Buganda Kingdom Administrative

Structure since Pre-Historic times

The Baganda had a centralised system of government which by 1750 was the most well
organised in the interlacustrine region.

The head of the state was the king known as Kabaka. Previously the Bataka had a lot of
political influence. They enjoyed a position almost simlilar to that of Kabaka.

However after 175O, the Kabaka assumed a position of political importance far superior
to the ranks of the Bataka. The Kabaka's position was hereditary but it was not confined
to any one clan because the king would take the clan of his mother. The Kabaka used to
marry from as many clans as possible and this encouraged loyalty to the throne in the
sense that each of the fifty-two clans hoped that it would one day produce the king.

The other persons who occupied positions of political and social importance were: the
Prime Minister known as the Katikiro, the Mugema, the royal sister known as Nalinya,
the Queen mother known as Namasole and the Naval and Army commanders referred to
as Gabunga and Mujasi respectively.

The kingdom was divided into administrative units known as Amasaza (counties) which
were further sub-divided into Amagombolola (sub-counties), and these were sub-divided
into parishes called Emiruka which were subdivided into sub-parishes. The smallest unit
was known as Bukungu which was more or less a village unit. All the chiefs at all levels
were appointed by the Kabaka and they were directly responsible to him. He could
appoint or dismiss any chief at will. After 1750, chieftainship was no longer hereditary.
Chieftainship was accorded on clan basis but only to men of merit and distinguished
service.

Masood Ssekalema

New Buganda Journal, Vol IV 2009