In today’s episode, we talk about the military of the pre-colonial African kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara.
For most of its history, Bunyoro did not have a standing army. Instead, they relied on the common man to take up arms when called upon by his chiefs. These armies were called Obwesengeze.
That was until the 1870s when Kabaleega created the Abarusura army, a force dedicated to the protection of the state.
The army was led by several commanders such as Rwabudongo, Ireeta, Kikukule, Nyakamatura and Byabachwezi.
Enjoy the episode!!
Sources
Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereigns’ Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016), p208 - 210
G.N. Uzoigwe, Revolution and Revolt in Bunyoro- Kitara (Kampala, Longman Uganda, 1970)
Shane Doyle, Crisis & Decline in Bunyoro; Population & Environment in Western Uganda 1860 - 1955, (Kampala: Fountain Publishers, 2006) p 42 - 61
J.W. Nyakatura, Anatomy of an African Kingdom (New York: Nok Publishers, 1973) p 138 -153
Edward I. Steinhart, Conflict and Collaboration, The Kingdoms of Western Uganda 1890-1907(New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1977)
Albert Bushnell Lloyd, Uganda to Khartoum: Life and Adventure on the Upper Nile (T. Fisher Unwin, 1906) pg 33
Sir Samuel Baker, Ismailïa: A Narrative of the Expedition to Central Africa for the suppression of Slave Trade (London: Macmillian and CO, 1879) pg 377
Sir Samuel Baker, The Albert-nyanza, Great Basin Of The Nile And Explorations Of The Nile Sources (Outlook Verlag, 2019 ) pg 229 (Reproduction)
Chris Peers, East Africa: Tribal and Imperial Armies in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, 1800 to 1900: East Africa - Tribal and Imperial Armies in Uganda, Kenya, ... to 1900 (Armies of the Nineteenth Century), ( Foundry, 2004) pg 40-51.
Sound used
Pyscho dog man news video
Burundi war drums
Nsiriba ya Munange Katego (Sound of Africa series)
GTA Type beat (prod XNOVA)