IV 
ISLANDS OF THE VICTORIA NYANZA 45 
of Busoga, near Napoleon Gulf. The three largest 
islands in this group are Buvuma, Bugaya, and Busiri. 
Buvunia,.the largest of these islands, is of irregular 
shape and seems to be made up of peninsulas. It has 
an area of about 170 square miles and is larger than 
the Isle of Wight. It contains high hills in its central 
parts, some of which are 500 or 600 feet above the 
level of the lake. The hillsides are covered with 
forests, and there are grassy uplands which afford 
excellent pasture for cattle. Until devastated by the 
sleeping-sickness it contained a large population in 
many villages which were surrounded by excellent 
gardens and plantations. The natives, known as 
^Wuma, are excellent agriculturists, growing millet, 
maize, sweet potatoes, and bananas : the surplus grain 
they stored in granaries which resemble miniature huts. 
They are skilful fishermen and like the Basesse build 
excellent boats and are extremely expert in their use, 
take to the water from childhood and swim admirably. 
They make their own cord and ropes from fibre obtained 
from the aloe; and manufacture their own pottery. 
The Wavuma do not differ much in appearance from 
the Baganda, but for a century or more there existed 
a feud between them and the natives of Uganda. 
The Kings of Uganda have tried in vain to subdue the 
Wavuma : as they refused to accept Christianity and 
had been a thorn in the side of the Baganda, Mutesa 
resolved to subjugate the islands in 1875. At this time 
the relations between Uganda and Buvuma resembled 
those which prevailed in the time of Queen Elizabeth 
between the Empire of Spain and England. At this 
time H. M. Stanley was staying in Uganda and he has 
described the fighting force with which Mutesa 
attempted to conquer the Wavuma. It consisted of a 
fleet of 230 war boats, and an army estimated at 
150,000 fighting men. The Wavuma had a fleet equal 
to the Baganda, but their warriors (slingers and spear¬ 
men) amounted to a fifth of Mutesa s force. The 
