History of Uganda 



The revolt broke out in the Nando district of 

 British East Africa, where Macdonald was about to 

 undertake an expedition into the southern part of 

 the Egyptian Soudan to make a geographical and 

 political reconnaissance for the Foreign Office, and 

 had been ordered to take an escort of Uganda 

 Soudanese soldiers. From the Ravine Station in 

 the Eastern Province, where they were assembled 

 under Macdonald, these men set out for Uganda, 

 Macdonald following in the rear with a force of 

 Zanzibaris. Gallant Major Thruston, relying on his 

 personal influence over his soldiers, with whom he 

 was very popular, risked his life in a heroic attempt 

 to bring them round to their allegiance. He 

 hurried to Luba, on the Ripon falls, to interview 

 the garrison there, but was seized, with his 

 two European companions, and made a prisoner. 

 Macdonald's force now gave battle to the mutineers 

 and defeated them. The Soudanese leaders, wish- 

 ing to commit their followers absolutely, lest they 

 might offer to submit, murdered Thruston and his 

 companions. Macdonald then laid siege to Luba 

 for nearly three months, during which time King 

 Mwanga, who had again bolted and been held a 

 prisoner by the Germans, managed to escape back 

 to Buddu, and was joined by a large following. 

 Things were looking very bad ; but Macdonald, with 

 the aid of the Baganda army, defeated King Mwanga, 

 disarmed his men, and sent them to join the 

 Soudanese garrison at Kampala, whom he had also 

 taken the precaution to disarm, although still loyal. 



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