History Of Busoga by Y.K Lubogo - HTML preview

CHAPTER 7

THE HISTORY OF KIGULU NYIRO-IBANDA-NGOBI

The elders in Kigulu, previously Ibanda-Ngobi’s kingdom, provided  the following information : - Mr. Wakoli, one of the most prominent men states that long ago Busoga was uninhabited, particulary, in the centre. Around the shores of Lake Victoria and River Mpologoma it was sparsely populated. Later, the father of Busoga, Mukama, travelled from the east, from an unknown origin. Mukama passed through Busoga on his way to Bunyoro but, before he went to Bunyoro, Mukama stayed in Busoga for some years and even married a woman from the Baisegaga clan. Mukama left his wife in Busoga when she was pregnant and proceeded to Bunyoro. His wife gave birth to a son whom she named Ibanda. When the son became of age, his mother took him to his father in Bunyoro for the fulfilment of the native customs. Once in Bunyoro, the wife refused to return to Busoga but Ibanda wanted to, so he was allowed to do so by Mukama. There was another son of Mukama, named Nyiro, who wished to accompany Ibanda back to Busoga and he also received Mukama’s leave. Mukama then appointed a man named Nabala to escort these two young men back to Busoga where Mukama had left a number of his children. Each of these children had been given a piece of land, the boundaries of which were well known to Mukama himself. Nabala was instructed to give new pieces of land to these two young men.

Nyiro and Ibanda crossed L. Kyoga at Kasato, the same route followed by Mukama on his way to Bunyoro. They travelled through Bugabula, where their brother lived,and went to Bulamogi to pay a visit to their brother Ngambani. From there they travelled to Bukono to see Unyi, whom they found in his mbuga of Ungire. After a short stay, they continued their journey to Namakoko, in Bukoli, where they found Okali. They travelled round Nangoma Hill and hence to Buyende. They carried on through Bugwere and reached Busambira, where they climbed Nyenda Hill. On this hill were Ibanda’s relatives of Isegaga. The young men first settled at Izimba Hill but later moved to Kigulu Hill. While here, a civil war took place between their neighbours and when the war became fierce, both Ibanda and Nyiro took one side and fought. Neither side won and they sought a compromise. Ibanda and Nyiro returned to their hill where they lived for two more years before migrating to Kiroba hill in Luuka. The view which this hill commanded pleased them; from here they sighted Kamigo, Buluba, Busiro and Jinja,. which they decided to visit. While on this tour, they came to the place where Mukama had left Ibanda’s mother and where Ibanda was born, which was called Irera, or Kamigo.

When Nyiro and Ibanda returned to Kamigo they asked Nabala to do his duty as instructed by Mukama. Nabala apologized for not having done it earlier on the plea that he had thought it reasonable for the two people to see the whole country first before he allocated any land to them. Then Nabala gave the whole of Kigulu to Nyiro; he drew the boundries on all sides leaving Kigulu Hill in the middle. He also gave him Bunya but this was later detached from Kigulu when the population increased.

Ibanda was given an area which extended from Mawembe Hill to Buluba and Jinja; part of this area is the present Luuka Country and it included Kiroba Hill and Kamigo, Ibanda’s birthplace. Thus the two young men separated and each went to his own area. Ibanda lived at Kamigo for many years and had many children to whom he gave portions of land in his own area. Later he moved to Mawembe Hill where he died. 

Some people in Kigulu state that the first man to come to Busoga was Kintu, who was married to a woman named Nambi. Kintu descended from heaven and landed at a place called Buswikira near Iganga but in Bunya. While at Buswikira, Nambi gave birth to a son named Mukama. Later Kintu went to Buganda leaving his son Mukama in Busoga. Mukama stayed at Buswikira and married a woman who gave birth to many children, whose clan was known as Baise-Ngobi. When Mukama left Buswikira for Bunyoro, the former place became regarded as sacred by the people who went there to worship.  Many sacrifices were offered to the gods in this place such as cows, hens, bark-cloth, water-pots, chairs and many other things were brought there. 

It is also said that after Kintu had had a number of children in Buganda, he escaped back to Buswikira, in Busoga, where he died. He was buried there and his tomb became a place of worhip. The tomb was transformed into a rock which exists up to the present day. Mukama had four sons to whom he gave ports of Busoga. 

Nyiro Ibanda, Ngábani Unyi, Owali Kitimbo and Muzaya are the names of Mukama’s sons who were given parts in Busoga. After a few years’ stay in Bunyoro, Mukama had a serious attack of small pox and died instantly. His sons, who were in Busoga, developed a special respect for this disease and whenever they heard of anybody who was attacked by it, they used to go to him and collect pus from him. They nicknamed the plague ‘Mulangira’ (‘prince’). This disease was respected up to the time when the Europeans first came to Busoga.  Up to this day all members of the Ngobi clan, i.e. those of Mukama’s lineage, traditionally have their graves facing towards Bunyoro.

The lineage of the Ngobi clan is as follows:-

1. Nyiro, who was given Kigulu, does not have much remembered about him. He stayed most of his  days on Kigulu Hill.

2. Ngobi Lugwire Buko

3. Obo Ngoni

4. Nyiro II

5. Lubongebonge Ngobi

6. Izimba Ngobi

7. Tambula Ngobi

8. Mawangwe Ngobi

9. Kabaka Ngobi

10. Maiso Ngobi

11. Walube Ngobi

12. Kiregeya Ngobi

13. Nkobe Ngobi

14. Kiwayo Ngobi

15. Nyiro Ngobi

16. Walulumba Ngobi

17. Nzirakiindi Ngobi

18. Ibanda Ikoke Ngobi

19. Walusansa Ngobi

Walusansa was murdered by Baganda as a result of the schemes made by Wakoli, who was a friend of the Kabaka of Buganda. This is how it came about: The Kabaka of Buganda asked Wakoli to send him some stores of vegetables (mutere). Wakoli asked his brother Walusansa Ngobi to contribute. Walusansa complied by collecting plenty of mutere which he sent to his brother Wakoli. Then Wakoli sent the whole collection in one load to the Kabaka, but when it was unpacked at the Kabaka’s Lubiri (‘palace’), it was found to contain faeces. The Kabaka became furious, but Wakoli put the whole blame on Walusansa Ngobi, alleging hatred between two chiefs. Then the Kabaka despatched an army to go and attack Ngobi who had insulted him so much.

The army was headed by Balikumbuga, a Musoga from Luuka. They crossed to Jinja and travelled from Bukasa to Butambogwe, at  Kyebambe’s mbuga. Then the leader sent for Walusansa, who came accompanied by his Katikiro. As soon as Walusansa reached Kyebambe’s mbuga, he was told why he had been summoned and the leader asked him to grant safe passage to the army through his country. Walusansa granted it and was made to accompany the army. Then the army travelled via Iganga to Nasuti, where they camped for two days. On  one of these days the leader of the army called for Walusansa and when he came, the leader ordered one of his men to shoot Walusansa. 

After the murder of Walusansa, the army robbed everything in his mbuga, which they then set on fire. The murderers even forced Walusansa’s son to lick his father’s blood. From henceforth the son became known as Kanywamusai (‘he drank blood’). His name was Nyira, which was altered to Miro. He was taken to Buganda in captivity. This took about 1879.

Gologolo succeeded his brother, Walusansa, and he ruled well. By this time some Europeans had already come to Buganda and Busoga. After some time the Baganda brought back Kanywamusai and dismissed Gologolo.

Nyiro was returned to Busoga after 13 years’ stay in Buganda. While there Nyiro was treated as a prince and lived in the Kabaka’s Lubiri. When he came of age, the Kabaka gave him an army to return him to his country. This was on 8 April, 1892.

Nyiro had many Baganda friends whom he appointed as chiefs in different parts of his country. He had a completely Kiganda culture and spoke only Luganda, even treating Basoga contemptuously. He assumed much power and considered himself paramount ruler of Busoga. This was after the British had established their headquarters at Bukaleba. Nyiro was obliged to build his mbuga at Bukaleba like the rest of the chiefs. He was of great help to the Europeans when they were trying to suppress the rising of the Sudanese troops. After the rising, Nyiro was selected to help in the carrying of the property of some Indian troops back to Nairobi. There were 5,000 porters altogether. At that time there were no railways nor motor services. Nairobi was merely a rest camp, far from its present status. This was in 1898.

When Nyiro returned from his journey he was exhausted and ill. In fact, most of the porters died on the way and others died on arrival in their homes. Nyiro did not survive and died on 7th July, 1899, being succeeded by his youngest son, Oboja.

When Oboja succeeded his father he was just six years old. Some years later he was taken to Mengo High School (he was 13 years old by then).

In December 1902 he joined King’s School, Budo, which later became known as King’s College, Budo. While at school. Gidion Oboja was a good footballer and sprinter. He was particularly good at the 100 yards race and being a heavily built man, he could put the shot very well. Together with his brother, Sulemani Ibanda, 0boja proved a very useful member of the school.

At the end of his school days, Oboja returned to Kigulu to work as a Ssaza Chief there. He found his county extended beyond its original boundaries. Nikolawo Tega, a Muganda who was Nyiro’s page, had been working as Regent in place of G. Oboja. Obojo proved to be a very satisfactory ruler, which made the Government add some of the small counties on to Kigulu. The following were the small counties which were put under Oboja’s authority:- Bukono, Katekalusi, Mwanalari, Kisambira and some others. In 1907 Busiki was also added to Kigulu. Gidion Oboja began working as a Ssaza Chief in 1915.

Gidion Oboja was a heavy drinker and an enemy of the missionaries. He loved flattery, for which reason he often associated himself with young men who could praise him continuously. Most of his associates were only after their own interests. Oboja was never patient with anybody who tried to advise him against his associates and his behaviour. He was never careful with his property, most of which was stolen by his friends. Because his associates were very mean people, Oboja was not a respected chief. He allowed all his friends to behave as they wished in his own house. They were free to sit with him at the table for meals; some of them could take their meals while standing near him, and they never even washed their fingers.

He was so much against education that, once he became Ssaza Chief, he recalled all his brothers and sisters from school. All the boys in the Balangira School and the girls in the Girls Boarding School, C.M.S, Iganga, were asked to return home. His bad behaviour had a bad effect on his job; he became so inefficient that the Government could not tolerate him and he was dismissed in May 1922. Mr. Yekonia Menya Zirabamuzaale, a member of the Menya clan, was appointed in his place. Y.M. Zirambamuzale had been working as Chief of Bugweri where he had shown himself very efficient and worthy of promotion.

According to tradition, G. Oboja should have been replaced by a member of his own family or clan but by the time Oboja was dismissed, there was no member fit to succeed him. The only member Daudi Nsobani, Gombolola Chief in Bugweri, was considered unfit by both the Native, and Protectorate Governments. Nsobani was promoted to the post of Ssaza chief, Bugweri, and he was promised further promotion if he showed himself efficient. Y.M. Ziramuzaale was thus given Kigulu in May 1922 and he ruled this county for many years.

Y.M. Zirabamuzaale was the son of Nyende of Buyende, he was one of the five delegates who went to England advocating against the Federation of East Africa. The  five delegates were  Mr S. Kalubya, the Omuwanika of Buganda, Mr. Namutwe, Gombolola Chief and Mrs. Bazongera (all from Buganda); the others were Zirabamuzale from Busoga and Mr K. Rabwoni, Ssaza chief in Bunyoro. They went to England in 1931 and the whole journey lasted one month and three days. They stayed in London for two weeks.

The following is a summary of the memorandum drawn up on behalf of Busoga: “All the people of Uganda, Africans, Europeans and Indians, deplore the idea of the Federation of the three East African Territories.”

Owing to administrative difficulties, the Government was obliged to separate Busiki and Bukono from Kigulu. The two then became Ssaza Busiki ruled by Kisiki. This was first thought of in 1926 by the Native Government but the Protectorate Government did not endorse the idea at that time, because they still appreciated Y.M. Zirabamuzaale’s good work. However, the Government approved of it later.

The Government was obliged to accept the idea because members of the Ngobi clan in Kigulu were continuously pleading to it for a member of their own clan to rule them. The Government approved of the idea in a letter written to the Native Government in October 1936. Mr. Enoka Muinda, member of the Kisiki line, was appointed Ssaza Chief of Busiki. Mr Daudi Nsobani was given Kigulu. Mr. Y.M. Zirabamuzaale was accordingly returned to his own county of Bugweri. The Native Government was pleased with the arrangement, and the following chiefs endorsed it with their signatures : —

and Mr. E. Wako as President of Busoga Lukiko; but Mr. S. Mugoya, Ssaza Chief of Bukoli, was opposed to the arrangement which he refused to on the grounds that it involved the transferring of gombolola Bulange from Bukoli to Busiki. The same arrangement sanctioned the return of mutala Wangobo, previously part of Bukoli, to Bugweri. However, the arrangement went through, having been accepted by the Native Government. The endorsement of this arrangement took place in a meeting which was held at Namutumba on Wednesday, 9 September, 1937. The representatives of the Protectorate Government were :- Mr. O.C Noe1, D.C. Busoga and Mr. C.W. Switzer, A.D.C., Busoga. The following chiefs were present at the meeting : - The President, E. Wako, Y.M. Zirabamuzaale, Ssaza Chief, Kigulu and Y.K. Lubogo, Ssaza Chief, Bulamogi, who is the author of this book.

Busiki county was restored on 9 September, 1937. Bukono was made part of Busiki as a result of which the latter had a total of 2,900 tax payers. The ceremony to place Mr. Daudi Nsobani on Ngobi’s chair took place on 4 March, 1938, at 1O.3O am The Provincial Commissioner, Mr Temple Perkins, presided. Other notables present were the President, Mr. Ezekieri T, Wako, Mr. O.C. Noel, the District commissioner and Mrs Nadiope, wife of Ssaza Chief Bugabula. The following Ssaza chiefs were present at this ceremony : - 

Mr. W.W.K. Nadiope of Bugabula

Mr. Y.K. Lubogo of Bulamogi

Mr. Z. Nabikamba of Luuka

Mr. S. Mugoya of Bukoli

Mr. Y. Balita of Bunya

Mr. B. Muinda, Acting Ssaza Chief, Busiki

Mr. Y. M. Zirabamuzaale, who was due to be transferred to Bugweri and Mr. D. Nsobani, who was being put on Ngobi’s chair. All the Gombolola chiefs in Kigulu, including some other counties, were also present. There were many other common people who came to attend this occasion. 

There was much druming and dancing which marked  the joy of the people. This was a big day for members of the Ngobi clan because, on this day, a member of their own clan, Mr. D. Nsobani, displaced Mr. Y.K Zirabamuzaale who was a member of the Menya clan.

Mr. Nsobani was officially introduced to the P.S and to all the peole present by the D. C., Mr. O.C Noel. He said that the Government appointed D. Nsobani, the Ssaza chief of Kigulu, as a measure of pleasing the people of Kigulu and were making a lot of fuss about it and that because the Government wished to please the people, I found it necessary to change these two chiefs, not because any of them had been found inefficient.

He requested all the people of Kigulu to co-operate with their new chief in order to make the latter’s task easier. He was pleased to notice the reponse of women who had turned up for the occasion in a large number. He said that it was a sign of a uniform development of the country, that women were not being left behind. Then the President of Busoga Lukiiko officially introduced D. Nsobani to the D.C, who again introduce the same to the P.C. The president was pleased with the Government for the cooperative spirit which it showed when it granted the request put forward by the people on 22 May, 1922.  He said the Government was worthy of their confidence, since it fulfilled its promise to D. Nsobani so well after a period of 15 years, 9 months  and 12 days. All the speakers paid much respect  to the good service  Zirabamuzaale rendered to Kigulu throughout that period.

The following were the speeches made on that occasion : 

In his short speech Mr. E.C. Temple-Perkins, P.C. Eastern Province, stated that the Government often endeavoured to please its people so as to make its rule peaceful. In view of that policy, the people of Kigulu had been granted their request by transferririg their chief from Bugweri. He concluded by thanking all the previous speakers for their good words. Mr. D.Nsobani had made a vow to rule justly and efficiently with the cooperation of his people. The P.C. requested him to be true to his vow and endeavour to work as he promised. He promised to submit to the Governor the thanks of all the people of Kigulu. Then he gave special thanks to Mr. Y.M. Zirabamuzaale for the good service he had rendered to the people of Kigulu. He assured the people that Y.M. Zirabamuzaale had to be transferred to Bugweri, not because of any inefficiency but because the Government had to do it in order to comply with the request of the people of Kigulu. Moreover, this transfer was to be effected sooner or later, according to the promise made to Mr. D. Nsobani.

When the meeting was adjourned, some photographs were taken and then the P.C., the D.C., the President and all the Ssaza Chiefs left for Busesa to go and perform a similar ceremony in honour of Mr. Y.M. Zirabamuzaale. After the ceremony, all the saza chiefs returned to Iganga for the grand feast which was prepared by the Abalangira of Kigulu. There was much rejoicing throughout the night. The story thus ends happily with the return of the Ngobi clan into power. Mr. D. Nsobani, son of Katekalusi, and a member of the Ngobi clan, tried to fulfil his vow by ruling justly and efficiently.