The Namirembe Agreement, also known as the Uganda Agreement of 1900, was a pivotal event in the history of Buganda, a kingdom located in modern-day Uganda. The agreement had significant implications for the relations between the British colonial government and the Buganda kingdom, and it is still widely studied and debated today.
One of the key questions that often comes up when discussing the Namirembe Agreement is: who signed it on behalf of Buganda? The answer to this question is not straightforward, as there were several individuals involved in the negotiations and signing of the agreement.
To understand the signing of the Namirembe Agreement, it is important to have some background information on the context of the negotiations. In the late 19th century, the British had established a colonial presence in Uganda and were keen to secure control over the different kingdoms in the region. The Buganda kingdom was a powerful and influential entity, and the British sought to establish a treaty with Buganda that would solidify their relationship and ensure continued cooperation.
In 1894, the British established a protectorate over Buganda, which gave them some control over the kingdom`s affairs but also recognized the authority of the Buganda king, or kabaka. However, tensions between the British and the Buganda kingdom continued to simmer, and in 1897, the British issued a set of demands that were seen as threatening to Buganda`s autonomy.
In response to these demands, the kabaka of Buganda, Daudi Chwa II, sent a delegation to London to negotiate a new treaty with the British. The delegation was led by Apollo Kagwa, who was the katikkiro, or prime minister, of Buganda. Kagwa was a highly educated and influential figure in Buganda, and he had the trust and respect of the kabaka.
The negotiations in London were long and arduous, but eventually, the two sides came to an agreement that was signed on June 26, 1900. The signing took place at Namirembe, a hill in Kampala that was considered a sacred site by the Buganda people.
According to historical records, the signing of the Namirembe Agreement was attended by several individuals from both the British and Buganda sides. On the British side, the signatories were Sir Harry Johnston, who was the British commissioner for Uganda, and Robert Coryndon, who was the acting administrator of the Uganda Protectorate.
On the Buganda side, the signatories were Apollo Kagwa, who signed as the katikkiro, and Semei Kakungulu, who signed as the mutongole, or chief of the Baganda army. The kabaka, Daudi Chwa II, did not sign the agreement himself, but his consent was implied through the signing by his prime minister and army chief.
It is worth noting that there were other important figures involved in the negotiations and signing of the Namirembe Agreement, including Erisa Kakungulu, who was a prominent Buganda leader and ally of Kagwa. However, the four individuals mentioned above are generally considered the key signatories of the agreement.
In conclusion, the signing of the Namirembe Agreement was a complex and significant event in the history of Buganda and Uganda. While there were several individuals involved in the negotiations and signing, the main Buganda signatories were Apollo Kagwa and Semei Kakungulu, who signed on behalf of the kabaka and the kingdom as a whole. Understanding who signed the agreement is essential to understanding its historical importance and relevance to contemporary discussions around governance, sovereignty, and colonialism in Africa.