King Mwanga II of Buganda (1884-1897)

 King Mwanga II was the last monarch of the Kingdom of Buganda in present-day Uganda, and his reign was marked by political instability, conflict, and religious tension. He ruled from 1884 until 1897, and his reign was characterized by struggles for power and control over the kingdom.

Mwanga was born in 1868, the son of King Mutesa I of Buganda. When Mutesa I died in 1884, there was a power struggle over the succession. Mwanga was only 16 years old at the time, and many of the traditional chiefs believed that he was too young and inexperienced to rule the kingdom. However, Mwanga's mother, Queen Namasole, supported him, and with the help of some loyal chiefs, Mwanga was able to ascend to the throne.

Mwanga's reign was marked by tension between the traditionalists and the modernists in Buganda society. The traditionalists, who were led by the Katikiro (prime minister) Mukasa, were opposed to the influence of the Christian missionaries who had begun to arrive in Buganda in the 1870s. The modernists, who were led by a group of young courtiers known as the "young Turks," saw the missionaries as a way to gain access to Western technology and knowledge.

The conflict between the traditionalists and the modernists came to a head in 1885, when Mwanga ordered the execution of several Christian converts, including the newly arrived bishop of the Anglican Church, James Hannington. This act of violence led to a series of reprisals by the British, who were becoming increasingly involved in the affairs of Buganda. In 1890, the British declared a protectorate over Buganda, effectively ending the kingdom's independence.

The arrival of the British also brought about a new level of political maneuvering within Buganda society. Mwanga was forced to balance the interests of the British, the traditionalists, and the modernists, all of whom were vying for power and influence. This delicate balance was upset in 1888, when Mwanga was deposed by a group of chiefs who were opposed to his pro-Christian policies.

Mwanga fled to the neighboring kingdom of Bunyoro, where he sought the support of the king, Kabalega. However, Kabalega was also opposed to the British, and he saw Mwanga as a potential ally in his own struggles against colonialism. In 1890, Mwanga returned to Buganda with a force of Bunyoro soldiers, and he was able to regain his throne.

Mwanga's second reign was marked by continued conflict and instability. The British were becoming increasingly involved in Buganda politics, and they were supporting the modernists in their efforts to gain power. Mwanga was also facing opposition from traditionalists who were unhappy with his pro-British policies.

In 1892, Mwanga attempted to rid himself of his British advisors by ordering the execution of several of them, including the British consul, Frederick Lugard. This act of violence led to the British declaring war on Buganda, and Mwanga was forced to flee once again. He spent the next several years in exile, moving between various kingdoms in the region and attempting to gain support for his cause.

In 1897, Mwanga returned to Buganda once again, this time with the support of the Germans, who were seeking to expand their own colonial interests in the region. Mwanga was able to regain his throne, but his reign was short-lived. In 1899, the British declared a protectorate over Buganda once again, and Mwanga was forced to flee the kingdom for the final time.