ENDORSEMENT
The Basoga ‘Fine Pencils in God’s Hand: Lessons for Posterity’ as narrated in “The History of Busoga” was meticulously written by the Great Y.K Lubogo (Esq- Commander of the British Empire-CBE) approximately one hundred years ago. Y.k Lubogo, who is believed to have been born unofficially in 1869: some people allege that at the time he died, he had reached a very ripe age of one hundred and twenty years. Others on the other hand claim that he died at the age of 95 years. Be as it may, what is written by Y.K transcends time. It is indeed a history of the incredible people of Busoga from a long time ago, a credible and delightful guide, full of important information for those who want to enjoy companionship with the people of Busoga. “Fine Pencils in God’s Hands.”
certain and truly portrays Y.K. as a very authoritative figure both in both the public and cultural domains. He was highly learned considering the times and was hence very instrumental in the forming and forging the Busoga kingdom as we know it today. Therefore what Y.K writes is living history stretching back to over one hundred years old narrated by a man who lived and saw the evolution of incredible Busoga. For starters, among the nonkingdom Bantu, the Basoga are surrounded by water bodies with River Nile to the west, Lake Victoria to the south, River Mpologoma to the east and Lake Kyoga to the north.
The Basoga lived as farmers under circumstances akin to those of the Baganda neighbours to the west. Although Busoga had no central authority at the advent of the British rule, she had developed small principalities, each with its own hereditary ruler. Later she consolidated her central authority acquired a king ruler, the “ISEBANTU KYABAZINGA”, and imitated the kingdoms in matters of government. Busoga became part of Uganda. In 1894 Berkeley’s was granted authority from England to add Toro, Ankole, Bunyoro and Busoga to the Protectorate of Uganda which originally comprised of Buganda only. In the nonmonarchical society, such as the pre-colonial Basoga principalities, a council of elders wielded the powers of the supreme chief in chiefly societies mainly because they had equal recognition for the place and function of authority in society and recognised central authority.
Grace Ibingira, in his book “The forging of an African Nation”, argues that indirect rule (call it decentralisation) provided a comparatively attractive method of governing indigenous tribes, and thus could not be open to serious challenge.