Section outline

  • Key unit competence: By the end of this unit, the learner should be able
    to describe the factors that led to the rise and
    decline of kingdoms in East and Central Africa:

    Case study of Buganda and Kongo kingdoms.


    Using textbooks or internet, draw the map showing the kingdoms
    of East and Central Africa and answer the questions asked in groups
    of five students.

    1. Identify and locate those kingdoms on the map of Africa.
    2. Discuss on the main reasons for the rise of East and central
    African Kingdom
    3. Identify the reasons for the gradual breaks up of Eastern and
    central African Kingdoms.

    There were many kingdoms in the east and central African region
    before the colonial era. Among the most established kingdoms
    were the Buganda and the Kongo kingdoms. This unit explores the
    origin, rise of each of these two kingdoms. It concludes by studying

    the reasons for the decline of these two kingdoms.

     Buganda Kingdom

    Introduction

    This was one of the most developed and highly centralized states in the
    interlacustrine region in the middle of 19th Century. It covered the area
    between Lake Kyoga and Lake Victoria in the north and south respectively.
    To the west she was boarded by Bunyoro and extended as far as River Nile
    to the east.

    There are two theories that explain the origin of the Buganda Kingdom.
    The first theory is based on traditions in Buganda. These traditions
    suggest that the founder of Buganda was Kintu. Kintu was an immigrant
    from Mount Elgon region. He is believed to have organised the Buganda
    clans in one centralised organisation with himself on top of administrative
    hierarchy. This theory is popular among the Baganda and is believed by
    about thirteen clans.

    The other theory that explains the origin of Buganda is the Kimera theory.
    Traditions in Bunyoro assert that Buganda Kingdom was formed by a sub
    dynasty of Babito. They argue that after the Chwezi Empire disintegrated,
    different provinces founded their own kingdoms. Traditions say that
    the founder of Buganda kingdom was Kato Kirema, a twin brother of
    Isingoma Rukidi Mpuga. Isingoma Rukidi was the founder of Babito
    Dynasty in Bunyoro Kingdom. What is important is that by the middle of
    the 16th Century, a kingdom emerged in the area north of Lake Victoria.

    The kingdom later expanded in all directions.


    1.1. Factors for the rise and growth of Buganda Kingdom.

    1. State any two factors that led to the rise of Buganda Kindom.
    2. By the 19th century, Buganda was at the peak of its greatness. Let
    us now discuss some of the factors for its rise and growth.

    a) Strong and ambitious leaders.

    Around the 14th and 15th centuries, the small Buganda Kingdom
    experienced rapid growth and expansion. Initially, the kingdom was made
    up of smaller kingdoms of Busiro, Kyadondo and Mawokota. This growth
    came about as a result of powerful and ambitious kings of Buganda at
    that time. Such kings captured new areas towards the end of the 16th
    century. They added them to the existing Buganda Kingdom. At the same
    time, it can rightly be argued that the kingdom had weaker neighbours
    such as Bunyoro Kingdom.

    Examples of such strong leaders are Kabaka Kateregga, who raided
    Bunyoro and conquered Ggomba, part of Butambala, southern Ssingo
    and part of Busunju. This was around the 16th and 17th centuries.
    However, Kabaka Kyabaggu made raids into Busoga but was later forced
    to withdraw.

    Another successful and ambitious leader was Kabaka Jjunju, who
    annexed Buddu, Kooki, parts of Kiziba and Karagwe from Bunyoro in the
    18th Century. He also made Buhaya pay tribute to the larger Buganda
    Kingdom. Kabaka Ssemakokiro, in the last quarter of the 18th Century,
    got Buwekula and Bulemezi. He also forced Busoga to pay tribute to
    Buganda. Kabaka Mawanda, in the 18th Century, got Karagwe, which lay

    to the northeast of Bulemezi and northwest of Singo.

    b) Centralised administration.

    Buganda was a highly centralised state under a king known as Kabaka.
    He ruled with the help of the traditional parliament called Lukiiko. Apart
    from the Lukiiko, the king was also assisted by three important officials:
    the prime minister (Katikiro), the treasurer (Omuwanika) and chief
    justice (Omulamuzi). The king was a source of power from the head of
    the administrative unit to the bottom level. Important to note is that
    a decision by the Lukiiko as well as Kabaka’s word was final in settling

    disputes and initiating development projects.

    c) Smooth succession of leaders.

    Succession of leadership in the kingdom was well laid out. Before the
    kabaka died, he had to name his successor. If he did not, the katikiro and
    the clan heads would be responsible for choosing the capable kabaka.
    This reduced conflict that could arise out of succession. In general, this

    promoted stability and peace in the kingdom.

    d) Trade.

    Buganda Kingdom participated in trade with its neighbours such as
    Ankole, Bunyoro, Karagwe and Rwanda. It traded in bark cloth and iron.
    Generally, the trade boosted its economic progress. The kingdom also
    participated in Long Distance Trade that was being carried out between
    the East African Coast and Central Africa. The Arabs from the coast brought
    guns in exchange for slaves and ivory. The kingdom used these guns to

    conquer her neighbours and further expand her territory.

    e) Strategic location.

    Buganda Kingdom was strategically positioned with natural features.
    For instance, Lake Victoria on the south, Lake Kyoga on the north and
    River Nile on the east. These natural features provided defense against

    her neighbours.

    f) Fertile soils and favourable climate.

    The kingdom supported agriculture. This is because it lay on land that was
    fertile. Together with favourable climate that it experienced; it produced
    good harvest that supported the population. Matoke was their staple

    food. They also kept livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats.

    g) Strong army.

    The kingdom had an army equipped with iron weapons such as spears,
    bowls and iron arrows. There also existed royal bodyguards that maintained
    the Kabaka’s court and constantly protected it. The army defended the
    kingdom and protected its boundaries. Every able- bodied male adult
    had a responsibility to protect it. The army was well organized, trained

    and disciplined.

    h) Unifying language, religion, ancestry and culture.

    The Kingdom of Buganda had several unifying factors. Among these was
    their language, others being their traditional religion, a common ancestry
    and similar culture. All these factors led to the kingdom’s rise, growth
    and expansion. For instance, the Buganda Kingdom was a homogenous

    society with the Bantu whose language was Luganda. 

    This made communication easy and swift throughout the kingdom.
    The Kabaka among the Baganda on the other hand was not only an
    administrative leader, but also a spiritual leader. He was believed to be the
    overall mediator between his people and their god, Lubaale. Their culture
    also emphasised respect for authority and elders. This minimised cases of

    disobedience and internal revolts.

    i) Began as a small state.

    At first, the Kingdom of Buganda was small. This made it possible to be
    easily administrated and controlled. Communication throughout the

    kingdom was also fast and effective.


    1. Discuss the factors that led the rise and growth of Buganda
    kingdom.
    2. Present the findings.

    1.2. Factors for the decline of Buganda Kingdom



    Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
    Contrary to what many think, leadership is about ‘carrying’ other people’s
    load. It requires patience, tolerance, wisdom, fairness and dedication.
     In some cases, a leader must be strict, even if other people will oppose him
    or her. The most important thing is that the strictness should be based on
    fairness and service to all.

    A good leader should always be ready to attend to the needs of the people
    he or she leads. While doing so, he or she must prioritise the needs. That is
    to say that some needs may require urgent attention than others.
    If leadership is left to weak, undecided, immoral and corrupt leaders,
    a state fails. Many states have collapsed due to leadership wrangles or
    incitement. In some cases, tribalism has led to collapse of regimes and

    deaths of innocent citizens.

    1. According to the passage, explain what leadership entails.
    2. Identify some of the factors that can lead to collapse of a

    regime as mentioned in the passage.

    a) The coming of Europeans.

    The location of the kingdom made it open to foreign interference.
    For example, it was located along the trade routes which were used
    by Europeans. These Europeans consisted of explorers, missionaries,
    chartered companies and, later on, colonialists. They signed treaties with
    the Kabaka and chiefs and stopped slave trade and slavery. They also
    abolished traditional religion, introduced Christianity and reduced the

    powers of the Kabaka. This led to the decline of the kingdom.

    b) Big size of the kingdom.

    The kingdom expanded to its great height to annex Busoga and
    Bukedi and other vassal states. The big size due to expansion came
    with administrative loopholes, rebellions and inefficiency in control. For
    instance, distant administrative areas like Busoga broke away, weakening

    the kingdom as well as reducing its size.

    c) Religious conflicts.

    The coming of Christian missionaries in Buganda brought some negative
    effects. For instance, there were some religious conflicts among Catholics,
    Protestants and Muslims. These religious conflicts divided people along

    religious lines.

    d) Weak military.

    The large areas that the kingdom occupied made it difficult for it to
    maintain a large enough army to protect it. With further expansion,
    the kingdom’s military system weakened. It also had no standing army
    to defend the kingdom on a daily basis except the royal guards that
    maintained the king’s security. This led to its decline. With the coming of
    the Europeans, the Buganda army was unable to protect the kingdom.
    This was because they had less powerful guns from Arabs as compared to

    those of the colonialists.

    e) Succession disputes.

    In the early 19th century, a man called Mutebi tried to become the kabaka
    of Buganda. He had the backing of a number of chiefs for the throne. This
    was disputed by his brother, Kamanya, who had similar interests. What
    followed was a bitter succession war between these two brothers. The
    dispute caused the death of Mutebi in the hands of his brother, Kamanya.

    Kamanya was so paranoid he even killed his own sons. 

    Another succession dispute was witnessed between Apolo Kaggwa,
    supporting Daudi Chwa and Daudi Mwanga. The dispute started shortly

    after Mwanga’s father had been forced out of his kingdom and into exile 

    in the Seychelles Islands. The dispute lasted between 1888 and 1892,
    culminating in the Battle of Mengo. Apollo Kaggwa defeated a Muslim
    supported Daudi Mwanga and saw the installation of a Christian backed
    one-year-old Daudi Chwa. Kaggwa ended up being one of the three of

    kabaka’s regents.

    f) Decline of trade.

    Trade in Buganda kingdom declined or collapsed especially with the
    coming of Europeans. The Europeans stopped long distance trade with
    its main item, slaves. This led to a reduction of the kingdom’s revenue,

    consequently leading to its downfall.

    g) Death of strong leaders.

    The kingdom of Buganda lost capable, brave and strong leaders such
    as Kabaka Mwanga and Kabaka Mutesa. These leaders had special and
    natural skills of administration. This brought a gap in the kingdom in

    terms of re-organization hence leading its decline.

    h) External attacks.

    Buganda Kingdom kept on declining and became less feared by its
    neighbours. This caused the neighbouring kingdoms that were assumed
    to be weak, before to attack it. Such an attack was mounted by the
    Bunyoro Kingdom. From such attacks, Buganda experienced damages

    and losses.

    i) Disunity.

    The kingdom became disunited because of religious conflicts and
    divisions. The subjects started hating and fighting themselves. This led to

    the kingdom’s decline.

    j) Political instabilities.

    The coming of the British caused political instability in the Buganda
    Kingdom. This is because their interests in the kingdom were mainly
    economic. To effectively benefit from this new-found economic entity,
    they had to devise a way of disturbing the unity that had kept the kingdom
    together. They therefore opted for ‘divide-and-rule’ policy, as a way of
    hindering the people’s relations in order to prevent potential political
    alliances and uprisings. The people of this former prosperous kingdom

    found themselves clustered in regions and tribal communities.

     The divide-and-rule policy was so effective that it prevented Africans from
    taking part in the national political arena. This in turn suppressed any
    form of unity in coming up with political movements that could oppose

    their selfish maneuvers.

    The British also introduced Christian religion in the kingdom, which
    caused serious divisions amongst the people. For instance, when Mutesa
    died in 1884, his son Mwanga succeeded him. Mwanga was a young
    man when he took the throne. Unfortunately, he lacked the leadership
    qualities of his late father. Soon, the kingdom became unstable as a result
    of the rivalries between the various religious camps. With the kingdom in
    turmoil, the religious groupings effectively became political affiliations.
    Each of these affiliations confronted the king militarily. Mwanga was

    deposed by the armed converts, forcing him to flee the kingdom in 1888.

    In the civil war that ensued, Muslims emerged successful. They proclaimed
    an Islamic state and installed Kiwewa, a prince who had converted to Islam,
    as king. However, the Christian converts ganged to fight the Muslims
    and defeated them. The Christians installed Kalema, a prince who was in

    support of their efforts.


    Assess factors which led to the decline of Buganda kingdom. Present
    them to the class.
    Kongo Kingdom.

    Introduction.

    The Kingdom of Kongo was located in west central Africa. It covered the
    present-day northern Angola, Cabinda and the Democratic Republic
    of Congo. It stretched to the southern part of Gabon. The kingdom
    extended to reach the Atlantic Ocean in the west and to the Cuango
    River in the east. Further, it stretched from the Congo River in the north
    to the Kwanza River in the south. The kingdom consisted of several core
    provinces ruled by the ‘Manikongo’, meaning lord or ruler of the Kongo
    Kingdom. However, the Kingdom extended to neighbouring kingdoms

    such as Ngoyo, Kakongo, Nsoyo and Matamba.

    The Kingdom of Kongo largely existed from 1390-1862 as an independent
    state. From 1862-1914, it existed as a vassal state of the Kingdom of
    Portugal. In 1914, the titular monarchy was forcibly abolished, following
    the Portuguese victory against a Kongo revolt. The remaining territories
    of the kingdom were assimilated into colony of Angola (colonized by
    Portugeuse), Belgian Kongo (colonized by Belgians) and French colony
    of Congo. 

    About its origin, the kingdom of Kongo was also known as Kongo dya
    Ntotila or Wene wa Kongo. According to the kongo traditions, the
    kingdom’s origin lies in the very large and not very rich area of Mpemba
    Kasi located just South of modern day Matadi in DRC. The founder of

    Kongo Kingdom was said to be Lukeni Lua Nimi.


    1.3 Factors for the rise of Kongo Kingdom


    Learning activity 1.3.

    1. Explain 3 factors that led to rise of Kongo kingdom
    2. Identify the countries that Kongo trades with.
    3. Discuss how agricultural resources of Kongo have helped it to
    grow.
    Write a report from your findings for class presentation.

    The following are the factors that led to the rise of Kongo Kingdom:
    a) Presence of River Congo.

    The river provided a good fishing ground for the locals. Fish not only
    provided food but also served as a commodity for trade with neighbouring
    communities.

    b) Trade.
    Kongo Kingdom practised trade with its locals and the neighbouring
    states. The items traded included iron implements, slaves, agricultural
    products and handcraft industry products. For instance, people mined
    iron and copper for their use and for trade. They also produced pottery
    and clothing. They traded in these items and the income was used to

    grow and expand the kingdom.

    c) Contributions from vassal states.

    The centre of the Kongo Kingdom was its capital city, Mbanza. From there,
    the Kongo rulers established a highly organised kingdom. The village
    was the basic political unit of the kingdom. A group of villages made up
    a district. Districts were grouped together into six provinces. The king
    required the provinces to pay as tributes to the kingdom. The tributes
    were ivory, fish, minerals and meat used to expand the kingdom.

    d) Availability of minerals.

    The Kingdom of Kongo was rich in minerals such as ivory, copper and iron.
    These items were traded with the Portuguese. The kingdom earned a lot
    of income from the minerals.

    e) Agriculture.

    Agriculture was the basis of production in the Kongo Kingdom. The soil
    was fertile and favoured growth of crops. People cultivated cassava, maize,
    beans and sweet potatoes. The kingdom did not experience serious
    famine. In the villages, land was owned communally. The harvests were
    divided among families, with some set aside for payment of taxes. Towns

    were reliant on forced labour to farm plantations.

    f) Art and craft.

    Many people in the kingdom had skills in pottery and weaving. They made
    pots and pipes and wove fine cloth from barks of some trees. They traded
    these items with the people of Atlantic Ocean in exchange for seashells

    and salt. This helped the kingdom stabilise and rise.

    g) Strong leaders.

    Kongo Kingdom had able, strong and brave leaders who organised the
    kingdom under effective control. The leaders ensured that there was
    peace and prosperity in the kingdom. Some of the notable kings were
    King Afonso and King Alvaro I.

    h) Strong army.

    The kingdom had an army equipped with iron weapons such as spears,
    bowls and iron arrows. The army defended the kingdom and protected
    its boundaries.

    i) Absence of external and internal attacks.

    There were little external threats to the kingdom. This was because the
    neighboring states were weaker than Kongo. The king also had a strong
    army which he commanded. King Alfonso even used the Portuguese
    mercenaries and guns to exert direct control over defense, tribute
    collections and the long-distance trade.



    State at least five factors for the rise of Kongo kingdom. Present your

    findings to the class.

    1.4 Factors for the decline of Kongo Kingdom


    Assess three important factors that led to the decline of Kongo

    Kingdom. Afterwards present your findings to the class

    a) Internal and external conflicts.

    There were significant struggles over succession after Afonso’s death in
    1542 and many times after that. Particularly in 1568, as a result of such a
    struggle, Kongo was temporary conquered by rival warriors from the east
    known as the Jagas. Adding to Kongo’s troubles in the early 1600s was
    a general dissatisfaction among the Bakongo with their rulers, some of
    whom were greedy and corrupt.

    Internal conflicts from time to time became so much common after the
    death of King Antonia in October 1665. The king died without the heir
    apparent. Many of the men who could have taken his place either died
    or were captured, including his seven-year-old son. The ruling house of
    Kinlaza and the opposing house of Kimpanzu fought furiously over the
    throne. This devastating war ended up weakening the kingdom. It took

    40 years to rebuild it.

    b) Civil war in the kingdom.

    After the death of Afonso, Kongo declined rapidly and suffered major civil
    wars. The Portuguese shifted their interest southward to the kingdom of

    Ndongo and helped Ndongo defeat Kongo in 1556.

    c) Effect of the Jaga Wars.

    The Jaga wars, which all but destroyed the Kongo kingdom in 1568,
    brought a Portuguese military invasion. This brought with it a new class of
    self-reliant traders, adventurers and rogues, who established themselves

    in a kingdom which, in their eyes, owed them a debt of gratitude.

    d) Death of able leaders.

    The Kongo Kingdom had several able leaders who had inspired its growth
    and expansion. Death of such leaders caused its decline. Such a leader was
    Alvaro II. After his death in 1614, conflicts arose between Kongo and the
    Portuguese colony of Angola over land that was agriculturally productive.
    Eventually, in 1622, the Portuguese governor of Angola launched an
    attack on Kongo. They captured many slaves from the Kongo Kingdom,
    weakening it in the long run. This was not the end. Due to the conviction
    that there existed silver and gold mines in Kongo, they later launched a

    series of invasions against the Kongo Kingdom for the next half century.

    e) The Ambuila Battle between 1665 and 1678.

    Some neighbouring kingdoms such as Angola, supported by the
    Portuguese, invaded southern Kongo in 1622. Continued disputes between
    Kongo and Portugal over similar areas in the region led to skirmishes
    in the small district of Ambuila, ending up in the Battle of Ambuila on
    29th October 1665. This Battle was mainly over areas where copper was
    being mined in the Kongo Kingdom. The Portuguese invaders killed King

    Antonio I and cut off his hand.

    They transported it to Portugal. Most of his nobles, court officials and 5,000
    Kongolese troops were also killed. Although Kongo continued to exist,
    from this point on, it ceased to function as a unified kingdom. Instead, it

    dissolved into small chiefdoms and never recovered.

    f) Slave trade.

    Slave trade being conducted by the Portuguese was instrumental in
    bringing the kingdom to an inglorious end, as it became depopulated
    by the growing demands for slaves. The Kongo Kingdom has been since
    viewed as being one of the major channels where slaves were picked
    from, which lasted about four centuries. This resulted in the relocation of
    millions from the hinterland. The slave trade, which undermined the social

    structure of Kongo, continued to weaken the authority of the manikong

    g) Integration of the kingdom into the Portuguese colony.

    In 1641, Manikongo Garcia II allied himself with the Dutch in an attempt
    to control Portuguese slave traders. However, in 1665, a Portuguese
    force decisively defeated the army of Kongo. From that time onwards,
    the manikongo was little more than a vassal of Portugal. The kingdom
    disintegrated into a number of small states, all controlled to varying
    degrees by the Portuguese. The area of Kongo was incorporated mostly

    into Angola and partly into the Independent State of the Congo.

    Like any other kingdom in Africa, Kongo did not survive the scramble
    and partition of Africa. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 decided the
    sharing of Kongo Kingdom between three countries. These were France,
    Belgium and Portugal. This marked the end of Kongo Kingdom. Much
    later on, a revolt against Portuguese rule and complicity of the kings led
    by Álvaro Buta between 1913 and 1914 was suppressed. This triggered the
    eventual collapse of the Kongo Kingdom by being fully integrated into

    the Portuguese colony of Angola.

    h) Weak army.

    The Kongolese army became so weak because of internal and external
    attacks that were constant. The Kongolese army mostly relied on
    Portuguese mercenaries who became of little help because of their
    personal demand.

    i) Big size.

    The kingdom of Kongo had become too big to be administered by the
    already weak leaders. The army too was not so strong enough to protect
    and defend the kingdom from internal and external attacks.

    Application Activity 1.4.

    Discuss the factors for the decline of Kongo kingdom. Present in class.

     End of unit assessment 

    1. Discuss the factors that led to the rise and growth of Buganda Kingdom.
    2. Examine the factors that led to the rise of Kongo Kingdom.
    3. Identify the reasons that led to the decline of Kongo Kingdom.