THE BUGANDA AGREEMENT OF 1900
Buganda agreement was a document signed by the British commissioner of Uganda; Sir Harry Johnston and the leader of Buganda kingdom. The agreements were meant at modifying the structure of administration in Buganda area.
THE TERMS (CONTENTS) OF THE BUGANDA AGREEMENT
The British could interfere with the power of KABAKA. Kabaka should be assisted by the British commissioner in Kabaka’s place and the LUKIIKO on the other hand.
The LUKIIKO (native legislature) should be the local legislature and the court of appeal in Buganda kingdom. The members of the Lukiiko should be (3 ministers, 20 saza chiefs, 60 nobles and 6 additional people appointed by Kabaka). KABAKA (His highness) to be assisted by three (3) natives ministers as follows:-
KATIKIRO (native prime minister)
OMULAMUZI (Native chief justice).
OMUWANIKA (Native finance minister).
*The hut tax should be 3 rupees per year in Buganda kingdom.
*Half of Buganda land to be crown land (property of the British government). The remaining land was to be divided by the KUKIIKO into square miles (MAILOS or MAILOLAND) and this land should be given to Kabaka and his royal family, kabakas friend’s ministers and saza chiefs.
*The natives of Buganda should be provided free hold land ownership.
*There should be no large scale land alienation in Buganda.
*Buganda kingdom should be divided into 22 sazas including the lost areas of the eastern part of Bunyoro kingdom. The number of sazas was increased from 10 to 22.
THE IMPACT OF THE BUGANDA AGREEMENT IN COLONIAL AND POST COLONIA UGANDA
Buganda agreement became the model of administration in the entire Uganda. It was succeeded by the Toro agreement of 1900 signed by the British and Omukama Karamaga and few chiefs. Toro became independent from Bunyoro. Other agreements were Ankole, Bunyoro and Busoga agreements.
It consolidated tribalism in Uganda. The British created laws based on native tribes.
The agreements consolidated peasant economy in Uganda. This was because the natives were given a free held land ownership and it prevented large scale land ownership.
It limited a number of whites settles in Uganda. White settlers weren’t provided with free land. They had to negotiate with the natives if they wanted to buy land.
Land alienation was strictly forbidden by the laws. This gave the natives a freedom to continue with their modified traditional peasantry.
The mandate of KABAKA was minimized. His influence to the common people was reduced. The British consolidated the indirect rule Budanda, Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole, Busoga etc. through these agreements.
It increased HOSTILITY between the people of Bunyoro and Buganda because the lost providence of Bunyoro Kitara were included in the 22 Sazas of Buganda.
LUKIIKO because the highest authority in Buganda. It became the court of appeal and the native legislature.
The British officials became commissioner working in the office (KABAKA’S palace). He worked with katikiro (the native prime minister.
