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.

Sheikh Nooh Muzaata has called upon the kingdom of Buganda, the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi in particular to rebuild the mosque that was recently demolished by the kingdom officials. The mosque, was demolished because it was located inside the palace.

The Sheikh, while addressing a group of Muslim youth, said he wants the mosque that was demolished in Kabaka’s palace rebuilt and attacked Buganda kingdom and its people for ‘segregating Muslims.’

Muzaata compares the demolition of their mosque to the recent burning of the masiro. He says that Muslims also deserve to have a Katikiro because times have changed. He asked Muslims to stop singing ‘ekitibwa kya Buganda’ and buying Buganda kingdom certificates till when the kingdom administration stops segregating Muslims. Muzaata says that Muslims don’t take beers but the Kabaka appoints drunken Catholics as the Katikkiro. The current Katikkiro (prime minister of Buganda), John Baptist Walusimbi is a catholic. The Two Katikkiros Walusimbi replaced, Dad Muliika and Joseph Mulwanyamuli were also Catholics.

Ends

The post Muslims attack Kabaka for ‘segregating Muslims,’ burns Buganda kingdom anthem first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Kampala metropolitan commandant Andrew Felix Kaweesi says that the security of the Kabaka lies in the hands of the army but the police can come in if given the chance.

He however says that this will only be done in case the kingdom accepts it.

This comes after a mysterious fire gutted one of the kingdom’s guard rooms at Bulange Mengo this morning.

One person died on spot and four others were injured by the fire.

The injured include Captain Steven Mivule and one Sebuguzi who have been rushed to Mengo hospital.

The police have identified the dead person as a mentally ill woman who was earlier arrested as she tried to enter the kingdom premises.

Earlier, the police spokesman Kampala Metropolitan Ibin Ssenkumbi said investigations had begun and they had already taken samples from the scene of the fire.

He also reveals that some of the samples include petrol-like substances

Senkumbi now calls for clam as investigations continue.

This is the second fire this year on Buganda kingdom properties.

Earlier, another fire gutted a house at the kingdom’s coronation site at Naggalabi.

The post police offers more security to Bulange Mengo first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Kabaka (king) of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has today officially opened the 20th Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) at Bulange Mengo- the kingdom’s administrative seat.

The Kabaka guided the Lukiiko on how to address the kingdom’s challenges, and achieve the kingdom’s objectives, missions and goals. The also addressed the Lukiiko on key issues such as the federal system of governance, the 900 square miles of land the kingdom demands and Buganda’s development plans. In Kiganda tradition the Kabaka opens the Lukiiko once every year after the coronation anniversaries.

The Kabaka says that his kingdom is faced with a number of challenges, including lack of a stable source of income, unreturned properties from central government, and destruction of Buganda’s key cultural sites.

Buganda kingdom suspects that its enemies in government were behind the burning of Kasubi royal tombs and Bwanika shrines in Wakiso district.

The post How Kabaka opened Buganda kingdom Lukiiko today first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

 The king (Kabaka or omukama) of Tooro kingdom, Oyo Nyimba Iguru last week suspended the Kingdom constitution. The king says that he wanted to pave way for the constitutional amendment exercise.

But the suspension of this 1999 constitution of Tooro Kingdom by Oyo Nyimba has divided his subjects and kingdom officials.

Many of the kingdom officials have tongue lashed the king, describing his acts as childish, illegal and divisive.

David Mujuni, a representative of Mwenge County to Tooro kingdom parliament says that the king did not consult them before suspending the constitution.

He says that king Oyo should have highlighted the clauses he wanted to amend than suspending the entire constitution which took a lot of money to make.

Sources say that the kingdom clan council members met yesterday and also came to a conclusion that the king’s action was illegal.

Ends

The post Kabaka suspends kingdom constitution: Royals question his powers first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Uganda may soon be read in the genes books of records as the only country in the world whose president survives on divide and rule policy.  Uganda is one of the countries in the world whose government allows every community to form its own kingdom and the government recognizes it. Where there are powerful kingdoms, it is said that the government officials create smaller kingdoms into it in a bid to weaken the powerful kingdoms. For example in Busoga sub region in eastern Uganda, the area is meant to have one king called the Kyabazinga. But the kingdom now has to rival Kyabazingas. Uganda is supposed to have one Mufti. But the country now has two rival Muftis one based at Kibuli Mosque and the other based at Old Kampala Mosque. Buganda kingdom, arguably the most powerful kingdom in Uganda is supposed to have one king called the ‘Kabaka.’ But the same kingdom now has over three kings. There is the Kabaka, and two rival kings called Sabaruri and Sabanyara respectively. All these kings are recognised by the same government in power.

Most of these rival kings, according to Buganda kingdom’s premier (Katikkiro), Eng. JB Walusimbi had never existed before.

The people of Kasese and Bundibugyo district have their king called Mumbere and his kingdom is somehow powerful. But because most of its cadres are members of opposition FDC party of Col. Kiiza Besigye, rival kings have been formed into it. One of the communities in this kingdom called the Basongora recently crowned their King called Rwigi IV Agutamba Rutakirwa Kabumba Ivan Bwebale. And before the new king could consolidate his power, his royal drum and flag were taken away by a group of unknown people armed with spears and guns.

The new king says that the security agencies have been informed and are investigating the incident but the Regional Police Commander, Wilson Kwanya says the security is not aware yet but also says that the police will investigate. So it seems whoever bewitched Uganda has not yet finished.

Walakira Nyanzi

The post Divide and rule policy in Uganda: each kingdom has 2 rival kings and 2 rival Muftis recognised by government first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The NRM leadership is now gambling with former MP Alintuma Nsambu whose relationship with Buganda Kingdom establishment is as sour as the word its self.

Sources tell us that Nsambu is expected to use his financial martial to battle it out with DP’s Mathias Nsubuga in a parliamentary by-election in Bukoto south, in Masaka district.

Meanwhile FDC is also in search for a candidate following a bitter verbal exchange with DP over EALA elections.

The seat fell vacant after the nullification of the former area MP Muyanja Mbabali over lack of enough academic papers. Nominations for the post are slated between 13^th to 14^th June, 2012.

The post NRM fails to get candidate for Bukoto first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Sources tell us that Nsambu is expected to use his financial martial to battle it out with DP’s Mathias Nsubuga in a parliamentary by-election in Bukoto south, in Masaka district.

Meanwhile FDC is also in search for a candidate following a bitter verbal exchange with DP over EALA elections.

The seat fell vacant after the nullification of the former area MP Muyanja Mbabali over lack of enough academic papers. Nominations for the post are slated between 13^th to 14^th June, 2012.

Ends

The post NRM fails to get candidate for Bukoto first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

These 25 suspects have been in prison without trial for over two years. Under Ugandan law it is illegal for suspects to stay in prison without trial for over 120 days. ButBugandariots suspects have spent in prison over two years. They were arrested in September 2009.

We are told the Kabaka has met with some of the people who visited the suspects at his palace inKampalaand thanked them so much. The people who visited the Buganda riots suspects at Luzira prison were led by Nkobazambogo chairman, Kigoye Francis Mukasa, leaders of Baganda Ngabo workers Association (BANGAWA), former Lubaga MP aspirant Moses Kasibante, Sekubulwa Edwin Bruno Lukanaso, Youth presentatives in Buganda Lukiiko led by Elijah Kyobe and Buganda kingdom Ministers Florence Bagunywa Nkalubo (Youth minister) and Namudala Kabuuza Mukasa (Minister in charge of royal travels).

The post Kabaka welcomes patriotic Ugandans from Luzira first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The development has come at a time when opposition parties mainly FDC and DP, Buganda kingdom and human rights organisations petitioned UN human rights department to intervene into the issue. Bukenya Church Ambrose, told Walakira Nyanzi, a journalist based in Kampala that he has been receiving calls from the Kampala government persuading him not to involve UN in the issue of the Buganda riots suspects. Bukenya is the coordinator of Gwanga Mujje, a group of human rights activists in Kampala with branches in UK and US.

We have learnt that on Tuesday judiciary working on a directive from statehouse assigned the Masindi High Court judge Ralph Ochan to hear the case of the 23 suspects facing treason charges and where applicable give them bail.

Due to the pressure, a source in the High Court told one of our reporters that the government has requested the judiciary to hear the case of the suspects so soon before the UN diplomats visit them in Luzira prison. There is a rumour going in Kampala government that some UN officials want to storm Luzira prison without notice and meet the Buganda riot suspects. The fear is that the UN diplomat could discover that many people have been locked up in Luzira for more than five years without trial due to political influence.

Recently the relatives of the suspects broke down into tears after Prison authorities failed to produce the suspects to court as it was earlier communicated. Many people were heard cursing president Museveni’s government, his NRM party and wished US president Barrack Obama comes for their rescue. Another source at the Kampala High Court told our underground informers that the Buganda Riots suspects have stayed for all long without trial because the head of state, who is the appointing authority of the judiciary reportedly had an interest. The suspects were arrested after the UPDF soldiers and some few Police officers stopped the Buganda Katikkiro, J.B. Walusimbi, from visiting Kayunga district in preparation for Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s visit to mark the annual youth day.

The post Due to international pressure government has located Buganda riots suspects a judge first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.