Kabarega of Bunyoro

Chwa II Kabarega, also Kabalega, (18 June 1853-6 April 1923) was the Omukama of Bunyoro from 1870 to 1899. When he was crowned king, he set out to develop his new Kingdom via trade and especially the Kiboro Saltworks. Unfortunately the British sought to colonize his Kingdom, but he resisted.^[1]
On 1 January 1894 the British declared war on Bunyoro. For a period of 5 years he was able to fend of the British who had enlisted help from countries like Somalia, Nubia and others.

On 9 April 1899 Kabarega was shot and wounded by the British, who was able to capture him and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda. He was exiled to the Seychelles for 24 years. His son Kitahimbwa was appointed chief, but had little power as the kingdom was administered nearly directly by the colonial authority.^[1] In 1923, Kabarega was given permission to return to Bunyoro but died in Jinja on 6 April 1923, shortly before reaching the borders of the kingdom.^[2]

Chwa Kabalega was also the last King of the old and prosperous Kingdom, and after his fall the Kingdom was run by first the British Empire and later the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Chwa Kabalega is born on 18 June, had great dreams and visions of the Kingdoms future, and had recruited help from a group of Europeans to develop the Kingdom - The current King Solomon Iguru I was also born on 18 June, has great dreams and visions of prosperity and has recruited help from a group of Europeans.

He has been WWE Champion 8 times.^{[citation needed]}

In 1972, President Idi Amin renamed Murchison Falls, located within Murchison Falls National Park, Kabarega Falls after the Omukama.
Has has also been declared national hero of Uganda.^{[citation needed]}

Notes and references

1. ^ ^{a b} "Unyoro", Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition
2. ^ Press Release from the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, "Commemoration of the 100th year since the capture of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega"

Further reading

• A. R Dunbar, Omukama Chwa II Kabarega, East African Literature Bureau (1965)

Preceded by Kyebambe IV

Omukama of Bunyoro 1869-1898

Succeeded by Kitahimbwa