Brief: Buganda kingship

Kingship refers to the position or office of a king, often involving the leadership and governance of a kingdom or state.

Buganda Kingship is one of the most prominent and historically significant monarchies in Uganda. The Kingdom of Buganda is located in the central region of Uganda and was one of the most powerful and influential pre-colonial kingdoms in East Africa. The king of Buganda is known as the Kabaka, a title that signifies his role as both the political and spiritual leader of the kingdom.

The kingship of Buganda is believed to have originated with the arrival of Kintu, who came to the region from northeast and seized power from the clan heads, crowning himself the head of all clans Ssaabataka.

According to the Kiganda tradition, Kintu is the founder of Buganda and he came from the direction of Mount Elgon around 1314 AD via Bugisu, Budama, Busoga, and finally to the shores of Lake Victoria to present-day Buganda.

He is said to have come with thirteen or fourteen of the present-day clans of Buganda.

The Abalasangeye dynasty came to power through the conquests of Kabaka Kintu, which are estimated to have occurred sometime between 1200 and 1400 AD.

This is the linkage of Buganda kings.

Kintu: The first known king who established the kingdom around 1300 AD.

Kimera: Ruled from around 1374 to 1404.

Ttembo: Ruled from around 1404 to 1434.

Kiggala: Ruled from around 1434 to 1464 and again from around 1484 to 1494.

Kiyimba: Ruled from around 1464 to 1484.

Kayima: Ruled from around 1494 to 1524.

Nakibinge: Ruled from around 1524 to 1554.

Mulondo: Ruled from around 1555 to 1564.

Jemba: Ruled from around 1564 to 1584.

Suuna I: Ruled from around 1584 to 1614.

Sekamaanya: Ruled from around 1614 to 1634.

Kimbugwe: Ruled from around 1634 to 1644.

Katererega: Ruled from around 1644 to 1674.

Mutebi I: Ruled from around 1674 to 1680.

Juuko: Ruled from around 1680 to 1690.

Kayemba: Ruled from around 1690 to 1704.

Tebandeke: Ruled from around 1704 to 1724.

Ndawula: Ruled from around 1724 to 1734.

Kagulu: Ruled from around 1734 to 1736.

Kikulwe: Ruled from around 1736 to 1738.

Mawanda: Ruled from around 1738 to 1740.

Ndugwa I: Ruled from around 1740 to 1741.

Namuggala: Ruled from around 1741 to 1750.

Kyabaggu: Ruled from around 1750 to 1780.

Jjunju: Ruled from around 1780 to 1797.

Semakookiro: Ruled from around 1797 to 1814.

Mutesa I: Ruled from 1856 to 1884.

Mwanga II: Ruled from 1884 to 1888 and again from 1889 to 1897.

Daudi Chwa II: Ruled from 1897 to 1939.

Edward Mutesa II: Ruled from 1939 to 1966.

Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II: The current king, ruled since 1993.