It was one of the independent states that broke away after the collapse of the Bunyoro - Kitara empire under the Bachwezi 

The origin and the foundation of Buganda kingdom is based on various versions as taken down by the Historians.  However the Buganda and Bunyoro traditions are mostly believed.

Origin:

It is indeed not clear in the history circles how Buganda kingdom originated. The oral history sources have tried to explain the origin in different ways. The Baganda believe that Kintu is their founder and today about 13-14 clans believe this tradition.  He came from the direction of Mt. Elgon with his wife Nambi.

According to Banyoro tradition, the founder of Buganda was Kato Kimera a brother to Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi, a founder of the Luo Bito dynasty.    Kimera is said to have come with six clans

The other historians believe that the Baganda like any other group of Bantu must have migrated from Congo Niger region and settled in the present lake region.  They were part of the western or interlacutrine Bantu who entered East Africa between Lake Albert and Lake George.

Buganda was originally a small kingdom centred around Busiro, Mawokota and Kyadondo.  However by  the end of the first ½ of 19^th century it  had grown into an extensive kingdom.

 

Buganda was a highly organised kingdom which explains why it prospered and expanded in the region.  It was politically, socially and economically organised.

Despite these controversies, there is a general agreement among historians that the term Buganda came from the first Chief of the community.  It is believed that what is present Buganda was initially a small geographical setting comprised of the three counties notably: Busiro, Kyadondo and Mawokota. 

However by mid 19^th Century because of a number of factors among which was able leadership for example Ssuna, Mawanda, Ssemakokiro, Mutesa I and others, military strength, proper administration, good climatical conditions, participation in Long Distance Trade, she expanded to her present day position at the expense of the decline of Bunyoro thus covering areas as far as higher chiefdoms of Bukoba region southwards in the modern North West of Tanzania.

Growth of Buganda Kingdom:

The earliest Baganda inhabitants lived in present day Busiro, Mawokota and Kyadondo.  It was around this nucleus that the state gradually expanded in population and territory. 

By early nineteenth century, Buganda was so powerful militarily and even replaced Bunyoro as a dominant state under the reign of Kabaka Ssemakokiro and Mawanda, Buganda captured Koki, Buddu, Ssingo, and Bulemezi and Busoga principalities.  In fact other territories like Mawogola were captured from Bunyoro.

Reasons for expansion of Buganda

The introduction of centralised system of administration strengthened the position and government of kings of Buganda.  This was largely achieved by the suppression of traditional clan heads and replacement of hereditary chiefs by those appointed by the rulers.

The creation of the royal bodyguards and general re-organisation of the army brought stability in Buganda.  The kings used the army to protect their political authority to expand and defend Buganda against external enemies like Bunyoro.

Buganda was at first small, compact and under effective control.  Therefore, it was quite easy for the kings to monitor and maintain effective control over the state.

Buganda was surrounded by weak and disorganised societies for example the only serious rival Bunyoro was too large and had been weakened by internal revolts while Busoga principalities lacked strong and organised army to resist Buganda's raiding forces.

Benefits from external trade further aided Buganda state.  Buganda got actively involved in the long distance trade with Arabs and kings imported guns and communities which strengthened Buganda military machinery.  The kings also used other items like cloth, beads and glass to reward their loyalty of the chiefs together with clan heads.  The monopoly of fire arms gave Buganda superiority in the region.

Natural factors like fertile soils and good climate characterised by reliable rainfall was of an added advantage to Buganda state.  It enabled the Baganda to produce abundant food which subsequently led to high population growth.  So while women became producers of food, the men were all out to keep security of the state.

Able strong and determined leadership was every significant factor in strengthening and maintaining the state.  Without this quality of leadership and organisation and ability of the kings, growth and maintenance would have been impossible to achieve.  In fact under the rule of Kabaka Junju, Ssemakokiro and Mawanda Buganda attained the highest glory.

Military aid from the Christian missionaries and later the British strengthened Buganda against her enemies particularly Bunyoro for example the British supported the Baganda with rifles and maxim gun.  This led to quick military break down of Bunyoro hence Buganda's expansion and  growth 

Buganda's geographical location or strategic position did contribute to its growth .  To the south it was boarded by Lake Victoria, to the East by River Nile and North East by Lake Kyoga.  This position gave it the only threat to come from Bunyoro.  The defensive barriers protected Buganda from any possible attacks.

Buganda's rise and growth was also due to the existence of the road network system in the kingdom.  These roads were maintained through a program known as Bulungi bwa Nsi.  It was easy to transport administrators like kings and chiefs, the army in case of war.  But above all the traders during long distance trade used it.

The major factor that contributed to the growth of Buganda is the decline of Bunyoro - Kitara Empire.  Because of this Buganda was able to conquer and absorb many territories for example Koki, Buddu among others. By the 19^th century, the kingdom of Buganda was the most powerful in the interlacutrine region.

Political organisation

Buganda political system was highly centralised.  The king was head of the system and was recognised as an effective ruler. The government of an absolute monarchy. All the political powers were centralised in the hands of the Kabaka.  That is he could appoint and dismiss chiefs.  His powers were indeed absolute.

There was a hierarchy of administration.  There were a number of chiefs below the Kabaka through which administration spread throughout the kingdom.  The king's authority was felt by all Baganda.

The Kabaka ruled with the help of a legislative council that consisted of Prime Minister (Katikiro) treasurer (Omuwanika) and chief justice.

For effective administration, Buganda was divided into counties.  These counties were further divided into sub-counties.  These were further divided into parishes and finally to sub-parishes (villages). Each division was under a chief appointed by the Kabaka.

The Kabaka had a standing army and navy of canoe men.  These defended the kingdom, expanded it and even kept law and order.

The Kabaka had an effective spy network of women on his chiefs.  This helped him to ensure close relationship with the country side chiefs.

The kingdom had very many clans about fifty-two.  Each clan had it's own leadership.  To ensure loyalty from the Baganda the king married from almost every clan.

Social organisation

Socially the kingdom of Buganda was based on various aspects

There was social stratification in Buganda that is the Baganda people were divided in different and numerous grades.  At the top was the Kabaka and royal family followed by chiefs and lastly Bakopi or commoners.

There were social privileges given to the members according to status of one in society.  The Kabaka was the most respected and paid no tax, chiefs too were not to pay the taxes while the Bakopi and slaves were least privileged and had no respect.

First was the royal family headed by the Kabaka.  They were called the Abalangira and Abambejja.  This was a combination of princes and princesses respectively.

The second group was that of the great chiefs and chiefs.  This involved the Bakungu, Bataka, Saza, Gombolola chiefs among others

The third group comprised of peasants or commoners known as Bakopi.  This group provided labour services in the palace and were recruited in the army, they also farmed the land and they were the real serfs of Buganda.   The last group was that of slaves-Abadu.  This performed almost similar duties as commoners.

The Baganda had a religion called the Lubale cult.  They worshipped their ancestors like Musoke in charge of rain, Walumbe in charge of death and Mukasa in charge of lakes, Kibbuka - god of war, Ddungu - god of hunters.

The Baganda had a well established judicial system.  They had traditional law for settling local disputes.  The Baganda had laws which every Muganda had to observe for example, in each clan, the father was highly respected.

 The Baganda had totems that they observed it was a taboo if one member of the clan ate his totem.  This kind of practice helped the Baganda to maintain a social bond.

Another social feature was the polygamous marriage.  A man was allowed to have as many wives as he wished.  This was aimed at producing many children.  Most kabakas of Buganda married up to 100 women.  He almost married from every clan.  This helped him earn loyalty from the clan.

The Kabaka's throne was hereditary that is the king could be succeeded by one of his sons.  There was however no royal clan that could boast of producing the Kabaka.  In case there was no king, the Mugema could intervene to minimise conflicts.

Economic organisation

The Baganda practised agriculture, which was because of the good fertile soils and climate.  The main crops grown were beans, yams, bananas, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

Besides farming the Baganda kept animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and hens. These provided milk, meat, eggs, respectively.

Fishing was also practised in Buganda.  It was a main activity of those who lived near lakes, rivers and swamps.

Slavery was also an economic activity.  These could be got through rivals organised by the king.  They did domestic work and their women at times were taken over by the Kabaka,

Trade was also another economic activity of Baganda.  They had trading contacts with their neighbours.  They exchanged  their products like bark cloth for items such as iron equipment and salt with the Banyoro, cattle, groundnuts and simsim with the Iteso, Langi and Banyankole.

After sometime, the Baganda practised and participated in the long distance trade from which they got guns which was a important asset in addition to cloth, glass, hardware and beads.

The Kabaka used items like glass, plates, cloth got from the long distance trade to reward his royal chief for the good work done hence strengthening their loyalty towards him.

Taxation was another source of wealth to the kingdom. This was paid by the Baganda in kind that is in form of food, cattle among others and another form of taxation was paid by the vassal states like Busoga.  This was in form of tributes.

Buganda also  got its source of revenue and wealth from taxes collected.  This was paid in form of animals and food crops.

Tributes were also another source of revenue and were mainly paid by Busoga principalities in form of slaves especially women, young and energetic men or livestock.  It I this economic strength of Buganda that made it politically strong.