Royal Palace of the King of Buganda (Shutterstock)

Kampala -

Uganda, the republic located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Central Africa, emerged from British colonialism in 1962 with a heavy cultural and political legacy, represented by a kingdom whose ruins the emerging republic tried to replace, clashing with a history and identity deeply rooted in the souls of its citizens, but the clash resulted in coexistence. Unique, as the crown of the kingdom is in the middle of the center of the republic.

The Kingdom of Buganda - located within the territory and borders of the Republic of Uganda - is ruled by a crowned king, with a population of 12 million people, a parliament, a government, a council of tribal advisors, and a territory extending over approximately 61,000 square kilometers. Buganda is one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa that still exists to this day.

The history of the kingdom dates back to the 13th century, and at that time Buganda was one of 5 small clan emirates scattered along the northern shore of Lake Victoria, warring among themselves, and at the head of each emirate was “Mutaka.” That is, the head of a clan.

Oyike Kazibwe speaking to Al Jazeera Net about the history of the Kingdom (Al Jazeera)

A mysterious beginning

There is no recorded history of the moment the kingdom was established, so there is conflicting news about how these scattered emirates came together to transform into one of the most powerful kingdoms in East Africa.

Ugandan professor and historian Semakula Kiwanuka says, in an interview with Al Jazeera Net, that the beginnings of the Buganda Kingdom go back to the moment when the clans crossed from a small, fragile local system to the formation of a more powerful and cohesive system, with a central authority that expands and expands.

He adds that this transfer did not necessarily occur in search of economic gains. It is likely - according to anecdotal accounts - that the most powerful emirate was able to subject its neighbors to its authority, and the kingdom was subsequently formed in the form in which it has continued to this day.

It is believed that "Kabaka Kantu Kantu" - and the word "Kabaka" means king - was the first to initiate attempts to unify the clans in the 13th century, but it is not certain that he is a real figure, according to the professor. Since it bears the name of one of the legendary figures in the oral narratives of the peoples of Buganda.

To find out what the Kingdom's official institutions say about its history, we headed to the Kingdom's government headquarters in a majestic building dating back to the 1950s in the heart of Kampala. The capital of the Republic of Uganda, let us meet the official spokesman for the Kingdom, Minister of Information, Oyike Kazibwe.

Kazibwe says that, at the beginning of the 14th century, Kabaka Chuwa formed an alliance of 5 clans, so that during his rule he could expand the geographical control of the first Buganda kingdoms. At that time, the alliance included the following clans: Fvombé, Logafé, Nongé, Ngaza, and Nyonyi, and with the expansion, 6 additional clans joined the alliance.

With the aim of strengthening him and involving the "peoples", that is, the clans under his banner, Kabaka Chuwa held a clan assembly and formed a council of royal advisors composed of clan leaders. In that council, the king laid the foundations of his rule, which would later become the kingdom’s constitution.

Pillars of the Kingdom

Minister Kazibwe takes us around the headquarters of the executive branch (the government) and the legislative branch (the parliament), while explaining the pillars of governance mechanisms and its transition in the Kingdom.

The first pillar is the royal lineage,

which may differ from traditional monarchies, as it is not necessarily transmitted by direct inheritance, as it can be transmitted within the branches of the royal family, by the Kabaka, that is, the king, choosing his crown prince, or whomever he deems qualified to take over the affairs of the kingdom. When the successor is named, he is sent to live in the homes of prominent tribal figures to learn from them the etiquette of politics and diplomacy, and respect for traditions and heritage.

The second pillar is the clans

, according to Kazibwe, and choosing the name “clan and not tribe” does not have any indication about the size of the intended group, but rather because it is the name that has been used since ancient times. Each clan bears a “totem” or symbol from which it derives its name (including the cane rat, civet, squirrel, goat, antelope, crow, and others), due to the peoples of Buganda’s connection to the surrounding environment and their appreciation for living creatures, as respect for nature is an essential part of their culture and lifestyle. .

The third pillar is the Kabaka’s subjects, that is, the common people

. These are not on the margins of policy making or the decision-making mechanism, according to the minister. Among them, the Kabaka selects leaders, ministers and officials, and in this way the subjects are allowed to “serve their kingdom and their king, by playing leadership roles if they are chosen.” According to the Kingdom’s spokesman.

The Kingdom of Buganda is one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa that still exists to this day (Al Jazeera)

Islam and colonialism

The Bugandians consider the second half of the 19th century to be the beginning of the arrival of Islam to their kingdom. This was during the reign of Kabaka Mutesa I in 1876, who received Arab traders who came from the north and contributed to spreading Islam among the population. Mutesa I often received them in his palace, and in 1877 he fasted the month of Ramadan after converting to Islam.

Kabaka Mutesa I is considered one of the most prominent kings who ruled Buganda, and this is supported by Professor Kiwanuka. Then he was succeeded by Kabaka Mwanga II, who fought British colonialism and ruled for two periods between 1884-1888 and 1889-1897. He is believed to be the same personality that the rest of the Muslims in Uganda call “Kabaka Nuhu Kalma.”

“The name Buganda refers to a bundle of branches stacked together, and from this simile I can perhaps convey to you the idea of ​​the survival of the Buganda Kingdom,” this is how the historian explained Buganda’s steadfastness during the colonial era.

He added, "Our people are distinguished by their multiplicity of religions. There are those who believe in Christianity, and others who are Muslims or who remain in the ancient pagan religion, but what unites them is the belief - also - that their unity is the reason for their strength."

Professor Kiwanuka also believes that the people of Buganda have a societal immunity that enables them to adapt and influence more than being affected, and this is what made them able to make changes that do not affect their essence, but help them adapt to political changes.

He says, "Japan is similar to us. In the beginning, it was not possible to see the emperor among the common people, but now he speaks to them and addresses them, and my people did something similar during the colonial era."

After failed attempts to escape the grip of the British colonialists, Buganda was subjected to what was called "British protectorate" in 1884, at which time Britain gave the kingdom the name "Uganda", which is the name derived from the Swahili term.

Professor Kiwanuka summarizes the history of the Buganda kings with the colonialists, saying, “The Muslim Kabaka, Mwanga II, initially fought the British forces, but his limited army was unable to withstand the power of the empire, so he was captured and exiled to the Seychelles, and died in his cell outside his land, so the sources became acquainted.” Bugandism, as well as those who are fascinated by calling him the Martyr King.”

Independence and cultural identity

Buganda's path to independence began in March 1961 with self-rule, and it became an independent state in October 1962. Not everyone at that time believed in the concept of a strong central government.

The kingdom has lived through many eras. Professor Kiwanuka says, “When Milton Obote assumed the presidency of the government, we went through the most dangerous stages of our existence. His forces attacked the royal palace in 1966 and almost killed the king. Then Obote suspended the constitution and abolished all kingdoms, and to this day we have not forgiven him for this act.”

He added, "We lived through the rule of Idi Amin Dada, and we witnessed the abolition of cultural institutions, but the Buganda remained steadfast, rallying around their king," until the current president, Yoweri Museveni, took power. The founding constitution of Uganda gave four traditional kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Buganda, a federal status within the government. Kabaka Mutesa II was chosen as King of Buganda and assumed the throne in 1993 as the 36th king of the kingdom.

The Kingdom of Buganda has always insisted on preserving its political and cultural identity, says Minister Kazibwe. He added, "Our traditions are summed up in main things, including: the way of life at home, where we learn the etiquette of talking to people, receiving visitors, and the rules of hospitality, what to say and what not to say, and so on."

He added, "There are basic traditions to maintain societal cohesion, such as: visiting parents and extended family, family ties, whose importance we learn and maintain to this day, puberty, the age of marriage, the bride price, and the council of wise men who specialize in family affairs and cohesion, and decide on any dispute between spouses. This is important." Very much, it is all part of our lifestyle.”

The oral history of the Kingdom states that the traditional robe for men that matches the Arab dress was taken from the dress of Arab merchants who visited the Kingdom and established trade relations with it.

The headquarters of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Buganda in the center of the Ugandan capital, Kampala (Shutterstock)

Kingdom today

The Kingdom of Buganda celebrates its National Day, one day before the Ugandan National Day, and the professor or minister does not provide an explanation other than that the Kingdom has a history older than the state.

Regarding coexistence between the Kingdom and the state, the minister says, “When our cultural rights were restored, we were keen to preserve them within the laws of the central state. Therefore, the authority granted to the Kingdom is a traditional cultural authority, and we do not play direct political roles. But actually on the ground we are involved in political work through our institutions.” ".

As for the historian, he says, “Kabaka is the most popular person in the kingdom, and even at the national level. When he leaves his palace, which is located one mile from the government headquarters for once, you can see tens of thousands of people lining up to welcome him. If he says now that we will fight, we will fight.” ".

Whoever observes the current political scene in Uganda, which is home to the Kingdom of Buganda, will not need much effort to suggest that the Kingdom of Buganda is closer to the role of the opposition than to a partnership in governance. The citizens of Buganda are proud of their kingdom and do not hide their reservations about many of the policies of successive Ugandan governments.

These reservations begin with the question of why English was adopted as the official language of the country, and do not end with the fear of the increasing numbers of immigrants from surrounding countries and their transformation into citizens, out of fear for the founding identity of the state and a heritage that cost them greatly in the journey to preserve since the establishment of the Kingdom of Buganda.

Source: Al Jazeera