{UAH} The 1900 Uganda Agreement was a revolution in Buganda

A revolution means a fundamental change in a society – in this case Buganda society.

Kabaka and land

Before 1900 Agreement "In Buganda all land was entrusted to the Kabaka for use by all his subjects without discrimination. Once a Muganda had acquired a plot (Kibanja) and built a house, he became a respected person in that area. He was only expected to give tribute in form of beer, food, labor to the Mukungu of the area, as well as military service to the Kabaka in time of need"(G. K. Kahangi 2003).

The 1900 Agreement took the land away from the people and gave it to the chiefs as freehold and private property (Mailo land) and the people became serfs. The mailo land system was colonial injustice that needs to be addressed in one form or another. In Ireland and Kenya compensatory arrangements were undertaken. If it is not addressed without delay the new landlords agreed to between Mengo administration and the central government might create more roadblocks.

Given Buganda's and indeed Uganda's level of development where some 85 percent of Ugandans still derive their livelihood from land it is still the only asset they have and authorities should help them retain their land rather than advise them to sell it and start business in urban areas which so far has not worked.

Kabaka and the welfare of Baganda

The role of the Kabaka as guardian of the welfare of the people was stressed at the time of coronation. "Look with kindness upon all your people, from the highest to the lowest; be mindful of your land, deal justice among your people… His role as the dispenser of justice was symbolized by the Katikiro handing him the rod and saying: 'With this rod you shall judge Buganda; it shall be given to your Katikiro to judge Buganda, you shall both judge Buganda'".

Kabaka and appointing authority

By and large, Kabaka was the source of authority, making a wide range of appointments.  To balance power among competing entities, the king allocated "posts in favor of one lineage as against another on the basis of their respective power and loyalty, on the one hand, and the avoidance of jealousy on the other hand"(K. S. Carlson 1968).

The 1900 Agreement transferred these powers from the Kabaka to the Lukiiko and the cabinet led by Apolo Kagwa.

Although the Kabaka was to be called "His Highness", and to exercise direct rule over his people, he would do so with the assistance of three ministers – the Katikiro, the newly established chief justice and a newly created treasurer.

The Lukiiko was formally established as the legislature and final court of appeal (Vincent Harlow and E. M. Chilver 1965). De facto, the king became a ceremonial head. The traditional chiefs were replaced by the newly created religious leaders who constituted the cabinet and the Lukiiko (there was no traditional leader) and became saza chiefs of twenty counties: ten went to Protestants, eight to Catholics and two to Muslims.

Kabaka and the 1955 and 1993 Agreements

The 1955 Namirembe Agreement formally reduced the Kabaka to a ceremonial head. The 1993 Agreement reduced the Kabaka to a traditional head depending largely on the central government for security and livelihood. What next nobody knows but the trajectory is clear.

All the Kabakas from Mwanga to Mutesa II fought to regain their authority but did not succeeded. In this 1900 revolution, the Kabaka, Bataka chiefs and Bakopi (peasants) lost badly. In other words traditional institutions that gave Buganda wealth, pride and glory (what many Baganda are referring to these days in the media) were replaced by the new ones crafted by colonial and religious establishments.

This note has been written purely for civic education purposes. Those with additional information kindly make it available.

Eric Kashambuzi

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