In 1893 the British established a protectorate over Buganda.

In 1894, Uganda was declared a British protectorate. The Kingdoms of Ankole, Toro were brought under British control.The British waged war against Kabalega who tried to resist and was defeated. Military occupation of Bunyoro was under taken to prevent any rise in Kabalega’s power. This led to complete occupation of Bunyoro by the British.

Kasagama of Toro depended on the British support against Bunyoro and Toro welcomed British rule.

In 1900 the British signed an agreement with Baganda, Toro and later Ankole.

In 1902 the Eastern province of Uganda (Rift valley region) was given to Kenya.

Between 1899-1904, the British extended their rule into Bukedi, Bugisu, Kumamland, Teso and Sebei largely through Semei Kakungulu who organised them into administrative units under Baganda agents.

In 1903 the British took over Bugisu and Kakungulu’s nominees became advisers to the chiefs.

In 1905, the British signed an agreement with Busoga. The Buganda modal of administration was introduced in Busoga; the Lukiiko was introduced with Baganda agents as advisers.

In 1906, responsibility for the Uganda protectorate was passed from the British foreign office to the colonial office and the title of the title of the top official changed from Commissioner to governor. The system of administration in Buganda was self-sufficient similar to that of the British. The first governor was Sir Hesketh Bell (1905-1911). Introduction of cotton; wiping out sleeping sickness; and native courts proclamation were his achievements.

During the next two years effective administration was extended over most parts of Uganda. The British were much slower in establishing their rule to the Northeast and Northwest. Over the Langi, Acholi and Alur, they took advantage of rivalry between different groups. Chief Awich of Payera Chiefdom in Acholiland was the major resistor.

Kigezi, part of Belgian Rwanda was transferred to Uganda as compensation for the 1902 territory given to Kenya in 1909.

West Nile district was given to Uganda by Belgian Congo which took the Sudanese area of Barilokuta in 1914. The Alur, Kakwa and the Madi were all incorporated in that district.

Turkana region, which was part of Uganda, was transferred to Kenya British protectorate in 1926. In the same year Karamoja was finally subjugated.

Finally in 1933 the British signed an agreement with Bunyoro.

PROBLEMS OF THE PROTECTORATE

In some areas resistance and non co-operation with the colonial government continued; these finally erupted into revolts. For example the Lamogi,  Nyangire, and Nyabingi rebellions.

In some areas people were reluctant to grow cash crops.

In Busoga, Buganda and other areas around L. Victoria, such diseases as sleeping sickness claimed many lives.

Lack of sufficiently trained administrators to run government departments.

Poor communication and means of transport especially the very bad roads in most parts of Uganda.

Language barrier since very few people could speak and write English properly.

Most missionaries had created conflicts and antagonism between converts for example between Catholics and Protestants.

Inadequate funds to run the protectorate budget sometimes

In some areas, government agents were unpopular for example the Baganda in Bunyoro, Busoga, Bukedi and Bugisu.

Ivory hunting was on the increase and this threatened the extinction of elephants.

The Turkana were raiding large parts of Northern Uganda. They created insecurity and loss of property as well as life.

Petty inter-tribal wars and raids continued for example the Karamojong against the Iteso

Other problems in the North Uganda were: firstly, drawing and defining boundaries for pastoral people who were used the free life of moving place to place for pasture.

Secondly, finding chiefs whose authority would be accepted, since originally there was no centralised administration.

Thirdly, how to make pastoral people accept restriction in cattle movement and provision of veterinary services.

AFRICAN REACTION TO THE IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE

The term reaction refers to how Africans felt and did when European colonisers came and settled in African land.

This reaction was two-fold in that some Africans resisted which implies that African societies or personalities refused European imperialism by use of force among these included the Abushiri, the Nandi, Ndebele, Maji-Maji, Temne-Mende, Shona-Ndebele (Chimurenga wars) among others..

Others opted to collaborate which implies to those chiefs or local people who decided to ally themselves with European imperialists some of whom included initially the Baganda, chief Lenana of the Masai, the Luyia among others..

The reaction of the collaborators was determined by a number of factors among which included the embracing of Christianity where such societies had been convinced that resistance against European imperialism was resistance against God and progress therefore that one of the reasons why some Ganda Christian chiefs opted to collaborate with European imperialists.

In addition some chiefs and societies had their enemies who they wanted to destroy but lacked enough military support, they therefore opted to collaborate with Europeans in order to provide them with military support for example Chief Lenana of the Masai collaborated with British imperialists in order to fight the Kikuyu who used to capture and sell them as slaves.  Similarly the Wanga of  Western Kenya collaborated in order to fight against the Luo and likewise Buganda collaborated with the British to fight against the Banyoro.

Still some had to ally with European imperialists because they had already been weakened by natural disasters like diseases, civil war, famine among others..

Likewise some chiefs and local people opted to ally because of their military inferiority and especially the fear of the maxim gun.  In otherwords to them resistance only meant destruction of their societies.

Lastly collaboration was also prompted by the desire by Africans to gain from Europeans trade, acquire arms and be able to resist against their enemies however some personalities like Semei Kakungulu, Apollo Kaggwa, Nuwa Mbaguta among others. collaborated purely for personal gains.

In conclusion its vital to note that the reaction of these Africans or collaborators was largely determined by the prevailing circumstances not that they wanted to lose their independence.