POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF BUGANDA KINGDOM

• Buganda had a highly centralized system of administration.
• The Kabaka was the head of the Kingdom with absolute powers e.g. Kabaka could appoint, promote, demote and dismiss his chiefs.

• The Kabaka’s powers were hereditary and leadership was passed on to his elder son.
• The Kabaka was assisted by 3 prominent chiefs i.e. Chief Justice (Omulamuzi), Treasurer (Omuwanika) and the Prime minister (Katikiro).
• The Kingdom was subdivided into counties (Ssazas), sub-counties (Gombolola), parish (Muluka), sub-parish (Ekitongole) and village (Kyalo).
• Each of these was led by a chief for effective administration.
• The Chiefs were supposed to mobilize people for public works e.g. construction of roads.
• Buganda had a legislative council called Lukiiko (parliament) which was to formulate laws and advise the Kabaka.

• The Kabaka had royal body guards called Abambowa and these were charged with protecting the Kabaka at his palace and on journeys and functions.
• The Kabaka received gifts from his subjects and chiefs as a sign of loyalty and in return they would be rewarded with large chunks of land.

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