UGANDA

NATIONAL CONFLICTS
PHASE II: Clash of Polities (Early Post-Independence: 1962
– 1966)
Before the arrival of the colonialists, the area that comprises modern Uganda
was composed of different polities, both the bigger, well-known kingdoms of
Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro and Ankole, as well as smaller kingdoms and chiefdoms.
With the proclamation of Independence, a new polity was born: the Ugandan
state. Many Ugandans still paid more allegiance to their traditional leaders than
to the new Ugandan state. Old and new polities soon clashed, for example during
the conflict over the lost counties between Buganda and Bunyoro, the 1966
Kabaka crisis, as well as during clashes with neighbouring states, such as Congo.
Although Kingdoms were abolished in 1967, the clash of polities would haunt
Uganda for decades to come.
7. Conflict between the Central Government and Buganda (1962 –
present)
Following the Buganda
Agreement in 1900, the
Buganda Kingdom opposed the
centralization of government. 91
After Independence in 1962,
numerous events unfolded in
Buganda that tore apart the
relationship between Buganda
and the Central Government.
Most notable was the 1966
attack on the Kabaka’s palace
that led to the deposition of
Kabaka Edward Fredrick Mutesa
II and his subsequent flight
into exile in England. Shortly
thereafter, Prime Minister
Milton Obote declared himself
the President and introduced
a Republican Constitution.
This abolished all Kingdoms
and caused resentment of the
centralized state, especially in
the well-established Kingdom of
Buganda. 92
91 Research conducted in Mukono District
92 Johannessen, C. (2005) The Legal and institutional context of the 2006 elections in Uganda: Kingship
in Buganda. Research Notes. Chr. Michelsen Institute & Makerere University [Internet], Available
from:
[Accessed 13 September 2012]
69