THE FORGOTTEN RESTING SITE FOR OMUKAMA OF BUNYORO

Are you interested in extra-ordinary cultural experiences but you do not know where to go for a cultural safari in Uganda? Situated in Central Uganda, Southeast of Dyango and Lubato-Nambesa and west of Ggambirana comes the Mpumudde hill at altitude 1223 meters. Mpumudde hill is a famous historical and cultural site where the late Omukama of Bunyoro-Kabalega rested from. Kabalega became one of the popular Ugandans to oppose colonialism and it is believed that he died while returning to Bunyoro after serving his exile term in Kenya. He passed on at about 86 years back, a time when Busoga Kingdom was awe stricken and hundreds of locals carried stones to mark the hill where he passed on. The word Mpumudde in Ganda denotes “I have rested!” It is believed that Kabalega when urged to move on, told his friends in local language (Kinyoro) that “Mpumwire”-I have rested. Up to date this exceptional hill is termed as Mpumudde. The hill belongs to the Busoga Kingdom and it is on this same hill that the chiefs of Busoga made a small cairn of stones in to commemorate the British Administrator Mr. F. Spire.

Most culturalists and anthropologists view this extra ordinary site as a potential tourist attraction that would generate Busoga a lot of revenue each year although there are no sign posts to direct anyone to this remarkable cultural spot. On its peak you will find a multi colored dilapidated monument which is constructed with fired blocks and parts of it plastered. Behind the monument there is a heap of stones covered under lantana camara shrubs and a tall mutuba tree stands out. Mpumudde lies about 2 kilometers away from Kamuli Road in Jinja Municipality. Kabalega and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda fought colonial occupation in the late 19^th century. Kabalega had staged an eight year guerilla war but due to their patriotic efforts, the British forces captured them on April 4^th 1899 in Dokolo, Northern Uganda in the house owned by Langi chief. Upon their capture, the two were exiled to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean where Mwanga passed on in 1903.

Kabalega remained in captivity for several years till he was allowed to come back. But unfortunately, while on his return journey to Bunyoro in 1923, he became sick in Jinja as a result of Malaria and fatigue. His servants who used to carry him on the shoulders decided to climb what came to be known as “Mpumudde hill to permit the King to rest and resume his safari later. The unfortunate bit of it is that Kabalega’s conditions worsened while on the hill’s top. The bodyguards then carried his body to Namasagali landing site on Lake Kyoga which is approximately 80 kilometers from Jinja. They transported Kabalega’s body by canoe to Masindi from where they again carried the body up to Mparo, Hoima where he was laid to rest.

Mpumudde hill seems to be forgotten especially from the 1970s but some elders and cultural leaders of Busoga still regard it with much reverence due to the spiritual powers attached to it and interestingly the Kyabazinga also originated from Mpumudde. At the time when the government restored monarchies in 1996, the Busoga royals turned the hill into the coronation site for the Kyabazinga Henry. It is on this hill still that the king’s witch doctors cleanse the Kyabazinga during coronation. During such rituals each of the eleven chiefdoms constructs a grass thatched hut on the hill and then slaughter goats, sheep, chicken and many more animals and sprinkle the blood around. Kabalega’s spirits perform miracles. Besides fighting the British, it is also evident that in Busoga Kabalega is viewed as a man of fortunes. It is a healing hill to most residents, and most women have been sighted trekking from far to visit the hill for cleansing and after their prayers are answered, they come back and slaughter chicken and goats for the residents.

In conclusion, when it comes to cultural safaris in Africa, Uganda is exceptionally a boiling pot of cultures. The Mpumudde hill features as one of the most rewarding cultural spots that you shouldn’t miss to visit in Busoga while on your safari to Uganda.