THE TERRITORIES OF THE GREAT KITARA EMPIRE-UNDER OMUKAMA KABALEGA

Omukama Kabalegs

 

His Majesty the Omukama Kabalega held councils in order to keep his power and the country intact and to settle disputes; he was the ruler of all the clans in the country of Kitara. Kitara was a very big country and had many territories which were populated with people cattle and other rich resources, below are the colonies which were controlled by Omukama Kabalega and this is the ultimate once geographical coverage of Kitara Empire

 

BUSOGA, KAMULI AND BUDYOPE: These were territories of Kitara and were ruled by Prince Igabura the grandson of Omukama Olimi 1 of the great Kitara Empire, During Kabalega’s time when a prince was born in Busoga territory he would be taken to the Omukama’s Palace in Kitara-now Hoima where he was brought up with royal behavioral culture, whenever the ruler of Busoga territory died the prince would leave the Palace in Hoima and come to rule over the territory, During the time of Kabalega Prince Nyaika had been taken to the Palace where he grew up but was expelled and Yosia Nadyope (Nadiope) the father of Kajumbura, was put in his place. Busoga was of great importance because it had many markets where Abakitara could buy goats backcloths and other assortments, Kabalega remained the supreme ruler over this territory and principle judge in settling conflicts when ever they arose

 

LANGO-BUKIDI: There were no chief in Lango society, but rather heads of clans, Lango was ruled by Kabalega and they greatly loved him and they called him Nyangatumu, that is to say the King of Kings, the King would give them wives salt, iron, hoes bangles heads and other assortments, Lango provided good soldiers when ever war broke out,  the clan heads resided in Bukidi and when ever conflicts arose amongst them selves they could come to Kabalega preside over their issues since he was the King of Kings and ruled over them . When the farther of Ibrahim Olum (Olumu) killed the father of David Odore, for example it was Omukama Kabalega who settled this dispute. The whole of Lango belonged to Kitara

 

TESO/KAHWERI- There was a market here where the King Kabalega’s boats as well as other things were sold, market dues were also collected here and proceeds came to Kitara, The chief market master here was a man called Kamukokoma Katenyi. There were other lesser market masters in Teso. Katenyi belonged to the Bahinda Clan, the profits accruing from these markets in Teso formed part of the Kitara State Revenue. Teso had clan heads for whom Kabalega ruled over and acted as an arbitrator in their quarrels and disputes. The people of Teso sent cattle and goats to Kitara as tributes to King Kabalega

 

ACHOLI-GANYI- The major chief (Rwot) who resided at Kitgum was called Owici (Awich). There were also other chiefs. Awich ruled Chwa and Paira (Payira) near the lake (Victoria Nile), his royal regalia spear chair and vessels all these were sent to him by the King of Kitara. When this chief died his successor was appointed by King Kabalega and any such successor must be related to the Babiito of Kitara

 

MADI, ATYAKI, PALANGO, OGWALI, PAIRA, MURUYA, BOKERUMU OYERE, KORI; All these areas were situated south of the Lake (Victoria Nile),their chiefs were, Orugwere, Opete, Koki, Lagonyi. All these chiefs were installed by King Kabalega. Owich (Awich) and his elder brother once had a quarrel and Kabalega was the one who settled their dispute. He found the elder brother guilty, punished him and made Owici Chief

 

ARURU (ALUR-WEST NILE): Here was Chief Oziri a Mubiito who had his capital at Okuru, Oziri was the grand father of chief Jarawori, there were other chiefs Ole and Tukenda who ruled north of Bugungu, other chiefs included Kakora a Mubiito,Aliganyira, Oketa, Huma, Mburukwa, Mulindwa, Kabale, Rutarurwa 11, Mugera Bomera, all these were duly installed by Omukama Kabalega , and furnished them with royal regalia including the drums, spears stools and other things used in administering their areas but under himself as King Kabalega

 

BUKONJO NORTH OF BWAMBA: This territory was ruled by a Mubiito the grandson of Murro, himself also a Mubiito, his name a Mudungu

 

THE 21 COUNTIES OF THE GREAT KITARA EMPIRE-UNDER OMUKAMA KABALEGA

 

Below are the Saza Chiefs, their clans and their villages:

 

1-BUGAHYA COUNTY: This county (Isaza) was ruled by Nyakamatura son of Nyakatura, who built his head quarters at Kihaguzi on the hill called Kabyerya. He was of the Bamoli clan. His totem was Engabi and his saza county stretched from Bugoma near Lake Albert to Kasokwa in Bugondo. He was a native of Kihaguzi in Bugahya and was the Chief of Defense Forces in the Kabalegas Army.

 

2-BUSINDI COUNTY: This was ruled by Bikamba son of Kabale. His capital was at Kibwona in Kibaiko village. He belonged to the Muranzi clan. This county stretched from Kasokwa Ntoma to Nyabuzana and the River Kafo. He was born in Butengesa Rugonjo

 

3-BUGUNGU OR KICWANTE COUNTY: This county was ruled by Mwanga, son of Kagwa, his capital was at Kinyambeho in Bugungu. He was of the Bachwa clan and his totem was Engabi. This county stretched from Lake Albert and Pajao to the hill called Nyabuzana. He was a Mugungu (born in Bugungu)

 

4-CHOPE COUNTY: This was ruled by Kihukya Katongole Rukidi, it stretched from Lake Albert, Pajao on the River Nile to Nyabuzana and separated Chope from Kibanda, Kisongora. His capital was at Panyadoli, he belonged to the Muchwa clan and his totem was Engabi

 

5-KIBANDA CHOPE COUNTY: It was ruled by  Masura son of Materu, his capital was in the village called Koki, the county stretched from the river Titi to Lake Pawiri (Victoria Nile) on the boarder with Kihukya. He was of the Munyonza Clan and his totem was a bird Enyonza He came from Mwenge.

 

6-BURULI COUNTY: This county was taken by Buganda it was ruled by Kadyebe son of Bantama of the Mugonya Clan and his totem was a mushroom. The county was bordered by the river Kafo Lake Kyoga and the river Kitoga and extended to the Bugerere boarder near the county of Kangaho (Current Bulemezi in Buganda) and to the river Serwizi near the Butengesa border, he was from Buruli

 

7-BUNYARA OR BUGERERE COUNTY: The saza chief here was Mutenga son of Ikwambu, his headquarters were at Ibale also called Ntenjeru. The county stretched from the Nile to Busoga and to the Buganda boarder. It also went as far as the current Sekiboobo’s Saza of Kyagwe and onto Lake Kyoga, he was of the Babiito Clan and a grandson of Omukama Olimi 1. He was born in Bunyara his totem was the bushbuck

 

8-RUGONJO/BUTENGESA COUNTY: This county was rule by Mutengesa son of Ololo, his capital was at Kicucu, Rugonjo, the county divided river Rugogo and river Kafo and stretched as far as the current Ssingo and Bulemezi in Buganda, It also stretched to Kikule, Kikonda near the river Mongo in Bugangaizi, He was a Mubiito and a grandson of Omukama Winyi 1. He came from Rugonjo and his totem was a Bushbuck

 

9-BUGANGAIZI COUNTY: This was ruled by Kikukuule the son of Runego, he had his capital at Kasaka Bukumi on the spot where now stands the Catholic mission, he ruled from Wesigire Kigoma to Nyabakazi on the Ssingo border and as far as to Mubebde Hill where Nyakahumakati, King Ndahura’s wife who had guarded the capital of Ndahura lived. This Omugo belonged to the Musazima clan her totem was Entimba Bugangaizi county was also boarded by river Muzizi, Nyakabimba Kyaka, the river Nguse, Buyaga and Kabale Kafo up to Bugahya.  Kikukuule was of the Mwiruntu clan and was a native of Bugangaizi, his totem was the elephant

 

10-BUYAGA COUNTY:  This county was ruled by Rusebe son of Rukirabanyoro a grandson of Omukama Kyebambe 111 Nyamutukura, his capital was at Nkeirwe-Pacwa, it stretched from the rivers Nguse and Muzizi to the south of Lake Albert

 

11-NYAKABIMBA COUNTY: It was ruled by Mugema the son of Zigijja of the Babopi clan, his capital was at Bucubya, his job was to look after the King guard the royal tombs of the Kitara and to be head of the Babiito clan (Okwiri), his county was bordered by Mubende, Kyaka Mwenge and Buyaga. He belonged to the Babopi clan of the lion totem. He was also a native of Nyakabimba. This was a hereditary county from the time of Omukama Ndahura of the Bachwezi dynasty, it was Ndahura who gave it to Mugema grandfather, Rubumbi, the man who had rescued him when  he had been thrown in the river as a child

 

12-KYAKA COUNTY: This county was rule by Ntamara the son of Nyakabwa, his capital was at Kawenyi , his area stretched from Bwiru Katonga to Nkore and Mwenge and Nyakabimba, he belonged to the Banyonza clan , he was from Mwenge, he belonged to the same clan as the Queen Mother (official mother of the King)

 

13- MWENGE COUNTY: This was ruled by Mugarra son of Kabwijamu, his capital was at Bugaki in Mwenge, his boundaries were the river Muzizi, the river Semliki, Bukuku, near Lake Albert and Isingome near Kibale, Mugarra belonged to the Banyonza clan, he was a native of Mwenge and was also a clan relative of the Queen Mother.

 

14-TOORO COUNTY: This was ruled by Ruburwa son of Mirindi, his capital was at Kamengo in Tooro-a place called Kibimba, the county stretched as far as River Semliki, Busongora, Bwamba and Mwenge, Ruburwa was a native of Mwenge and belonged to the Banyonza clan, the queen mother’s clan. He was given Tooro after it had been re conquered

 

15- KITAGWETA (KITAGWENDA) COUNTY: This county was ruled by Bulemu son of Rwigi, his capital was at Kyanyamburara, it stretched from Nkore to Kyaka, he was of the Babiito clan a grandson of Omukama Isansa, he was a native of Kitagweta

 

16-BUSONGORA MAKARA COUNTY:  Situated on the north of River Semliki and the Congo it was ruled by Kagambire the son of Kajura Rujumba, his capital was at Kanamba, he belonged to the Balisa clan and was a native of Kibanda in Chope

 

17-BUSONGORA MUNUKA COUNTY: Situated on the south it was ruled by Rukara the son of Rwamagigi, his capital was at Katwe near the salt mines of the Lake Katwe where King Kabalega boats were stationed, Rukara was a native of Busindi-Masindi and belonged to the Baranzi clan

 

18-RWAMBA COUNTY: This was ruled by Rukara the son of Itegeiraha, his capital was at Biranga, he belonged to the Bachwa clan of the bushbuck totem and was a native of Kibanda in Chope, it was in his palace that Yosia W Karukara was born in 1887

 

19- MBOGA COUNTY: Situated to the north of Tooro near the Belgian Congo border-now DRC, this county was ruled by Ireeta son of Byangombe, he belonged to the Basaigi clan, his capital was at Kayera in Butuku, He originally came from Nkore and had been captured during the time of Kabalega’s wars against Kabigumire (Kabalega’s rival brother). Ireeta was second in importance after Rwabudongo (amongst Kabalega’s Generals). He was the General of the Ekirwana division of the Abarusura and the sub sections of the army under his command were , the Ekiporopyo, Ekikweya, Ekibangya and Ekikube and others. Ireeta was given the charge of guarding the Congo Bulega border and Mboga. The defense of Mboga was divided between to him and Rwabudongo so that each defended half of it  . Ireeta was usually sent out to lead many wars and expeditions because he was a very brave man. He was the man encountered by Kabaka Mwanga 11 when he fled from Buganda to Kitara. Ireeta had been sent to Biso by the King to meet Mwanga 11 and  he actually died in 1906

 

20- BUZIMBA COUNTY: This county was ruled by Nduru son of Nyakairu. He was of the Balisa clan, his capital was at Kanyamburara, This country became part of Nkore from 1900

 

21-BUHWEJU COUNTY: This county was ruled Ndibalema son of Balisa , it was taken by Nkore in 1900, it used to be hereditary because it belonged to the people of the clan of the Queen Mother of the Omukama Winyi Rubagiramasega

 

All these counties belonged to Kitara and besides these wee areas outside the Kingdom which were her territories. These included Bulega in Congo, Ganyi (Acholi) Bukidi (Lango) all these were part of Kitara and were ruled by Omukama Kabalega

 

HOW KITARA EMPIRE WAS REDUCED

 

1-      Five Counties- The first mentioned that is Bugahya, Busindi Bugungu, Chope and Buruli were the only ones that Kitara retained. Bugahya was divided into two counties so that the number of the counties was raised to six. This was all that was left to the Empire of Kitara which now came to be known as Bunyoro Kitara Kingdon sincerely speaking  now inclusive of Buyaga and Bugangaizi that is more sub division

 

2-      Six Counties: Namely Buruli, Bugerere (Bunyara), Rugonjo, Bugangaizi and Buyaga were given to Buganda in 1900 but later a referendum under Obote’s government was held and people of Buyaga and Bugangaizi chose to return to Bunyoro

 

3-      Seven Counties: Namely Nyakabimba, Kyaka, Mwenge, Tooro Kitagweta (Kitagwenda), Busongora-the entire one, and Bwamba later became the Kingdom of Tooro which was restored by Captain Lurgard on 14th August 1891 when he restored Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe as Omukama of Tooro. Omukama Kabalega was still alive at this time and still King and was living at his capital of Kinogozi,

 

4-      Two counties: Namely Busongora Makara, north of River Semliki near the Congo and Mboga were taken by the Belgian Congo (1908) Besides these two, Bulega was also given to the Belgian Congo 1908

 

5-      Two Counties: Buzimba and Buhweju were given to Nkore, That was how Kitara lost its territories

Lost Bunyoro counties to Buganda

 

The Runyoro (Rukitara) not Runyakitara Language is something to be proud of and important in the areas from Bunyara (Bugerere) to Kiziba and Rwanda, the Banyarwanda and Banyankore used to speak the Runyoro language. It is spoken in certain areas in the Congo up to date and today and up to south of Lake Tanganyika

 

In our latest edition we shall bring you how Bunyoro Covered Rwanda, Kenya and Tanganyika

The post THE EXTENT OF KITARA EMPIRE UNDER OMUKAMA KABALEGA (Kabalega’s reign series part….1) first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

2. Aherera ekiswa atukura

3. Erafa tehuura ngwaara

4. Akana akatabunga kaikaliza nyina wako niwe acumba obunura

5. Mboha nyenka ekamara ebigogo omubitoke

6. Ebibarora tinibyo bagamba

7. Ekija omanyire kitwara bike

8. Kyozaire tonaga

9. Kawe kawe okuguru kukutweike enku

10. Kumanyana nkumanya tibaswagirana

11. Owensoke ibiri takugambira ke okanuga

12. Agafundikire gatambwa oturo

13. Akyenda akibona omugara na zara omuli

14. Barwongorereize…omusezi atembere esukuta

15. Tinkaroraga esiisa obukuru

16. Amahano bagakaguza rwagabwoine

17. Ngaro nsa zisemeza mukamabazo

18. Bagamba kondi akabu babyamiire

19. Kakije ndole okihuliira mu mbanda

20. Katali kale kagiza eisuma

21. Akagambo ko mukuru mukaro oijugaho no gayaho

22. Nyantagambirwa akanierwa omusorooro

23. Abasaija mahungu bagwa nibaimuka

24. Ekiraita nyakabwa kigigara enyingo

25. Mpankuhe nizo engonzi ezitafa

26. Ekirakulya kija norora

27. Arakwima akugamba weyolereho

28. Akaraba katahyo okaroora ha mukonda gwako

30. Akucumbira eyo mutwe ocucumbira eyebigere

31. Ndiire ka maama nibwo obusuma

32. Owamaani make obulemu abutwara omubisagazi

33. Alinda kihweyo acumita omukira

34. Atega gumu anyaata

35. Ahanbya ibiri zimuleka

36. Asweka ibiri taboija

37. Akwirukya niwe akwolekya omuhanda

38. Ogumazire kurosa tigwita

39. Agonza akasera akarungi akegoyera

40. Arakuha emyongo akubandiza ha bisunsa

41. Arakuha enkole akubandiza ha mugobe

42. Bakwimire oroho nti barakwahuura

43. Enkoko bagijunira nekyapapara

44. Ekyana kyempunu okiroora ha munwa gwakyo

45. Ndaijaga noija niryo eirembo eritafa

46. Arakwiha omuza akumulika obyamire

47. Atamuzaire niwe agimulenga

48. Arakuteera takubalira bwanuki

49. Erateera tejunjura

50. Entasiima eburwa agiha

51. Baanobere bagyeha

52. Ataafe aitirana omukunzi wa nyina

53. Akaigo atateire mukabaro okanaga haraira

54. Tindija taburwa ekimuleta

55. Ekibi tikiburwa muleesi

56. Embwa yotoroire togikwata mukanwa

57. Akanaga akacumbire encu tikahwa inunko

58. Orusenene rwandakibwoine rwikara ha munwa gwe nsaho

59. Amahiga gahigikururwa rwagahigikire

60. Owekisosro kitatwalire nyina aikaliza murakya turaseera

61. Akabwa akaigusire okarora ha midaliro yako

62. Ebiffera munda nibyo bisemesa amalembo

63. Aranga engoma niwe agyetwika

64. Akanyonyi kahara kasoma nikarora ha bwire

65. Butota bateiremu omwiko

66. Arakubinga ha njubo akutera oburogo

67. Amagezi muro bagaihanganaho

68. Banobere nyojo ngu iwe omwana ijaga nolya

69. Tindya bamuroora hamubirigwe

70. Bacwezi njuna nagawe oteireho

71 .Basaija mahungu bagwa nibaimuka

72. Aralya akomukuru amuberebenja

73. Hakyoto kyabakuru

74. Agateraine nigo gata  eigufa

75. Araire kubi bamurora ha mazinduka

76. Agabira abarongo abaingaingiza

77. Ataha ekibira tatiina bikukonoga

78. Byerera abataina maino

79. Ayanga kugwa bamuniga bwemi

80. Eranena teboikora

81. Ekitonge kikoto kimara enjara baitu kireka ekihemu

82. Ekyotakaliire nozina kudiikire

83. Owomutwe mubi tahingurwa nkonyogo

84. Abagenda babiri baijukyangana

85. Eminwa ogitwara namberi baraginywegera

86. asera obuhuta anywegera oruhazi

87. Konodura nkomugara ayereze emyongo

88. Amara kulya ngu owaitu banyeta

89. Nali wawe akwita

90. Kabinegene buli bina kisagurwa

91. Ndakugabiraki? Aba akwimire orubazo

92. Amaizi tigebwa mwabugo mbeho

93. Ekikere tikirimanya omugaso gwa amaiza kuhikya bugoma

94. Ekiso Kyembuzi kireka omwisi kitunulira omubagi

95. Oweibango bwotamuhemukira towesweka

96. Tosaraga ogwa nyakaisiki otakahulire ogwa nyakoojo

97. Oli kaburabuzo nkensambu ye bicoli

98. Bainganaingana bituuro

99. Mpora mpora ekahikya omuniongoro ha iziba

100. Konokangaza nkentama ye kyara kimu

101 .Enduuru yokulya batera ntaito

102. Kawamalizamu nkogwekyanda

103. Bugu bugu tiguba muliro

104. Omwigo gwa hara tigujuna njoka

105. Owebiniga aite ebye

106. Arakwiha emiza akuramukya nolya

107. Owebiniga aite ebye

108. Akakira kembuzi keyera ebyamire

109.Akabwa akadoma kaboigolera enjojo

110 .Omukaikuru bwabura nibwo empisi enia enzu

111 .Yakusanga nogania gaikalemu

112 .Bansweke ntagate buli akabyeguura

113 .Komba teingana tegura

114 .Okuhabuza ekyanunka kandi munyanyoro asitamire

115. Nkakabwa tayebwa misitamiro ya nyina

116. Kyanika nsimbi kizara mporaho

117. Ataroho taterwa muti

118. Ekitaroho  tikiriza mwana

119. Ekirakuhemura okijalirana

120. Tibulikimasamasa ngu eba feeza

121. Esojo ecumita nelyalinto bwekura esakara enju

122. Omwigo gurwanirwa nkagutema hatali nkagukoma

123. Abaingi banobwa atubire

124. Nalima harungi ainuka

125. Nazina kurungi aruga omwidiro

126. Ekigwo ekirakwima enseko kigwiba nyokozara

127. Orutakule rumera ebipapa

128. Omukubi oguralya akaro oguroraho

129. Hali nyineka atali ebikere bitemba enju

130. Ebyangire eka omuleju gukamera ha kidokoli

131. Erabura ezara abaisiki

132. Atafune asubura amahuli nensoha

133. Oli kalemeso nkomwana aiba nyina

134. Akaikalirize kendesa muko mutahi

135. Oli kaburabuso komukazi ahoga nanyara

136. Akati bakagema mamera obukakura kahendeka

137. Atakuboine obusigazi agamba okwegambisa

138. Arwehaire asendekereza abatimizi

139. Konowehungulia nkomukazi womuleju

140. Abaragaine tibetana

141. Ruswa parra!! Ngu bunyata orame

142. Bagonza enku banobere omusenyi wazo

143. Ekyozaire tonaga

144. Bakweta kulya ngu balikanyihaho

145. Ikara aho ekuhebwa nyineka

146. Ndimuka ekaikaliza nyineka omubisodo

147. Kasenyanku kagenda nebyako

148. Omomuka tagwa nsimbu

149. Omwami make tagwa iraru

150. Balimpolera obwo ofwire

151. Ebigere bikera omutima hagurarire

152. Tintina kunai nkarumwenjara

153. Atakwatulire tolimanya kimuruma

154. Nkwikazire enaku nikwo mbyama

155. Akara akahoire omunio haihayo amazi

156. Enjojo teremwa masanga gaayo

157. Abanyineka batongana bairaba

158. Ndihurra bakamucumbira omuki cooli

159. Tihaba mwika ahatlai muro

160. Omugisa gwe ndahi tigurabya njukumba murukaraiga

161. Konosalimba nkempunu neraba mu pamba

162. Akweteireho niew obawe

163. Owahaire ha siba nenumi asangaho enyana

164. Owaruhanga ahaire nenumi ekamwa

165. Tingya habugenyi aba ataine kyokujwara

166. Ekyoyenda kikuseeza

167. Aharana abe agaigahaza abafumu

168. Aboruganda bita tibyatangana

169. Abatahi abatamizi abaihamu entigiro

170. Bakincwire oba okinagireho

171. Aramura abatimizi aseera mbale

172. Karumura abatamizi obaihamu entigiro

173. Otagicumba otagyokya baitu nsange ehiire

174. Orugambo mpirima rusra embaju ibiri

175. Ebibanagaija babijuka enjara egwire

176. Naculeera acura nyina

177. Agonza nyakabu tagabuka nawe

178. Barucwera igete rwita aguruka

179. Ataina banio tanabira haiziba

180. Abasaija mitoma ehararuka egaruka ejumba

Research by Allan Bamuha Atwooki abamuha@bunyorokingdom.org

The post ENFUMO/SAYINGS OF BUNYORO KITARA first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.