Influence of British rule on Uganda as a nation.

Uganda as a protectorate extended up to the rift valley in the East and up to Gondokoro in Southern Sudan in the North. It also extended to the Western rift valley and West Nile.

 

The coming of Europeans and most especially the British was of great benefit to Uganda as a British Protectorate, as follows Introduction of western system of education.

 

The people were taught reading, writing, arithmetic and practical skills such as carpentry. Building hospitals and promotion of health education which led to prevention and spread of diseases. Change in clothing improved on the standard of living for the natives who used to wear a traditional dress known as bark cloth.

 

Changes in religion, Christianity replaced some traditional ways of belief. Many people were converted and started changing their ways of worship. Many local people practiced British cultures. For example playing games such as football, cricket, Badminton, Rugby and many others.

Administrative systems that existed during British rule.
The British mainly used two types of administrative systems. These were; direct and indirect rule. Direct rule was the system of administration where the British governed their colonies by themselves.

Disadvantages of this system.

It promoted many rebellions and hatred towards the colonial masters since they did not know how to deal with Africans.

Native rulers lost their power and authority. The kings and local chiefs could not make decisions or policies without the knowledge of the colonialists.

Another system of administration was indirect rule that was spread by Captain Fredrick Lugard. Under this system kings and chiefs ruled their people on behalf of the British governors.

Countries that were under British administration were either called protectorates or colonies.

A colony is a territory ruled by another country. A protectorate is an independent territory that is protected by another country in order to protect its interests.

The two administrative systems that were applied by the British each had advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Indirect rule.

It did not interfere with administrative practices of the natives.

The kings and chiefs still had some powers over their people and kingdoms. Language was not a big problem since people were being governed by the chiefs, who knew the local language.

This made it easier for the people to carry out the government programmes.

Local leaders learnt new methods of administration.

They learnt better ways of managing society. The number of local leaders was enough that made it easy for them to do their activities effectively.

Disadvantages of Indirect rule. 

Native leaders lost total control over their territories as they were never trusted by the colonial governors.

Native leaders were not given full powers to administer.

They could not make decisions without approval from the governors. There was division between the people who supported and those who opposed British rule.

Activity
1. Imagine that you are selling a piece of land. Write an agreement showing that you have sold a piece land to your neighbour. 

2. Group work, why did the British sign agreement with Toro?