being assimilated by other
groups to give rise to the new ones.
Colonial boundaries disrupted the free
interaction of our people as the British divided up
the same countries or homogenous people with in a
geographical area.
 
122
 
Cont….
 
It is misleading to look at the various
ethnic groups in Uganda as tight, neat
looking, pure or homogeneous identities
because many of them such as the
Karamajong, Acholi, Basoga, Banyankole
and Bakiga were colonial creations. The
Karamajong consisted of the Matheniko,
Dodoth, Jie,Pian and up to now see
themselves as separate; the Bakiga had
clans like Basigi, Bainika, Bamugwe.
 
123
 
Cont…
 
 
Banyankole is another amalgamation of the
Nkore, both Bahiima and Bairu, Bahweju,
Batagwenda, Banyaruguru, Bashambo, Bahororo.
These people were always intermarrying and
intermixing to give way to new communities.
Understanding the small contradictions that
existed within and between communities in Pre-
colonial Uganda makes us understand how British
colonialism was able to turn the communities
against each other. The policy of divide and rule
came to be practiced successfully where small
divisions existed.
 
124
 
Cont..
 
Clearly Uganda’s Road to
independence showed a deviance from
popular Nationalist politics instead
became largely Elitist and sectarian.
 Because of the deviations, Uganda
attained independence with
leadership heavily contested,
population largely divided and the
masses not fully empowered as was
the case in Buganda.
 Indeed this became a precursor for
political Turmoil.
 
125
 
References
 
1
.
 
S. Karugiire 
  
-“The history of Uganda”.
2.
 
Kirunda Kivejinja
  
-“Uganda crisis of
confidence”
3.
 
M. Mamdani 
  
-“Politics of class formation
in
                                                   Uganda”
4.
 
NRM Publication 
 
-“Why Uganda still needs the
                                   
 
             Movement  System
of
                                                 Governance”
 
126
 
                 END
 
127
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Delve into the pre-colonial history of Uganda as presented by Major Sam Emoit, Chief Instructor at the School of Military Intelligence and Security. Explore the way ancestral Ugandan communities lived, their tools, social patterns, and interactions before colonial rule. Discover the diverse methods of struggle and social development of pre-colonial Ugandans to trace their origins and appreciate the unique social diversity shared beyond ethnic stereotypes.


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  1. PRE-COLONIAL HISTORY OF UGANDA PRESENTED BY MAJOR SAM EMOIT CHIEF INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY 1

  2. Introduction What is history? We shall define history as a record of events of man s struggle in satisfying his (basic) needs and the interactions resulting there from. History is a product of mans activities; the study of history shows us that man and nature are always involved in a struggle and this struggle takes us to production & social organization. 2

  3. Introduction Cont. is pre-colonial Uganda? Pre-colonial history of Uganda examines the way the ancestors of the present day Uganda peoples used to live, their methods of self-sustenance and self- perpetuation visa-avis the environment in which they lived before the coming of colonial rule. What history of 3

  4. Introduction Cont. It examines the social patterns that arose as our ancestors struggled to earn a living, examines how they constantly improved their tools, the material values they created and also the spiritual & cultural values. 4

  5. Introduction Cont. Pre-colonial history of Uganda is best understood as the history of the different communities that were later to be brought together under a single administration by the British. Note that although it is presented independently as a single entity it is part and parcel of the general history of Africa. 5

  6. Why study pre-colonial history of Uganda? To trace our origins and beginning as a people i.e how did we come about to be where we are. Reconstruct the nature and patterns of social development of pre- colonial societies. To educate ourselves on the diverse methods of struggle pre-colonial Ugandans used. 6

  7. Cont To appreciate the unique social diversity of the people of Uganda beyond stereo types/Basheshe, Anyanya and Banyarwanda this will be by emphasizing our shared past despite our diversity based on ethnic categories/ the language one speaks. To assess the nature of contacts, relationships, and interactions among the pre-colonial societies 7

  8. Cont.. To show the diversity of cultural heritage rich in ideas to chose from in the process of tackling our social- economic and political problems. To understand the extent of Europe s contribution to the under-development of Africa and Africa s contribution to Europe s present development. 8

  9. Sources of history Oral traditions Written Records Legends, Myths Archaeological findings, looking at stone tools, artifacts Radio carbon dating ie looking at ancient bones 9

  10. Whoare the pre colonial Ugandan people? Before communities roamed the area now called Uganda sharing common experiences and influencing one another in various ways. There were widespread stone age hunting and gathering populations who were part and parcel of the evolution of Hominids ( human- like creatures with ability to move upright on 2 legs and enlarged brains). The closiest relatives of these early peoples in Uganda are the present day BATWA and PYGMIES. colonial rule many Ugandan 10

  11. Cont.. New immigrants from other areas later replaced these earlier inhabitants- the new comers were being driven away from their original homelands because of the various factors of migration. These new comers mixed with the people they found and intermarried and this interaction gave rise to the people now living in Uganda. 11

  12. Cont.. Note worthy is that these new immigrants can divided into four broad groups on the basis of migration and Languages as follows. be conveniently Bantu Luo Nilo- Hamites (Atekerin) The Sudanic People 12

  13. The bantu These were the earliest and the largest community who are said to have come from central Africa and spread rapidly into the Eastern and Southern part of the present day Uganda. They include Baganda, Bakiga, Banyoro, Nkore etc. Batoro, Bagisu, Note that although they have great many similarities, each group has its peculiar cultures and other social arrangements. 13

  14. The luo These are part of the river lake Nilotes who are said to have originated from Bah el Gazel region in Southern Sudan. A big group moved southwards along the Nile and settled around Pubungu (Present day Pakwach). One section crossed to west Nile into the areas then inhabited by the Sudanic speaking people (Okebo, Lendu, Metu). Another small group known as the Babito moved further to as far as Bunyoro and beyond. This founded the Bito ruling dynasty. 14

  15. The luo Cont Luo speakers in North Bunyoro known as the Paluo migrated into Kaberamaido area for some time before moving to Bukedea and later tororo (known as Japhadhola and Jaluo) on to western Kenya. Bukedea and Kumi became a confluence for Bantu , Nilo hamites and the Luo thus giving rise to a diversity of ethnic groups such as the Kenyi, Gwere , Nyole , Samia , Iteso and the jopadhola By 1650-1680 Luo speakers had occupied many parts of Northern and Southeast Uganda 15

  16. The Nilo hamites / the Atekerin These comprise the Karimajong, Iteso and are related to the Masai and Turkana all of whom trace their origins from south Ethiopia. As they proceeded on their movements the Atekerin fused with the Luo at major contact points and this gave birth to new peoples notably the Langi and Kumam. 16

  17. The Sudanic These came from southern Sudan. They are said to have been the first inhabitants of most of Northern Uganda but were driven away at different times at different places by new comers. They include the Lugbara, Lendu, Metu, Madi etc. 17

  18. Reasons for migrations Famine Diseases Wars Natural Calamites Search for fertile soils/ fresh grazing lands. Religious, political social persecution. Search for economic opportunities, etc economic and 18

  19. Governance in pre-colonial Uganda Different societies in pre-colonial Uganda had reached different levels of social organization on the advent of colonialism. Here it is important to note that whereas some societies were still at quite simple levels of organization with elders as leaders and clan councils playing an important role, some other societies had advanced/ elaborate administration/ government.(led paramount chiefs or war lords) systems of by 19

  20. Population linkages & kinship relations Pre-colonial African communities came to be closely related to one another through a network of migration patterns, interactions and relationships. They found common identity in language, culture and kinship relations through common ancestry. This means that the people of Africa have more in common. The following relationships/ interactions are particularly noted: 20

  21. Cont. The oldest kingdom in pre-colonial times was Bunyoro-Kitara through which virtually all the southern states came to relate. Her ruling dynasties i.e. the Tembuzi, the Cwezi the Babito made extensive use of marriage alliances with local clans and outlying areas to cement relationships In Bunyoro you would find Batooro, Bahiima, Basongora, Batuku, Bakonzo, Bamba, Alur, Bachope, Baruli, Basoga,..etc. 21

  22. Cont Babito dynasties were setup in Ankole, Tooro, Buganda, parts of Busoga, Rwanda, Burundi. Some of the Bantu speaking kingdoms had Luo-speaking kings at certain times eg Buganda and Bunyoro. Banyoro and Batooro were linked to the Luo through the Babito dynasty e.g names like olimi, Oyo, Winyi, Achakithat are found among the Batooro and Banyoro are Luo words. Luo equivalent names are: Olum, Oyo, Owiny and Acak. Banyoro pet names are called Empako the Acholi word for praise (pako) the pet names themselves have luo origin . 22

  23. Cont.. The main entrance at Kabaka s palace (LUBIRI) is called WANKAKI, same word as WANGKAC which in Luo means entrance. In Buganda one would find Baganda, Banyoro, Banasese, Bavuma, Batooro, Banyankole. Some cultural traits circumcision cut across tribes. The Acholi and Banyoro dancers have something in common: feathers on their heads and jingling anklets. Banabuddu, such as dances, 23

  24. Cont.. All Baganda kings are buried while facing Bunyoro Cultural celebrations commence until the Acholi delegation has arrived. etc. can not 24

  25. Illustration EMPAKO Amooti Abwooli Atwooki Araali Akiiki Adyeeri LUO MEANING I greet you I deceive you A cherished person Savior one who is jealously protected Your friend 25

  26. Cont. Even some Nyoro and Toro names and words have luo origins e.g Toro word Luo Ku konyera - kony- also meaning help Oyo - meaning rat or one born on the road side Rukidi - Rii kidi meaning long lasting like a rock Examples cutting accross ethnicities include; epale, amusiri/amana, oworugosi, kukunda, enduru, ejiko, akiipi, saubhoona,mboro,nyara. etc 26

  27. Regional production and exchange Note that over time man s productivity in Pre-colonial Uganda increased, resulting in the realization of a surplus product. This laid a foundation for trade and exchange. The trade was always a function of production. Production was based on ecology, which led to specialization. 27

  28. Cont.. was Exchange limited because communities were self -sufficient. Each community was involved in some form of production Langi had goats, grains, handcrafts, millet, simsim. Basoga were great carpenters; they had canoes on L. Victoria Iteso had grains, goats 28

  29. Cont.. In the Northward direction trade involved mainly the Alur, Lendu, Okebu, Madi, Lugbara exchanging agriculture, livestock and other products like salt, hoes, and dried fish from Bunyoro. Through trekking long distances, these goods spread to Lango, Acholi and Iteso. Iteso acquired iron hoes by bartering with Langi who obtained them from Bunyoro. They exchanged hides, skins, goats, Ivory, Beads, and cooking utensils from Bunyoro. The traders had the capacity for autonomous goal setting and decision- making in the trade. There was no exploitative foreign influence. 29

  30. Cont Karamajong had intense love for cows. Langi and Karamajong also produced spears. Panyimur and bugungu (Wanseko) were main collecting centers on L. mwitanzige (Albert). Banyankole were known for Ghee and red spears called Emitari . Societies living near each other had more contacts than those living apart. 30

  31. Cont.. Trade involved many communities who carried commodities back and forth traveling long distances. Market centers had also developed e.g. in Bunyoro where exchange goods. Mainly trade commodities beyond reach in certain communities but available in others. people met to in essential 31

  32. Cont.. Range of goods were limited consisting mainly of food implements .It was largely barter trade. Because of trade, there was mutual understanding and community would brought essential commodities to them or who traversed through their land stuffs, domestic peace, battle as no those who 32

  33. Cont.. Salt was a principal commodity around which trade involved. Because salt was in Bunyoro, Bunyoro became the principal link between the Nilotic north and southern Bantu. In the south, Katwe and kasenyi salt mines provided for Ankole, Kigezi, Rwanda,Burundi, Karagwe and outlaying areas 33

  34. Cont.. At Adaglango, on river Nile (near Karuma) the Langi used to cross coming to Bunyoro and Buganda for potato leaves and salt. Communities traded in their own goods i.e. goods themselves. The economies of different communities were integrated with one another. produced by 34

  35. Conclusion It is there fore very clear that African people were developing their own indigenous institutions the same way western civilizations did theirs. The coming of colonial rule at the time when societies were still building and strengthening their social economic organizations greatly interfered with African social economic and political development35

  36. Cont.. While pre-colonial Africans were building healthy inter- ethnic linkages, the colonial policy of divide and rule largely explains the current sectarian tendencies in our society resulting into exclusionism and conflicts. This is as a result of lack of correct understanding of our history. to the contrary, those that know this history correctly can foster national unity, peace and social economic transformation of our society 36

  37. END 37

  38. Colonial intrusion Colonialism is the practice by which a powerful country controls another country or other countries. To colonize is to take control of an area or country that is not your own, especially using force, and send people from your country to live there. A colony is a country or an area that is governed by people from another more powerful country. 38

  39. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Cont Colonialism is a superstructure of imperialism. It is a stage were capital spreads and establishes itself in foreign territories and uses those territories as markets for their products and source of raw materials for their industries It is the highest stage of capitalism 39

  40. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Reasons for colonialism (Developments Leading to Colonialism) The Industrial Revolution (1822 abolition of slave trade in Britain after 1807 legislation against it) The American War of Independence Nationalism in Europe Marxism Karl Marx 1818 1884 Search for raw Materials (as a result of US independence) Employment Cheap labour etc. 40

  41. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Colonial fore Runners in Uganda Early explorers Missionaries CMS 1877, White Fathers 1879, Verona Fathers 1910 IBEACO Administrators Baganda Agents 41

  42. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda The beginning of foreign intrusion The first foreigner to come to Uganda was Ahmed Bin Ibrahim an Arab trader from the E African Coast. He arrived in Buganda in 1844. From 1862 the Egyptians became interested in the Nile Valley and therefore wanted to put it under their control, hence the need to colonize Buganda. In 1864, the ruler of Egypt, Khedive Ismael sent Sir Samuel Baker to try and colonize Buganda for Egypt. His expedition was however defeated by the Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro at the battle of Baligota Isansa in 1864. 42

  43. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda The explorers The 1st Explorers to come to Uganda were Capt Speke and Capt Grant in 1862 during the reign of Kabaka Mutesa I. When they arrived at his palace, they were astonished by the high level of organization and protocol in what was then known as the Dark Continent. Speke and Grant had to wait for three weeks and three days before they were able to meet Mutesa I. Their initial aims were frustrated by the strong army and which was then being commanded by the King. It is estimated that Buganda had an army of about 100.000 men. 43

  44. British Colonizers - Initiators of Colonial Suppression Henry Stanley, Dr. David Livingstone, Sir Samuel Baker & Capt Fredrick Lugard 44

  45. Missionaries The 1st missionary group arrived in 1877 (CMS) under Lt Shergold Smith followed by Rev Fr Lt C.T Wilson in 1879. These missionaries played a great role in fostering Colonialism s in Uganda. E.g. they recruited for the colonial army from their converts and funded the IBEACO in 1893 when it was in financial problems. 45

  46. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda IBEAC 1888 1893/1894 Soon after the death of Kabaka Mutesa I in 1884 and the subsequent Berlin Conference (1884/85) Uganda was declared a British Protectorate. Company rule in Uganda began in 1888 under Capt William Macknon in London and Capt Lugard Fredrick in Uganda. The missionary activity had succeeded in dividing the people and had also led to a number of discontents among the local populace leading to the first civil war in 1889 in which Kabaka Mwanga was supported by the Christians to expel the Moslems 46

  47. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Cont .. Soon thereafter, the Catholics and the Protestants disagreed amongst themselves. The disagreement came because of two main factors. The Protestants were afraid of losing the positions they had won because of the part they had played in restoring Mwanga to the throne after the expulsion of Moslems. Besides Lugard was worried because the Catholics were out Protestant by 2/3 hence there was a need to check on their influence in the palace. numbering the 47

  48. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Cont . Capt William who had been left behind by Lugard to control the situation in Buganda proved extremely tactless in handling the affairs of Buganda; as he was far away in England. This is why when Capt Lugard came back from Western Uganda in 1890 he found a tense situation. The countryside was at war with Catholics gaining an upper hand. To make matters worse for Lugard on his return to Kampala he found that the IBEACO had been ordered by their main masters at the Hqs to withdraw from Uganda 48

  49. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Cont Lugard had also just heard that, immediately he left Western Uganda Kabalega attacked Tooro and had drivenKasagama out of power. The withdrawal was inevitable because of the expenses the company was incurring in its tactics to impose colonial rule in Uganda. The expenses were both financial and human. Lugard was certainly disappointed by his withdraw order, he never the less withdrew as far as Dagoreti (in Kenya) from where he decided to come back to Kampala (after financial assurance of another one year from the CMS of England) this was as a result of military gains by the Catholics 49

  50. Coat of arms of the Republic of Uganda Cont . His decision to return was because he concluded that company withdrawal from Buganda would leave the Protestants and the missionaries in a bad situation besides rendering his treaties in the west useless thus paving way for the Catholics and the Moslems in Buganda to take over Mengo. As soon as Lugard returned to Kampala in 1892, a situation developed which favored his decision to return. 50

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