@art.world.ug: *Kabaka of Buganda* is the traditional king of the Buganda kingdom in Uganda — one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa, dating back to the 14th century. *1. Early Kingdom (1300s - 1800s)* - Buganda started as a small chiefdom founded by Kintu around the early 1300s. - It grew by conquest and clever organization, becoming the most powerful kingdom around Lake Victoria by the 1800s. - The Kabaka was an absolute monarch — political, military, spiritual leader. Succession was not father-to-son automatically; any son of a Kabaka could become king. *2. Arrival of outsiders* - *Mid-1800s:* Arab traders, then British explorers and Christian missionaries arrive during the reign of *Kabaka Muteesa I (1856-1884)*. He played them against each other to keep Buganda independent. - His son *Kabaka Mwanga II (1884-1897)* faced religious wars between Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. He is infamous for ordering the execution of Christian converts — now known as the Uganda Martyrs. *3. British colonial era* - In 1900, Buganda signed the Buganda Agreement with Britain. It kept its kingdom status but under British protectorate rule. - Famous Kabakas like *Daudi Chwa II* (a child king) ruled with regents. *4. Modern era & independence* - *Kabaka Muteesa II (1939-1969):* Buganda's most famous modern king. He was also the first President of independent Uganda (1963-1966). - In 1966, Prime Minister Milton Obote abolished all kingdoms, exiled Muteesa II, who died in London in 1969. *5. Restoration* - Kingdoms were banned for 27 years. - In *1993*, under Museveni's government, kingdoms were restored but as cultural institutions, with no political power. - *Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II*, son of Muteesa II, was crowned as the *36th Kabaka* on July 31, 1993. He is the current Kabaka. Today the Kabaka lives at Mengo Palace in Kampala and heads cultural affairs for over 6 million Baganda people — handling land, culture, and development projects, but not national politics.

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Friday 25 September 2026 10:35:00 GMT