were partly enlisted as soldiers and partly sent down to
the coast. At the moment of my arrival, Colonel Colvile,
the Commissioner, who had taken over the administration
on behalf of the Imperial Government, had decided to attack
Kabarega. This chief had continued his aggressions on
Uganda, carrying large numbers of its natives into slavery.
To begin the campaign it was decided that Major Owen
should attack Chiccaculi, the nearest and most powerful
of Kabarega’s chiefs. I had met Owen at Ntebe immediately
on my arrival, and subsequently accompanied him
to Kampala, which was then the seat of government;
I obtained from Colonel Colvile permission to follow his
expedition.
Before leaving Kampala I accompanied Colonel Colvile
to an interesting ceremony at the court of King Mwanga.
We went to what I suppose I must call the palace,
with an escort of fifty soldiers. After passing through
a series of very dirty courtyards we reached another,
some 60 feet in diameter, at the end of which was the
audience hall. At its entrance there were, drawn up in
two more or less straight lines, a score of ragged
Waganda. This was Mwanga’s guard of honour. The
audience hall is a large hut, supported by high wooden
pillars, those nearest the King being covered with bark
cloth up to the height of a man. The King was seated
on a throne, which had been presented to him by the East
Africa Company. It was surmounted by a crown, and
decorated with a sun, under which was the slightly
inapposite motto, “ light and liberty.” The floor of the
hall was covered with a thick bed of fine grass, and before
the King was a Turkish carpet. In the old days, before
the advent of “ light and liberty,” any native who had the
misfortune to touch this carpet with his toe was immediately
executed. On the left of His Majesty, on a gilt
chair, was the. principal Katikiro, attired in a fancy
uniform with gold frogs. All round the hall were native
chairs for the principal dignitaries of the kingdom.
4 16
Mwanga is of middle height, with a small beard, and
his countenance does not radiate intelligence. Roguery
is written plainly all over his face, and the addition of
large sensual lips does not enhance the beauty of his
appearance. After the presentations had been made by
Captain Macdonald, the Colonel delivered a short speech:
1 2 . 3 4 5
(1) Capt. Macdonald. (2) Capt. Gibb. (3) Col.' Colvile.
(4) Major Owen. (5) Lieut. Arthur.
m w a n g a ’ s c o u n c il h a l l .
“ I have been sent by the Government to take up the
administration of this country. I come as a friend. I
intend to administer justice with the greatest impartiality,
whether it concerns Catholics, Protestants, or those who
belong to the old religion, the highest in the kingdom”
(here Mwanga did not look up) “ or the lowest. I hope
that the Kabaka (King) will do all he can to aid me in
my task.” Mwanga replied, “ It is well ; I am satisfied.”
After discussing several subjects of no importance we
retired. Before we went away the Colonel gave His
2 E 4 1 7