19th century – 19th century
Buganda and Uganda
Kabaka Mwanga II was the ruler of Buganda during the intensifying European intervention in East Africa. He sought assistance from the Imperial British East Africa Company and European consuls while insisting that his objective was to preserve sovereignty and permit Europeans to trade rather than surrender his land. Treaties concluded with F. D. Lugard in 1890 and 1892, followed by Colonel H. E. Colvile’s treaty in 1894, transferred increasing authority over foreign affairs, revenue, taxation, and legal appeals to the British government.
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The Story
Mwanga II governed Buganda at a moment when European companies and governments were converting diplomatic relationships into instruments of territorial control. He appealed to the Imperial British East Africa Company for help in restoring him to his throne, offering ivory and commercial privileges in return. His request reflected a political strategy in which European support could strengthen his position against internal opponents and neighboring powers.
Mwanga’s instructions to his ambassadors made his own interpretation of the proposed relationship explicit. He wanted Europeans of different nations to come to Uganda to build and trade, but he stated that he did not want to give them his land. The arrangement he envisioned was therefore cooperation under his sovereignty, not the transfer of sovereignty to a European company or government.
The political balance changed after the Battle of Mengo on 24 January 1892, when Baganda Protestants defeated Baganda Catholics with the aid of Lugard’s Maxim gun. Mwanga was left in a weakened position. Treaties offering company protection were subsequently transferred to the British government, and Colvile’s final treaty of 27 August 1894 granted Britain control of foreign affairs, revenue, and taxes while making the British representative the supreme court of appeal in civil cases.
19th century – 19th century
Buganda and Uganda
Kabaka Mwanga II was the ruler of Buganda during the intensifying European intervention in East Africa. He sought assistance from the Imperial British East Africa Company and European consuls while insisting that his objective was to preserve sovereignty and permit Europeans to trade rather than surrender his land. Treaties concluded with F. D. Lugard in 1890 and 1892, followed by Colonel H. E. Colvile’s treaty in 1894, transferred increasing authority over foreign affairs, revenue, taxation, and legal appeals to the British government.
Continue exploring
The Story
Mwanga II governed Buganda at a moment when European companies and governments were converting diplomatic relationships into instruments of territorial control. He appealed to the Imperial British East Africa Company for help in restoring him to his throne, offering ivory and commercial privileges in return. His request reflected a political strategy in which European support could strengthen his position against internal opponents and neighboring powers.
Mwanga’s instructions to his ambassadors made his own interpretation of the proposed relationship explicit. He wanted Europeans of different nations to come to Uganda to build and trade, but he stated that he did not want to give them his land. The arrangement he envisioned was therefore cooperation under his sovereignty, not the transfer of sovereignty to a European company or government.
The political balance changed after the Battle of Mengo on 24 January 1892, when Baganda Protestants defeated Baganda Catholics with the aid of Lugard’s Maxim gun. Mwanga was left in a weakened position. Treaties offering company protection were subsequently transferred to the British government, and Colvile’s final treaty of 27 August 1894 granted Britain control of foreign affairs, revenue, and taxes while making the British representative the supreme court of appeal in civil cases.