Category: Ancient Kingdoms
Population: 1.4 Million People
Location: Hoima district, Masindi district, Kibale district and Buliisa district
Distance from Capital City: 210km
Telephone: +256 465 442 332
Economy: Kibiro saltworks, Oil, Gas, Iron ore, Agriculture, Tourism, Fishing
Top Attractions: Mparo tombs, Lake Albert, Murchison Falls National Park, Hoima Palace
Bunyoro-Kitara is one of the oldest and most influential Kingdoms in Uganda, believed to have been established between 1450 & 1500AD
The Batembuzi & Bachwezi Dynasty
The first kings of the Bunyoro-Kitara were the Batembuzi dynasty, and their reign according to some scholars, is said to have been between AD1100 and AD1350.The Bachwezi dynasty was founded by Ndahura, son of Isimbwa and grandson of Isaza; the last ruler of Batembuzi dynasty.
Ndahura is said to have come to power during the second half of the 14th century. He is believed to have got supernatural powers and he is credited with the introduction of the long-horn Ankole cattle, iron melting and coffee cultivation in Uganda.
Under the reign of Ndahura, (who was a military expansionist), Kitara empire grew huge to the extent it covered most parts of southern, central and western Uganda. Ndahura also made successful raid into parts of northern Tanzania, western Kenya, eastern D.R.Congo and Rwanda.
It is believed that almost all the royal dynasties in modern Uganda are direct or indirect descendants of the Bacwezi. The Bachwezi dynasty ruled for a very short and according to historians, three kings are mentioned; Ndahura, Mulindwa and lastly Wamara.
Legends state it that, the Bachwezi just disappeared, as witnessed by the disappearance of Ndahura and later his son Wamara, who abandoned his capital following the invasion of the Luo to the Bacwezi dynasty between AD1500 & AD1650.
The Babiito dynasty succeeded the Bachwezi. Its founder, King Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi I, was son of Ndahura. To-date, there have been a total of 27 Babiito kings who have ruled Bunyoro-Kitara.
The Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom was created when the ancient Kitara collapsed during the 16th century. Prior to its collapse, Bunyoro ruled the entire region between Lake Victoria, Lake Edward, and Lake Albert. Modern day kingdoms in Uganda like Buganda, Busoga & Luo, seceded from Bunyoro at the time it suffered frequent wars, weak administration and diseases.
Between the period1894 to1899, Bunyoro Kingdom under the reign of Omukama Chwa II Kabarega was declared at war with the British colonial masters. After five years of fighting in trying to defend his kingdom against the British rule, Kabarega was captured by his enemies and exiled to the Seychelles Island for 24years. Later on his return to Bunyoro, he died in Jinja, Uganda’s eastern town
To date, Omukama or King Solomon Iguru Gafabusa is the reigning king of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, restored in 1994, following the abolition of ancient kingdoms in Uganda by Obote government in 1960s.
The Omukama’s palace lies a few kilometres from Hoima town centre, and it is open to visitors but by prior arrangement. Several items are on display within the Palace like musical instruments, royal headdresses, collection of spears & the traditional nine-legged throne.