Naggalabi Buddo Kabaka Mutebi's Coronation site

By Hannington Sebuliba

Twenty five years ago, I was a student at Makerere University in my Second Year. As preperations for Kabaka Mutebi II were going on, I got my yashika camera and took a few pictures at Kabaka's Lake in Mengo near Ndeeba.

The traditional coronation site at Naggalabi Buddo

Kabaka's Lake in 1993, Kabaka was seated in a canoe waving to clan members

I also went to Naggalabi the coronation site to see the preparations going on. As a member of the Baganda Nkoba za Mbogo group in Makerere University, I got a chance to be one of the ushers that helped to welcome guests.

The natural throne made out of  roots at Naggalabi Buddo

It was a long vacation and I was living with my parents Venerable Enock and Jane Sebuliba at Buwere Divinity College, where my father was the Principal. On the eve of the coronation, I informed them that as an official at the coronation, I would be needed at the site at day break. They had no objection but to accompany me to Buwama town which is 3 km away.

Workers putting final touches on the  coronation platform

I boarded a taxi at 3:00am and left for Naggalabi Buddo. By 4:30am I was already at the site and you would think that it was already day break  as a multitude of  people were already at the site.  The sound of the drums and other instruments showed how much people were waiting for their Kabaka to ascend to the throne.

the 600 year old muwafu tree where coronation takes place

As dawn approached, a group of people led by Omutaka Ssemanobe of the Mamba Clan went to fight in a mock fight called olutalo olw'ebirumbirumbi. During this mock battle, Ssemanobe and Omutaka Nankere and his men fight with the Crown Prince's army at the gate near King's College Budo. The battle takes us back to the fight between Kabaka Bemba Musota and Kabaka Kintu. This battle was eventually won by Kintu and he started the current Buganda Dynasty. So on that day in 1993, Crown Prince Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II's army won the battle and ululations and jubilations started.

The platform where the Church Coronation took place

One unfortunate thing is that I did not move with my camera to capture some of the moments as it required accreditation from the Presidential Press Unit. Therefore, the photos of the coronation shown in here were not take by me. The only photos I took are those of the preperations.

a hut called Nakibuuka at Buddo

After the battle, the coronation functions started with each of the clan head performing his duty. I was amused to see Mugema (head of the Nkima clan) was a young man and knew what he was actually doing. The other person that amused me was a Reverend Father who was the Kalinda Mazzi. The functions were crowned by Omutaka Gabunga crowning the Kabaka with a tradition crown called engule ey'engugu.

Katikkiro Mayanja Nkangi hands over a spear to Kabaka

The moment of truth came when Katikkiro Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi hold Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi's right hand and showed it to the people saying "Ono ye Kabaka wammwe era Kabaka wange" meaning this is your King and also my King.  The Kabaka was fully dressed in backcloth, white tunic, and animal hides

Ululations, dancing and beating of the drums then followed after the Kabaka had sounded the Mujaguzo drums that are made up of so many drums among which are Kawulugumo, Namanyonyi and others. Later on a very strong man from the Mbogo clan carried the Kabaka on his shoulders and took him around as the Kabaka waved to his subjects. He was then taken to Bwanika and Buganda House.

Kabaka after the clan heads had performed rituals on him

Rt. Rev. Misaeri Kauma crowning the Kabaka

When he came out he was now clad in a black double breast blazer and a white kanzu (tunic). Then a Church service that was ecumenical in nature started led by the Bishop of Namirembe Rt. Rev. Misaeri Kauma and the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda the Most. Rev. Yona Okoth together with other Bishops of the Church of Uganda, the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church and Seventhday Adventist Church.

Each of the bishops performed a duty  and the Bishop of Namirembe Misaeri Kauma crowning the Kabaka. The Bishop of Masaka Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu gave a very moving homily. And finally the Achbishop of the Church of Uganda prayed  and gave a blessing to the Kabaka.

After the prayers the Legal team led by Owek. John Katende, Owek. Godfrey Lule and Owek. Charles  Peter Mayiga led the swearing in ceremony.