The Old Buganda

In the past, Buganda had developed into a fairly stable nation, having evolved from a 'bare land' (Muwawa) to become a united entity with cohesive administrative divisions.

One of the factors that favoured stability in this land was the division of power between the Monarchy and the clan leaders. At the summit was the Kabaka (King) with absolute power, assisted by his chiefs in territorial administration, and the clan leaders, entrusted with cultural authority. Buganda thus achieved internal stability as there was no fighting between the different clans and counties.

Relations between Buganda and her neighbours ranged from being peaceful to troublesome. At times, there was amiable trade and exchange of goods and expertise but on other occasions these neighbours were at war, seeking territorial expansion and looted wealth. Wars between Buganda and Bunyoro are well known and we also recall Buganda's incursions into Busoga and Kiziba, by the coming of the White man.

The Coming of Foreigners

At the beginning of the 19th century (1800 AD), foreigners, including Arabs and Swahili (Wangwana) as well as Europeans, who had heard about Buganda's fame, were eager to visit the Kabaka.

The Religious Wars

The presence of foreign religions preached by people of different origin led to crisis in the land. It all began with debates on religious matters at the King's court and in chiefs' enclosures, with each party claiming to have brought the true religion of the Creator.

These differences directly affected the Ganda Monarchy. Mwanga II eventually grew hostile to all new religious factions and was deposed on 10/10/1888. The religious wars shook the Baganda and their clan-order for about ten years, ultimately leading to Mwanga's exile and the succession of his one-year-old son, King Daudi Chwa Bukaajumbe, on 14/08/1897.

Sharing Counties, Chiefships and Clan Leadership

Captain Frederick Lugard arrived in Buganda in 1891 on behalf of the Imperial British East Africa Company, tasked with reorganising a country that was soon to be part of the British Empire.

"Rafael Kawuma became the Nnamwama (Kkobe Clan Head)" - appointed in April 1893, marking the beginning of the leadership crisis in the Kkobe Clan.

Usurpation of Legitimate Clan Authority

From the first Nnamwama, Nsereko Kalamazi, in the days of King Kintu, to the current one, Augustine Kizito Mutumba, the Kkobe Clan has had 40 'Nnamwamas'.

Kkobe Clan Leadership Cases

Due to various developments, Kyana's Supra Royal Lineage lost its legitimate right to the Nnamwanma-ship when it was usurped by persons belonging to the Sub-clans, whereas clan norms prohibit them from holding this top office.