The Kabaka is the title of the King of Buganda. As per traditions of the Baganda, they are ruled by two kings: one spiritual and the other - a human being prince. The spiritual (supernatural being) king is represented by the Royal Drums called Mujaguzo and always exists, thus Buganda at any single time will always have a king. Mujaguzo, like any other king in the world, has his own palace, officials, servants and guards assigned to his palace. The human being prince has to perform special cultural rites on the Royal Drums before he can be declared King of the Kingdom of Buganda. Upon the birth of a royal prince or princess, the Royal Drums are sound by specially nominated drummers (by birth) from a specified clan, as a means of informing the subjects of the Kingdom, of the birth of new member of the royal family. The same Royal Drums are sound upon the death of a reigning king in the same way, to officially announce the death of the human being king. Buganda is the kingdom of the 52 clans of the Baganda people, the largest of the four traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda. ... Baganda, also called Ganda, are the largest ethnic group in Uganda. ... A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state, whose titles and ascent are often inherited, not earned, and who represents a larger monarchical system which has established rules and customs regarding succession, duties, and powers. ... Buganda is the kingdom of the Baganda people, the largest of the four traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda. ...

Election of Kings

Buganda has no Crown Prince concept. All the princes are equally treated prior to the coronation of a new king following the death of a reigning king. However, during the period of a reigning king, a special council has the mandate to study the behaviour and characteristics of the young princes. The reigning king, informed by the recommendation of the special council, selects one prince to be his successor. In a secret ceremony, the pre-elected prince is given a special piece of bark cloth by the head of the special verification council. The name of the 'king-to-be' prince is kept secret by the special council until the death of the reigning king. When all the princes and princeses are called upon to view the body of the late king lying in state, the pre-elected prince lays the special piece of bark cloth over the body of the late king, revealing himself as the successor to the late king. A Crown Prince or Crown Princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. ...

By tradition, Baganda children take on the clan of their biological fathers. However, princes and princesses take on the clan of their biological mothers. This is to ensure that each of the 52 clans of Baganda gets a chance of producing a future king of Buganda, since a reigning king can marry from any of the 52 clans except that of his biological mother.

The first born prince, by tradition called Kiweewa is not allowed to become king. This was carefully planned to protect him against any attempted assassinations in a bid to fight for the crown. Instead he is given special roles to play in the matters of the Royal family and kingdom. Thus, the name of the possible successor to the throne remains anonymous.

Kings of Buganda

• Kintu, late fourteenth century
• Chwa I, early fifteenth century
• Kimera, c.1420-c.1447
• Ttembo, c.1447-c.1474
• Kiggala, c.1474-c.1501
• Kiyimba, c.1501-c.1501
• Kayima, c.1528-c.1528
• Nakibinge, c.1555-c.1582
• Mulondo, c.1582-late 16th century with...
• Jjemba, late 16th century and...
• Ssuuna I, late sixteenth century-c.1609
• Ssekamanya, c.1609-early seventeenth century
• Kimbugwe, early seventeenth century
• Kateregga, c.1636-c.1663
• Mutebi I, Jjuuko, and Kayemba c.1663-c.1690
• Tebandeke and Ndawula, c.1690-c.1717
• Kagulu, Kikulwe and Mawanda. c.1717-c.1744
• Mwanga, Namugala, and Kyabaggu, c.1744-c.1771
• Jjunju and Ssemakokiro, c.1771-1797
• Ssemakokiro (alone), c.1797-1814
• Kamanya, 1814-1836
• Suna II, 1836-1856
• Mutesa I, 1856-1884
• Mwanga II, 1884-1888
• Kiwewa Mutebi II, 1888 - pretender to the throne during exile times of Mwanga II
• Kalema. 1888-1889 - pretender to the throne during exile times of Mwanga II
• Mwanga II (2nd time) 1889-1897 - on return from exile after the murder of Kiweewa Mutebi and Kalema by loyalists
• Daudi Cwa II, 1897-1939
• Mutesa II, 1939-1969
• Interregnum 1969-1993
• Muwenda Mutebi II, 1993-present (on 4th April 1971, Prince Ronald Mutebi II succeeded the Royal Throne of Buganda Kingdom after the burial of his late father Sir Edward Muteesa II in the Royal Tombs of Kasubi and attained the Kingdom's official title - Ssabataka. He was only 16 years old and therefore the Coronation did not take place. The political turmoil in the country during the years of Idi Amin that followed could not permit the Coronation to take place when the Prince came of age to be crowned Kabaka, as per the Constitution. He remained Ssabataka until 31st July 1993, when conditions became favourable to crown him Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda. Unlike his predecessors who became Kabakas at an early age and thus, had Regents appointed to run the affairs of the Kingdom, Kabaka Mutebi II did not have any Regents because the Kingdom was dysfuntional with no Lukiiko to appoint the Regents.)

He was the son of King Kintu and his name was Daudi Chwa ... Kimera of Buganda: This is the 3rd king of Buganda. ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Mukaabya of Buganda (1837? October 19, 1884) better known by his royal name Mutesa I, was the kabaka (king) of Buganda from October 1856 until his death. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... Mwanga II was the last monarch of an independent Buganda. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Mwanga II was the last monarch of an independent Buganda. ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Daudi Cwa II (1896-1939) was the king of Buganda from 1897 to 1939. ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Edward Mutesa II (November 19, 1924 - November 21, 1969) was king of the Buganda region and President of Uganda from 1963 to 1966. ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is the current King or Kabaka of Buganda, a tribal kingdom in modern Uganda. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

External links

• Brief description of Buganda at www.myuganda.co.ug
• Buganda.com

Uganda Culture