of Edinburgh, Session 1885 - 86 . 743 
around by the strains of a harp and the song of a musician in 
attendance. 
There is no real taxation in Uganda, but the people are compelled 
to render feudal service to all their superiors. Requisitions may 
be made on them for all kinds of produce. All the chiefs are judges, 
and although they have no written laws they manage to administer 
them in a satisfactory manner. There is a right of appeal from the 
Batongoli to that of the mkungu of the district ; from him to the 
katikiro, and finally to the king sitting in council. The katikiro 
sits in the judgment seat almost every day from seven to nine. If 
a man is charged with any offence, he and his accuser must appear 
before the judge ; they can both call witnesses and argue their cause 
in person, but the judge alone has the right to cross-examine witnesses. 
Laws — (A) Land . — The land does not all belong to the chiefs 
although they possess large tracts in their several districts. Anyone 
may acquire land, either by annexing a piece of unoccupied property 
or by purchase. Even head slaves are not debarred from this 
privilege. At a man’s death the land descends to his sons, the 
eldest son, however, coming in for rather the largest share. 
Daughters do not inherit land ; there is no law, however, to prevent 
a woman from acquiring it, and some of the witches do in fact 
possess land of their own. By law an infant may inherit land, but 
if very young he stands little chance of possessing it, unless he 
belongs to the family of one of the big chiefs. Disputes as to the 
possession of land are settled by the judges, the final decision 
resting with the king in council, 
(B) Game . — Game is not preserved. (For the only customs 
regarding it see Hunting.) 
(C) Administration of Justice . — The courts held are conducted in 
a very orderly manner. There is no difference between civil and 
criminal procedure. The accuser and accused must always be present 
in person. Torture is not practised on uncondemned persons. 
(D) Punishments . — Punishments are inflicted by order of the 
judge, and are executed by regular executioners, or the judge may 
appoint any of the bystanders to carry out his orders. At the 
capital the king has a regular army of executioners. They are 
known by their insignia of office, which is a fringe mask and a coil 
of rope worn as a turban. 
