WHEN FAMINE RAVAGED BUNYORO FOR 30 YEARS, 1893-1933

For three decades, at least five waves of famine hit Bunyoro with tragic consequences.

These famines, which occurred between 1893 and 1933, were largely caused by the devastating effects of British colonial invasion, military conquest, and subsequent socio-economic disruption, rather than solely by natural climate events.

The period, particularly the 1890s, saw massive population decline, the destruction of agriculture, and the loss of cattle, resulting in widespread hunger and starvation.

Continued food shortages occurred due to the collapse of the traditional agricultural system, the loss of livestock to rinderpest, and the introduction of new diseases.

Causes of the famines

British invasion and resistance: The war of conquest against Omukama Kabaleega (1893-1899) broke down the social and economic order.

Destruction of resources: Using a "scorched-earth policy, the British and their Baganda and Nubian mercenaries burned crops and looted cattle, leading to a near-total loss of livestock by 1899.

Loss of territory: Large, productive parts of Bunyoro were given to Buganda, Tooro, Ankole and Belgian Congo, shrinking the kingdom’s food production base.

Disease: The loss of cattle was compounded by diseases like rinderpest, which devastated herds.

These crises contributed to a severe demographic collapse, reducing the population from an estimated 2.5 million (pre-invasion) to roughly 100,000-400,000 in the early 20th century.

Key famines

Kyomudaaki, Igoora, Kabbakuli and Zimyetaara were the major famines that ravaged Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom during the British effort to dismantle the resistance led by Kabaleega.

1) KYOMUDAAKI, 1898-1900

Introduction

Kyomudaaki famine, which occurred in Bunyoro between roughly 1898 and 1900, was a catastrophic, man-made humanitarian crisis that resulted from the brutal British colonial conquest of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom.

It marked the climax of a period of rapid depopulation and systemic destruction of the kingdom's social and economic infrastructure, following the invasion by British forces and their Baganda allies in 1893.

Name and significance

The term "Kyomudaaki" translates to "of the German", perhaps from the root word "Deutsche, a generic word for German (pronounced as Daaci).

This distinction is important to clarify the difference between the Germans and the Dutch (people of Holland), who would ideally be the Badaaki in my local-speak.

Literally, "of the Mzungu" (white man), Kyomudaaki referred specifically to the colonial origin of the hunger.

In Africa, as is the case elsewhere, Germans best associated with causing the two world wars.

Since World War I (1914-18) I'd the nearest to this famine, it is not be wrong to imagine how widespread and long-lasting the food crisis was.

Nature of the famine

A "weapon of war": The famine was not simply a natural disaster but a deliberate, calculated military strategy initiated by Colonel Henry Colville in 1894 to destroy the resistance of the Banyoro, led by Omukama Kabaleega.

Systemic looting and destruction: British and Baganda forces systematically looted cattle, destroyed crops, and burned granaries, reducing the populace to extreme starvation.

"Lost Counties" impact: Southern regions (Buyaga, Bugangaizi, Buheekura, and Isingo) were particularly devastated, being looted multiple times and eventually transferred to Buganda, leaving the inhabitants landless.

Synergistic with disease: The hunger occurred alongside, and was intensified by, widespread disease, including sleeping sickness, smallpox, and syphilis, which spread rapidly due to the breakdown of social order.

Extent of the famine

High mortality rate: The famine, combined with the war and subsequent diseases, resulted in "thousands" dying of hunger.

Severe depopulation: Evidence suggests the population of Bunyoro was decimated, falling from an estimated 2.5 million (or at least being more populous than Buganda in 1893) to a mere 400,000, with some estimates citing remnants as low as 100,000.

Ecological and social ruin: By 1899, the kingdom was largely depopulated and overrun by disease-bearing insects and game.

Missionary Fisher recorded "poverty and starvation" on all sides in 1899.

Societal collapse: The famine was so severe that women and girls, whose husbands had been killed in the war, were reported to have "sold their honour" for a mere handful of grain.

Long-term demographic impact: The combination of the famine and subsequent colonial policies led to 40 years of a death rate exceeding the birth rate, transforming the kingdom into a "lonely wild".

The Kyomudaaki famine effectively broke the military spirit of the Banyoro and led to the collapse of the Kingdom's traditional economic structure.

2) KABBAKULI

The Kabbakuli famine (often identified within the broader context of 1900-1939 famines in Bunyoro-Kitara) was a devastating food crisis that ravaged the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom during the early years of British colonial rule, particularly impacting the region after the defeat of Omukama Kabaleega in 1899.

Kabbakuli, literally a (begging) bowl", saw hordes of Banyoro move around begging for food.

Thus, the famine was a food crisis characterided by poverty and malnutrition.

Like the other famines, Kabbakuli was not merely a natural disaster but a direct consequence of the disruption of the social, economic, and agricultural systems caused by British military occupation, looting, and subsequent forced administrative changes.

Historical context and causes

Destruction of production: Before the British invasion in the 1890s, Bunyoro was a prosperous, densely populated kingdom.

Seven years of intense military resistance against British occupation led to the abandonment of farms, the burning of crops, and the looting of livestock, which crippled food production.

Colonial policies: The British colonial administration implemented policies that forced residents off their land.

Large areas of fertile land were designated as game and forest reserves, and people were restricted in their agricultural activities.

Forced labour and cash crops The colonial state prioritised the growing of cash crops like tobacco over food crops, leading to a shortage of food for local consumption.

They also introduced Oruharo (free labour) and Akasanju (forced labour), which undermined productivity and food security.

Depopulation and disease The war and subsequent famine (1900-1939) were accompanied by, and worsened by, epidemics of sleeping sickness and venereal diseases (syphilis), which ravaged the weakened population.

The population of Bunyoro was estimated to have dropped significantly, with some records indicating a reduction to roughly a fourth of its original size within four years of British rule.

Impact on society

Severe shortage: Kabbakuli resulted in widespread starvation and forced many, particularly women whose husbands had been killed in the war, to offer sex in exchange for meagre amounts of food.

Ecological changes: The depopulation allowed wildlife to take over previously cultivated land, further complicating efforts to rebuild the agricultural economy.

Social disintegration: The traditional social order broke down under the pressure of colonial rule, high taxes, and the inability of the community to sustain itself.

During the Kabbakuli famine the kingdom suffered severe demographic, social, and economic decline following the loss of its sovereignty and territorial integrity to the British.

The crucial event was the invasion of Bunyoro by British forces in 1893.

By 1899, when her resistance was finally broken, much of Bunyoro's best rangeland had been gazetted as forest and wild game reserves.

3) ZIMYETAARA

Zimyetaara ravaged Bunyoro in 1907 or thereabouts as a direct consequence of British colonial invasion, military occupation, and subsequent socio-economic disruption.

The famine derived its name from the scarcity of food, which forced the formally hospitable and generous society to become mean and stingy as a way of survival.

When supper was ready, they would "kuzimya etaara " (literally, to blow out the wicked candle (etaara) - or switch off the light - so that hungry visitors, or anyone lurking outside, would not see the family at table.

Suffice to say, the Zimyetaara period, often characterised by the collapse of Bunyoro's societal structures, saw massive population decline due to hunger, war, and disease.

Key aspects of the famine and historical context:

Causes (Colonial invasion and warfare): Zimyetaara was primarily caused by the British invasion (starting in 1893) and the seven-year war against Omukama Kabaleega.

The British, with assistance from Baganda and Sudanese mercenaries, employed a strategy of burning homes, looting livestock, and destroying crops to crush the resistance of the Abaruusura (Kabaleega's army).

The "Lost Counties" and displacement: Large, fertile areas of Bunyoro (Buyaga, Bugangaizi - just to mention two) were detached and given to Buganda, causing massive displacement of the population.

Destruction of infrastructure: The war destroyed the cattle-based economy and agriculture.

By 1899, the population was severely reduced, and the remaining people were unable to maintain food production.

As follow-up famines to Kyamudaaki, Zimyetaara and others, were compounded by the introduction of diseases, such as the venereal syphilis epidemic that plagued the region for over 40 years.

Zimyetaara represented a complete, deliberate destruction of the food security system of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom by colonial forces.

4) KIROOMERE

Breaking out in 1909 the Kiroomere f(literally, "widespread") famine (often referred to in historical texts as part of a series of famines following the "breaking" of the kingdom) was a period of severe food shortage and demographic crisis in the Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom.

Like other famines, Kiroomere resulted from a combination of British colonial military occupation, the destruction of the agricultural base, and the spread of disease.

Key aspects of the crisis

Colonial invasion and disruptions (1890s-1900s): Before the British invasion led by Col Colville in 1893, Bunyoro was described as a densely populated, wealthy, and agriculturally productive kingdom.

The military campaign to subdue Omukama Kabaleega destroyed this, causing a complete breakdown of the social and economic order.

Causes of famine: The famine was not merely environmental. It was caused by the displacement of people, the burning of crops, and the seizure of livestock by colonial forces.

The loss of cattle was particularly critical, as it decimated the local food supply and destroyed traditional economic security.

Demographic collapse: Following Kiroomere, the population of Bunyoro was dramatically reduced - estimates suggest it fell to a fraction of its pre-colonial size (some records.

Disease epidemics: Kiroomere was accompanied by outbreaks of disease, including syphilis and sleeping sickness, which further crippled the population, resulting in a four-decade period of severe demographic decline.

Long-term impact: The Kiroomere period, and the subsequent famines, led to long-term malnutrition and low population recovery in Bunyoro throughout the colonial period.

The famine is remembered within Bunyoro history as a tragic event highlighting the brutal impact of colonialism and the resistance of Omukama Kabaleega.

5) IGOORA

Igoora, loosely translated as "It stretches" or it ematiates", was a severe famine that ravaged Bunyoro in the first decade of the 30th Century.

As the name suggests, the famine led to widespread, severe malnutrition and starvation of people.

Often mistaken with Kyomudaaki, Igoora wrecked havoc on the Banyoro idue to colonial reorganisation, which destroyed traditional food supplies and forced agricultural changes.

Causes

The British invasion of 1893-1899 broke local resistance, causing depopulation, the transfer of grazing lands, and the spread of disease-bearing pests.

Impact: Colonial policies disrupted the existing, often self-sufficient, agricultural system, leading to high infant mortality and general physical weakness in the population.

Context: The early 20th century in Bunyoro was marked by crisis and decline, changing how food was produced.

It is important to note that more historical research is required to specifically identify "Igoora", and all the other famines, as food security crises.

CURRENT SITUATION

The colonial-era crisis not withstanding, the food crisis in post-colonial Bunyoro has continued, albeit on a lower proportion, driven by structural changes, low fertility, and political turmoil in the 1960s/70s, causing severe malnutrition.

Political instability (1960s-1970s): Following independence, the abolishment of the kingdom in 1967 and the subsequent political chaos under the Amin regime (1971-1979) severely disrupted agriculture and food distribution, leading to further food insecurity.

By 1980, the lingering effects of the colonial ecological disaster, combined with post-independence political instability, left the region prone to food shortages, although traditional reliance on crops like bananas provided some subsistence..

Political stability, 1986-to-date

To-date, the region has experienced mini-famines or acute food shortages, albeit intermittently.

CONCLUSION

The importance of food security should not be underestimated. It would be an oversight to be lulled by the prevailing relative peace and security.

As the Banyoro are wont to say, Ayatemerweho enjoka, obu arora omunya ayebairuka.

Don't worry about my vernacular - it's about someone who has ever been bitten by a snake cringing upon the sight of a lizard.

By Isaac Kalembe Akiiki