NAGGALABI-BUDDO| BUGANDA CULTURE| BUGANDA HOMELAND

In our continuing series on the 25th anniversary since Kabaka Mutebi Ronald

Established back in the 14th Century, Naggalabi-Buddo Hill is the place where the kings (Kabakas) of Buganda Kingdom have always been enthroned for the past 8 centuries including the reigning king Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

As his 25th coronation celebration approaches, many stay to wonder what rituals the crown prince undergoes to be crowned king since not many have access to this site at the kings coronation and also the rituals are quite secretive.

Naggalabi hill top is believed to be the place where the first Buganda king Kintu won a battle for kingship after a fight with his prince brother Bemba thus declaring that all kings be crowned here.

Six kabakas (Kings) of Buganda Kingdom from Kabaka Chwa have gone through the same rituals of coronation at the Site.

However coronation rituals remain a mystery to many but Mukalazi Kimbowa Lawrencio one of the hill caretakers takes us through the bits.

He says the coronation rituals start immediately the deceased king is laid to rest emphasizing that “ Obwakabaka tebusulirawo nga tebulina Kabaka” literally translated as the kingdom at no one instance misses a king.

Mukalazi says, the crown prince chosen starts on the journey to Nagalabi but not through any route but a specific one.
This route is called Nebalamye Mayanja.This road is currently existent along present day Entebbe road after Sseguku.
But, as the crown prince starts on his journey, all the other princes are arrested and locked up in one place to avoid any inconvenience that could come through hijacking the throne by any of the other princes.
Its significance (Nebalamye Mayanja) further stretches to the developments around. However one asks what and why Nebalamye Mayanja means.
“As said earlier that as a crown prince heads for enthronement, he never bypasses a fellow prince or else out of anger could be injured,” Mukalazi explained.
He said that Mayanja had twin princes(traditionally refer to water bodies) with Kato(the junior twin) stretching through SSeguku , Nateete to buloba and Wasswa (senior twin) stretching along Jinja Kalooli, ssenge to Masuulita.
The crown prince’s route therefore had to be a neutral name bypassing these two hence the name “Nebalamye Mayanja” literally translated as “I am escaping/bypassing Mayanja (the twins)”
On the drive to the coronation hill, one can’t miss site of springing up developments that are also complimented by the Entebbe express highway intersection.
However a continued drive reveals parts of a road under construction as you approach the hill with main activities here tending to brick laying and farming.

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// NAKAMANYA LYNETT
Is a passionate tourism marketing consultant that documents attraction facilities and activities carried out in different destinations? Am based in Uganda the Eastern part of Africa and help companies in product development, strategic marketing and encourages sustainable tourism practices. I am also very passionate about culture and ensuring the practices of sustainable tourism practices like the zero plastic.
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