He set up his capital at Katakala, to the west of present day Mityana, strategically to serve as a base from which to attack Bunyoro.
He annexed the whole region around Lake Wamala, including Bukuya and Kasanda, ultimately extending northwards to Bwanja and Kiboga.
Having allied himself with Nkutu, a warrior from Lwaje island, who provided a fleet that was utilised in the campaigns of Kyaggwe and Busoga.
In assessing his campaigns in Busoga, Kiwanuka states "their victories were sullied by deeds of atrocity, and marked by dreadful slaughter and arson.
... although his successors such as Kyabaggu, may have done more heroic deeds or committed more ghastly acts in Busoga (Suna II) it is Mawanda's name which struck horror among the Basoga of old.