Buganda's secessionist attempts
Between
1952 - 1966, Buganda made efforts to break away from the rest of Uganda
and form an autonomous state. This was due to the following reasons:
To protect her traditional independence. Before colonial rule, Buganda
was politically, economically and socially strong and independent. Her
system of administration was so good and admired by the British who
applied it in other parts of Uganda (Kiganda model of administration).
Their attempt to secede was therefore aimed at maintaining their
traditional status.
To protect her uniqueness. By the terms of the 1900 Buganda agreement,
Buganda had been given a favourable position /a special status as
compared to other Kingdoms of Uganda. And throughout the colonial
period, they had been favoured. By seceding, Buganda hoped to retain
her unique status.
The Kabaka's powers, respect and dignity would only be retained if
Buganda seceded from the rest of Uganda. A unitary government or the
East African federation would reduce his powers. So, why not secede?
Opposition against Cohen's Unitarism. Sir Andrew Cohen (governor of
Uganda from 1952) proposed the formation of a unitary form of
government in Uganda. As for Mutesa II, he wanted a federal type of
government and when Andrew Cohen hard lined Buganda opted to secede.
The fear of the East African federation also led to Buganda's attempts
to secede. In 1953, the British colonial secretary (Lyttelen) declared
the British intentions of creating a federation/ political union of
Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. Buganda feared that this would lead to
grabbing of land by the white settlers of Kenya- Hence the desire to
secede from Uganda.
Buganda wanted to protect her culture. Buganda feared that both the
E.A.F and the unitary government would undermine her culture. Already,
peoples of other tribes had started coming to Kampala and if this trend
weren't checked, it would render Buganda's superior culture diluted-
Secession was aimed at protecting her culture.
The desire to protect her resources. Buganda was richer and superior to
other provinces/Kingdoms of Uganda by then. She feared that uniting
with other provinces of Uganda would make her resources to be diverted
to developing those other parts. This would slow down Buganda's
development. Hence her desire to secede.
Buganda felt self-sufficient. With her natural endowments, good
climate, trade and the colonial developments like schools, hospitals,
roads and towns; Buganda felt she was strong enough to manage its own
affairs. It felt adequate and needed no-body -Hence the rejection
ofunitarism and opting for secession.
Buganda wanted to protect its land from the many immigrants who were
trickling into the Kingdom on a daily basis. These included some whites
and Ugandans, but mostly the Asians who were buying land from poor
Baganda.
The question of the lost countries also led to Buganda's desire to
secede. In appreciation of the great role the Baganda had played in
crushing Bunyoro's resistance and extending colonial rule to the rest
of Uganda, the British had rewarded the Baganda with 10 counties of
Bunyoro- the lost countries. When President Milton Obote made plans of
returning the 10 countries to Bunyoro, Buganda increased her
secessionist demands.
The introduction of democracy in Uganda was feared by Buganda because
it would reduce the Kabaka's powers. Hence Buganda's boycott of the
1958 direct elections and the continued desire to secede- Buganda
equally feared the Wild committee's recommendations.
Failure of the British to protect Buganda led to her secessionist
demands. In 1945 and 1949, the British had used force against the
Baganda and in 1953, Cohen had exiled the Buganda King. The Baganda
could no longer count on British protection.
The hatred from other tribes made Buganda desire to secede. Why unite with other tribes who hated Buganda?
The hatred from other tribes made Buganda desire to secede. Why unite with other tribes who hated Buganda?
National Movements and New States in Africa