19 What was the role of sir Hesketh bell in the development of Uganda?

19 What was the role of sir Hesketh bell in the development of Uganda?

He was at first a special commissioner but late became the first governor of Uganda when the administration of Uganda was transferred from foreign offices to colonial offices

He first of all dismissed calls to turn Uganda into a settlers colony and instead encouraged peasant farming

His contribution was mainly in the area of agriculture he encouraged small scale industries and farming in Uganda

He developed the cotton industry and it waa through his efforts to pass the Uganda cotton ordinance that high quality american cotton seed were introduced to replace the wild cotton seeds

He banned hand ginning and instead opened up three new ginneries to process cotton

His contributions were not confined to cotton growing but also extended to other crops like simsim sugarcane coffee gnuts and rubber

In order to facilitate agriculture he greatly improved transport by construction of feeder roads to link productive areas to railway lines

During his tenure of office the jinja- namasagali ,Kampala-port bell railway lines were developed and stimulated development of busoga

He also encouraged the importation of bicycles and vehicles to ease transportation of goods and humans

His economic development attracted many Asians to Uganda these established businesses along the railway line and became major forces in Uganda's economy

On top of agriculture sir Hesketh bell encouraged trade but this was dominated by the Asians who set up wholesale business and retail shops in towns along the railway

In the field of health he fought diseases like sleeping sickness a!ong the shores of lake victoria with the help of local chiefs like Apollo kagwa

He encouraged that Uganda was able to support herself financially and encouraged hut and poll taxes to reduce Uganda's dependence on British funds