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Describe the economic organization of the Buganda kingdom

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Buganda was predominantly agricultural. The existence of fertile soils plus abundant rainfall enabled the Buganda to cultivate a variety of crops. Matoke was their basic food. Other crops grown included maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and beans.

There kept some cattle, sheep, and goats but on small scale. The maintenance of food was an activity meant for women. This arrangement enabled men to have an opportunity to engage themselves in other activities like trade and raiding.

The kingdom had skilled artisans in the art of bark cloth making. The kabaka got some skilled men to train his trustees at the palace in iron smelting. Consequently, the trustees took up the art and iron smelting industry which became stronger in Buganda and later provided the items of trade. At the beginning of colonialism, Buganda economy was characterized by inter state trade.

Buganda also traded with lakeshore people of Buvuma and Ssese island for fish. It should be noted that the exchange of these items at this time was by barter system of trade.
They were also long distance trade. Buganda had established close ties with Arabs and through this she acquired arms and ammunitions. Other items were cloth, beads and glass ware materials which were exchanged for Ivory and slaves from the interior. Buganda also had established strong trading centers where she taxed traders in Long Distance Trade crossing her territory.

War booty, minerals and tributes also formed another important revenue source for the kingdom. After the acquisition of arms and ammunitions which Buganda actually monopolised she embarked on organising raids and wars against the neigbours. With the
raids locally referred to as "Entabaalo", Buganda looted cattle, iron works and beautiful
women from their neighbours. Moreover, the successful war conquests led to the acquisition of Buddu and Koki which were important sources of wealth in Buganda.

In addition Buganda could obtain tributes from conquered states such as Busoga, Bukedi etc which they paid regularly as a sign of loyalty to the kabaka.

Note that all wealth obtained from the kingdom was under the close supervision of the king. With a centralised economy blessed with effective central government, Buganda became a very prosperous kingdom in the interlucastrine region.

Irene Linah answered the question on June 10, 2018 at 05:26

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Describe the economic organization of the Buganda kingdom

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