Muteesa I of Buganda

Ssekabaka Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira
Kabaka of Buganda
Mutesa I
Reign	1856 - 1884
Born	1837
Birthplace	Mulago Hill
Died	1884 (aged 47)
Place of death	Kasubi Nabulagala
Buried	Kasubi Nabulagala
Predecessor	Suuna II of Buganda
Successor	Mwanga II of Buganda
Consort	He married at least 85 wives
Father	Suuna II of Buganda
Mother	Namasole Muganzirwazza

Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, from 1856 until 1884. He was the thirtieth (30th) Kabaka of Buganda.

Claim to the throne

He was born at the Batandabezaala Palace, at Mulago in 1837. He was the son of Kabaka Suuna II Kalema Kansinjo, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between 1832 and 1856. His mother was Naabakyaala Muganzirwazza, the Namasole, one of the 148 recorded wives of his father. He ascended the throne upon the death of his father in October 1856. He was crowned at Nabulagala. He established his capital, first on Banda Hill. Later he abandoned that palace and established his capital at Nabulagala.^[1]

Married life

Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira, is reported to have married eighty five (85) wives ^[2]

Offspring

He is reported to have fathered ninety-six children, including:

• Kabaka Danieri Basammula-Ekkere Mwanga II Mukasa, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned from 1884 until 1888 and from 1889 until 1897, whose mother was Naabakyaala Abisaagi Baagal'ayaze.
• Kabaka Kiweewa Nnyonyintono, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between September 11, 1888 and October 21, 1888, whose mother was Kiribakka.
• Kabaka Kalema I Muguluma, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned from October 21, 1888 until October 5, 1889, whose mother was Ndibuwakanyi.

A detailed list of all of Muteesa I's offspring is contained at the following reference: ^[3]

His reign

Arab and Muslim traders from Zanzibar had been visiting Buganda since the 1840s to trade firearms, gunpowder, salt and cloth in exchange for ivory and slaves. During Kabaka Muteesa I's reign, these contacts continued.

At the same time, contact was made with European visitors for the first time in 1862 when John Speke and James Grant arrived. Their positive accounts attracted more visitors and Henry Stanley arrived in 1875.

The Roman Catholics arrived in 1879, in the person of Father Simon Lourdel Monpel, popularly known as Pere Mapeera and Brother Amans, of the White Fathers.

All three visitor groups were made to believe that Kabaka Muteesa I preferred their religion over the others. They thus wrote favorable reviews back home to their respective governments, encouraging trade and friendly relations. As a result, Buganda, and Uganda were not colonized but were offered status of a protectorate. The manner in which Muteesa I handled these three sets of visitors with competing interests is credited with the development that is enjoyed in the region today. He is credited as the most important of the kings of Buganda, because of his vision and diplomatic skills.^[4]

The final years

He died at Kasubi Nabulagala on 18 October 1884 at the age of 47 years. He was buried at Kasubi, the first Kabaka to be buried there.^[5] In 2007, Muteesa I Royal University was opened in his name, in recognition of his contribution to the education of the people of Buganda and Uganda. The chancellor of the university is Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the current reigning Buganda monarch.

Succession table

Preceded by Suuna II Kalema

King of Buganda 1856 - 1884

Succeeded by Mwanga II Basammula Ekkere

External links

• Genealogy of Kabakas of Buganda
• List of Kings of Buganda

See also

• Banda Hill
• Kabaka of Buganda
• Muteesa I Royal University

References

1. ^ The Palaces of Kabaka Muteesa I
2. ^ The wives of Kabaka Muteesa I
3. ^ The Offspring of Kabaka Muteesa I
4. ^ Biography of Muteesa I
5. ^ Kabaka Muteesa I is buried at Kasubi

Persondata
Name	Muteesa I of Buganda
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1837
Place of birth	Mulago Hill
Date of death	1884
Place of death	Kasubi Nabulagala