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The kabaka is the title for the king of Buganda, a powerful kingdom in East Africa located in present-day south-central Uganda. Founded in the late 14th century, Buganda grew to become the largest and most influential kingdom in the region by the 19th century, largely due to a succession of capable rulers.123

The kabaka held strong centralized control, with local chiefs serving as personal appointees and a sizable army at his disposal. Foreign influences, including Islam and Christianity, began to reach Buganda in the 19th century. The kingdom eventually became a British protectorate in 1894. Buganda's desire to maintain its distinct political identity has contributed to Uganda's post-independence history.13

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