There were several agreements that were signed in Uganda with different Kings of Buganda, Ankole, Bunyoro, and Toro. Before signing treaties with different kings/chiefs in different parts of the country, the British formed the Imperial British East Africa company which was authorised to carryout trade with the local people with an aim of making profits and also to govern Uganda on behalf of the British Government as a British colony.

The Imperial British East African Company sent an administrator called Sir Harry Johnstone to Uganda who later signed anagreement with Kabaka Daud Chwa.

The 1900 Buganda Agreement.

This was the agreement that was signed between Buganda and the British government. The major aim of signing this agreement was to have good ties (relationship) with the Kingdom of Buganda.

Representatives from Buganda and Britain signed the agreement. Harry Johnstone signed on behalf of the British government and Buganda was represented by the three regents namely Zakaria Kisingiri, Apollo Kaggwa and Stanislas Mugwanya. They signed on behalf of the young king, Daudi Chwa.

Terms of the Buganda Agreement.

The major terms of the Agreement were based on three issues namely taxation, land and different systems of governance. Buganda Kingdom was to be declared one of the provinces of Uganda but not an independent state.

The Kabaka continued to rule his kingdom using local laws. The Kabaka of Buganda was to be given the title of " His Highness".

The Kabaka was to be assisted by three senior ministers including the Katikkiro (prime minister) the Chief Justice (omulamuzi) and the treasurer (Omuwanika).

Buganda had the Lukiiko which made laws that governed the kingdom.

The agreement divided up the land. This created Mailo and crown land. Mailo was mainly for the king and his chiefs while Crown was for the British Protectorate government.

The agreement also introduced taxes which were to be paid by the people. These were gun tax and hut tax. Many people were not happy with these taxes. The Kingdom was to be divided into 20 counties each one being governed by a county chief.

Activity

1 . Have you ever made any kind of agreement, suggest any three situations that can lead to writing an agreement in your societies today.

2. Discuss why the British wanted the Buganda agreement to be signed.

The Toro Agreement.

The Toro Agreement was signed between the Kingdom of Toro and the British government as a way of ensuring protection from any form of further invasion by King Kabalega of Bunyoro.

Terms of the Toro Agreement.
Toro was promised total independence from Bunyoro and gun taxes were to be introduced as a way of raising revenue. Part of Toro land was to be given to the colonial government and the rest was to remain for the Omukama.

Omukama of Toro was installed and was to govern the kingdom based on the wishes of the British.

Ankole Agreement.
The Ankole Agreement was signed between the heir the late Omugabe Ntare of Ankole Kahaya and the British government.

Britain was represented by Fredrick Jackson. The people of Ankole had earlier opposed colonialism and this was done in different ways.

For example, they murdered a British commissioner. Small chiefdoms such as Buhweju, Igoro, Bunyaruguru and Kafara were also added to the Kingdom of Ankole in 1898.

Effects of Ankole Agreement.
The British government accepted to re-organise the instalation of Omugabe Kahaya as a ruler of that kingdom. The British also willingly accepted to help him negotiate with other people who were also claiming the throne.

Ankole Kingdom gained the territories of Buhweju, Igara, Bunyaruguru and Kajara that had been part of Bunyoro and thereafter fixed the boundaries of Ankole Kingdom. Hut and gun taxes were introduced as a way of raising revenue to meet the administrative costs.

The Bunyoro Agreement.
Colville used force to make Bunyoro part of the British Protectorate in 1896. Bunyoro Agreement was signed between the Kingdom of Bunyoro and the British government and the terms of the Agreement were as follows:-

Bunyoro lost much of its land to Buganda Kingdom, for example Buyaga and Bugangayizi counties. Buganda which helped the British to defeat Bunyoro was awarded many acres of land which were part of the counties mentioned.

Activity
1 . Hold a discussion. How did the Buganda agreement affect the people of Uganda?

2. Suggest any two ways in which these groups of people benefitted from the agreements

(a) British (b) Local people