Buganda State Notes

Buganda State Notes

Background

Prior to 1650, she was one of the small independent lineages in the interlacanstrine region.
The class had a generally wide influence over its members. The period from approximately 1600 – 1800 was characterized the following:
- Firstly, by territorial expansion
- Secondly, it was marked by administration consolidation
- Thirdly, the increasing importance in military system
- Fourthly, the beginning of centralized political structures.
Buganda was located on the north-western area of Lake Victoria in a region that was very fertile. The introduction of bananas gave the people of Buganda a source of food well- suited to their geographical environment.
Since bananas provide a high yield for comparatively less input in terms of work, general food production was left for women. Men were freed form production activities so that they could be readily available or military activities.
However in other states like Bunyoro, Bunganda's rival, men played an important role in the agricultural sector and responsible for herding cattle, clearing the land for fields and even till the land.

Baganda purposely embarked on a culture of ridiculing Banyoro. They began by claiming that Kato-Kimera was a child sired by a Muganda prince, Kalemeera whom, they allege, mysteriously landed at the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara's palace, tip- toed into the palace compound and made love to Omukama's Omugo(Queen) thereby impregnating her to produce Kato-Kimera.
Banyoro consider this allegation an insult to them. It annoys them greatly, aggravating the already sour relations.
Baganda history writers are confused telling an untrue story of Kato-Kimera's birth. They find it difficult and embarrassing to piece together an unbelievable, incoherent story on how Kato-Kimera was borne of the Omugo of Bunyoro-Kitara, brought up in the palace and how he was smuggled out to land in Muhwahwa.
However, the accurate story, as told by elders whom imminent Munyoro historian, John Nyakatuura quotes, say that prince Kato was a true twin brother of Isingoma Mpuuga Rukidi, borne of the same Luo mother, Nyatworo. The twins were collected together, four brothers, and their elder brother, Isingoma Mpuuga Rukidi, crowned the first Mubiito king of Bunyoro-Kitara.
On being assigned the chieftainship of Muhwahwa Kato went with the intention to rebel. He carried with him the kingdom's regalia, a drum called Mujaguzo, which is today still present at Mengo.
He took with him many Banyoro citizens who founded the Engabi clan.
Distorting Kato-Kimera's Bunyoro origins, indeed using it to redicule Bunyoro royalty, is one of the symptoms of continued bad relations between Banyoro and Baganda. As the 19th century closed and the new one started, Baganda emebarked on a culture of downplaying Banyoro. They ridiculed them by referring to them as backward, uncivilized, uneducated, social misfits etc, In Buganda society a Munyoro was held next to a sub-human being. A Munyoro could never perform anything good. If he did anything good it was always said he had imitated a Muganda. Baganda children were groomed to humiliate and always downplay Banyoro. Hence 10-year Baganda children openly referred to Banyoro as, "Banamawanga" (strangers).

More notes to follow.......,
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