The Buganda Agreement of 1900 marked an important milestone in the history of Uganda. The agreement, signed between the British colonial administration and the Kingdom of Buganda, established a framework for the relationship between the two entities. However, one of the lesser-known details of the agreement is who actually signed it on behalf of the British.
At the time of the signing of the Buganda Agreement, the British were represented by a number of officials. However, the man tasked with signing the agreement on behalf of the British was Sir Harry Johnston.
Johnston was a British explorer, colonial administrator, and diplomat who served as the British Commissioner for Uganda from 1899 to 1901. He was known for his work in mapping the African continent and for his efforts to establish British dominance over the region.
As the British representative in Uganda, Johnston was responsible for negotiating the terms of the Buganda Agreement with the Kingdom of Buganda. Over the course of several months, he met with Bugandan officials and worked to address their concerns and interests.
On 10 August 1900, Johnston and a number of Bugandan officials gathered in Mengo, the capital of the Buganda Kingdom, to sign the agreement. Johnston signed on behalf of the British, while the agreement was signed by a number of Bugandan officials, including Kabaka Daudi Chwa II, the King of Buganda.
The Buganda Agreement of 1900 was an important document in the history of Uganda and marked a significant shift in the relationship between the British colonial administration and the Buganda Kingdom. Although many details of the agreement have been debated over the years, the role of Sir Harry Johnston in negotiating and signing the agreement on behalf of the British is clear.