Mwanga II of Buganda

A 19th-century African king who resisted British colonialism through strategic alliances and cultural preservation

Kabaka Mwanga II (1868–1923) was the king of Buganda (present-day Uganda) whose reign (1884–1888, 1910–1923) became a pivotal moment in African resistance to colonialism. Facing British imperialism, Mwanga initially resisted Christian missionaries' influence by executing converts in 1886, an act that paradoxically galvanized missionary support for his uncle's rebellion. After being deposed by British-backed rebels, he spent 17 years in exile but returned to negotiate a unique 1900 treaty preserving Buganda's semi-autonomy. His cultural preservation efforts included protecting traditional regalia and oral histories, while adopting modern infrastructure like the Lubaga Hospital. Mwanga's dual legacy - harsh ruler and pragmatic statesman - shows how African leaders navigated colonial pressures. His 1919 establishment of the Abataka advisory council preserved indigenous governance structures, influencing later anti-colonial movements. Though often overshadowed by figures like Samori Ture, Mwanga's tactical diplomacy and cultural stewardship made him a complex pioneer in African self-determination.