The Rise of Our East African Empire (1893) by Lord Frederick J.D. Lugard

Author:Lord Frederick J.D. Lugard [Lugard, Lord Frederick J.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General
ISBN: 9781134707775
Google: wEPFBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-10-28T01:19:34+00:00

CHAPTER XXIV.

DIFFICULTIES IN UGANDA.

Captain Williams, R.A. “Zanzibari Lev.”—Stokes arrives—His powder and arms—Disputes reopened—Previous participation in politics of French and English missionaries — Results — People accustomed to despotism—Wa-Fransa—Wa-Ingleza—Missionaries partisans—Chronic difficulties re shambas—Statute-book—Division of Sessé—Real significance—Our cordiality with chiefs—Quarrel in baraza—Private conference with Mwanga—Factions prepare for war—Settlement by night —Peace, and Mwanga’s gratitude—Outrage in Chagwé—War again averted—Arrival of French bishop—Unsatisfactory interview—Influence of Mujasi with priests.

CAPTAIN W. H. WILLIAMS, R.A., who now joined me, was a typical specimen of the best class of British officer. Though he had come to Uganda as my second* in command, he was, in point of fact, senior to me by two months as a captain, and over a year in the date of his first commission. He had long commanded his battery, and had thrown up an appointment as adjutant of Artillery to accompany Sir F. De Winton. He was a keen soldier, whose interests lay entirely in his profession, and, unlike myself, he came to Africa mainly with a view of gaining experience which would be useful to him as a soldier. He spoke Turkish and French, and had acquired a colloquial knowledge of Arabic. Having enlisted the Sudanese in Egypt for the Imperial British East African Company, he naturally looked on them as his especial charge, and what little drill and discipline had been instilled into them, was due to his untiring energy in Mombasa, during the one month they were under him, before the company who joined my expedition had left. It was now arranged that, being all reunited, they should be under his command, and he began to drill and discipline them—to adjust their accounts, and supervise their clothing and interior economy; and in a wonderfully short time the improvement in their smartness and general turn-out was most marked. He began to teach them a rough skirmishing drill,—advancing in loose fighting formation through the long grass and dense banana-plantations, working by bugle-sounds, and attacking an imaginary position.

I also determined to strengthen our fighting force by selecting the best of our Zanzibaris, striking them off all porters’ work, and converting them for the time, at least, into two companies, under their own non-commissioned officers. These companies numbered some seventy each (all ranks), and were called “the Zanzibari Levy.” They wore a short jacket (shaped like a jersey, and pulled on over the head) and a white loincloth. The red company had a patch of scarlet cloth, a foot square, between the shoulders, and red cuffs; the blue company had a similar distinction in blue. Under Williams’ indefatigable tuition, and with the advantage of having the Sudanese to imitate, they very rapidly developed into a most serviceable body of men, and took a great pride in keeping themselves clean and smart; and we did all in our power to inculcate the idea that their position was superior to that of the porters, and that it was an honour to be selected for the Levy. Grant, meanwhile, had the safari—viz., the porter and caravan establishment—under his more especial charge, while De Winton devoted his time to the building and daily work.

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