CHAPTER 37
MULEMU OF LUGAVE CLAN (KYAMATENDE)
Long ago there lived a man in Bunyoro named Magaya. He had many children, three of whom left his home and came to Busoga. Their names were Kisamo and Bauba. They were later joined by their brother Mulemu, who had also come from Bunyoro.
Mulemu was a restless young man and fond of hunting. He had two dogs named Bakina and Lugabo. They were very useful to him in hunting and he was very proud of them. When Mulemu left Bunyoro to go and join his brothers in Busoga, he had with him his wife named Nabirye and his two dogs. He landed at Kyamatende where his brothers had landed before, in Bugabula. Here he built his mbuga without the knowledge of his brothers. Mulemu lived here permanently and had five sons : -
Magaya who was given a place known as Nambale in Bugabula Kijiki who was given a place known as Nakavule in Bugabula
Mukwata who was given a place known as Kaliro in Bugabula
Lukonda who was given a place known as Itakai-bolu in Bugabula Musumba who succeeded him.
Some people state that before his death Mulemu applied to Kitimbo, the owner of Bugabula, for the area of land which he shared between his sons. This area later became the kingdom of members of Lugave clan. Mulemu died and was buried at Kasozi.
Musumba II who succeeded Mulemu, was a brave fighter. Once a very proud gang of Baganda fighters invaded Busoga and did much damage to property and life in many parts. This gang, which was headed by Kabali, entered Musumba’s country and sought to humiliate the ruler there. Musumba attacked them at once and killed their leader, Kabali, including many of his men. The gang had entered Musumba’s country during his absence, while he was away on a visit to Nsaiga’s mbuga at Maundo; but before he had news of them, the Baganda did much damage in his own mbuga. However, before the vandals were clear of his mbuga, Musunba II fell upon them with a stronger group of fighters and killed many of them, including Kabali, their leader.
Later a charge was made against Musumba in Kabaka Mutesa’s court but Musumba was found not guilty since he had done nothing to deserve such an invasion.
Musumba had two drums of the Lugave clan. The first one was named after Mulemu and was known as Namulemu. This drum was often sounded to warn the people of approaching danger so that they were ready to fight. This was exactly the same as Zibondo’s drum called Namuzwahala, which was sounded to call all the fighters together whenever it was necessary. In fact, throughout Busoga there was a certain sound of drum which connoted a sense of danger to the minds of those hearing it. Whenever it sounded, all people would be obliged to run quickly to the spot and find out what the matter could be. This peculiar sound of drum was known as Mukidi or Okulaya.
In the same way this drum Namulemu was often sounded to warn people of that area of certain danger. This was just like the soldier’s alarm sound on a bugle. On the day that Kabali was killed, the drum Namulemu was sounded. The second drum was known as Musumba Makalu-bambamba and its sound often broadcast peace and everybody in the country could, therefore, be merry.
It is worth noting the following:
1. Musumba, who succeeded Mulemu, was the son of a woman who belonged to Nakigu clan. Musumba moved his mbuga from where his father had built it and took it to Kaliro, where he was buried.
2. Magaya II succeeded his father, Musumba, and he built his own mbuga at Mbale. Magaya I was killed by an army of Baganda who had come to Busoga on the request of Kizindula, who had wished to oust his brother, Lujobyo.
3. Magaya II succeeded his father, Magaya I and he built his new mbuga at Namasiga Lukonko, where he died and was buried.
4. Kyamawa succeeded his father Magaya II.
5. Sekufa succeeded his fathert Kyamawa and he built his mbuga at Namayengere, where he was buried.
6. 7. Alabike succeeded his father Sekufa and he re-built the old Mbuga of Kasozi, where he was buried.
7. Kiziraho succeeded his father Alabike.
8. Kaiso, born of a woman of Banamwase clan, succeeded his father Kiziraho and he built his own mbuga at Nabutambula, where he was buried.
9. Mpambe succeeded his father Kaiso and he lived in his own mbuga of Bufodi.
10. Mwangwa succeeded his father and he lived in his mbuga at Bulija, where he was buried.
11. Mutega succeeded his father Mwangwa and he rebuilt the mbuga of Kasozi.
12. Waiswa succeeded his father Mutega and built his own mbuga at Nanfugaki, where he was buried.
13. Luba succeeded his father Waiswa and built his mbuga at Nalulangaire, where he was buried.
14. Nabundagala succeeded his father Luba and built his own mbuga at Nabutambala, where he was buried.
15. Musumba II succeeded his father Nabundagala. He was a famous fighter and his name went down in history as such. Whenever his peace drum sounded, his people would collect in his mbuga and make an oath to die for him under all circumstances. He would then give them much beer to drink and much food and meat to eat. Musumba II never sat on a stool but often sat on a skin. He was known in many parts of Busoga and Buganda because of his bravery and cruelty. When he died he was buried at Kasozi, which is now known as Bugaya, 17 miles on the Jinja to Kiyunga road.
16. Bwonga succeeded his father Musumba II and built his mbuga at Bugobya, where he was buried.
17. Biwero succeeded his father Bwonga but by that time the chieftainship had lost its independence owing to the small size of the country. It had become a gombolola ruled by Mutuba II Luuka.