Condolence message from His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the Kabaka of Buganda, to Kamuswaga Apollo Sansa Kabumbuli II of the Kooki Chiefdom has ignited widespread optimism across Uganda’s cultural heartland.
Shared widely on social media platforms in both Kooki and ‘mainland’ Buganda, the message, delivered in the wake of a prominent Kooki elder’s passing, was read publicly by Owek Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule, the Speaker of Buganda’s Lukiiko (parliament) and, notably, a grandfather to the Kamuswaga.
This deeply personal gesture is being hailed as a significant step toward mending the strained relationship between the two historic entities, offering a glimmer of renewed unity.
“The Kabaka and Kamuswaga are brothers, beyond any of these rumblings and happenings.” Owek Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule said, earning resounding applause from the mourners.
The Kabaka’s message, circulated via posts on Tiktok, X, WhatsApp groups and other platforms, conveys profound sympathy and solidarity with the Kamuswaga and the people of Kooki during their time of grief. “We share in your sorrow as one family, bound by history and heritage,” the message reads in part, invoking the deep cultural ties that have long connected Buganda and Kooki.
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSUsuNqkx/
Delivered through the resonant voice of Owek Mugumbule, whose familial link to the Kamuswaga adds a layer of intimacy, the message has struck a chord, with thousands of shares and comments online amplifying its reach.
The significance of this moment is rooted in the complex history between Buganda and Kooki. In the late 19th century, Kooki, a once-independent kingdom in present-day Rakai District, sought refuge under Buganda’s protection amid external threats.
The 1896 agreement, signed between Kabaka Mwanga II and Kamuswaga Hezekiah Ndawula and witnessed by British colonial officials, formalized Kooki’s integration as a semi-autonomous chiefdom within Buganda. Granted a unique status above Buganda’s other 17 counties, Kooki retained its throne and ceremonial honours, symbolizing a bond of mutual respect and strategic alliance.
However, tensions have simmered in recent decades over interpretations of this accord, particularly regarding land rights, administrative autonomy, and Kooki’s representation in Buganda’s governance. Kooki leaders, including the current Kamuswaga, have pushed for formal recognition, such as a dedicated seat in the Lukiiko, and greater acknowledgment of their distinct status.
Some leaders in Buganda, viewing Kooki as an integral part of its historical territories, have resisted moves perceived as challenging its authority.
By 2018, disputes had escalated, marked by border standoffs, arrests of Buganda officials in Kooki, and halted joint projects. Kooki’s appeals for central government mediation and public spats between Mengo (Buganda’s seat) and Kooki courtiers further strained ties, with Buganda’s Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga decrying “divisive tactics” and Kooki’s Hajji Ahmed Kiwanuka lamenting a lack of respect.
The Kabaka’s condolence, read by Owek Mugumbule carries profound symbolic weight. Social media posts from Kooki residents describe the Speaker’s delivery as “a bridge between generations and kingdoms,” while Buganda netizens have shared clips of the reading, praising the Kabaka’s wisdom in leveraging a family elder to deliver the message. “This isn’t just protocol; it’s a grandfather’s voice carrying a king’s heart,” tweeted
The timing aligns with broader challenges facing Buganda’s cultural institutions, from land disputes in counties like Buruuli to navigating relations with Uganda’s central government. A unified Buganda-Kooki front could bolster efforts in heritage preservation, education, and community development.
“THE 1896 AGREEMENT BETWEEN KOOKI (KAMUSWAGA) AND BUGANDA (MWANGA)
The agreement between Kooki and Buganda in full reads as follows:To all whom it may concern, be it known that the undersigned, Mwanga king of Uganda [Buganda] and Kamuswaga, King of Kooki, have this day made the following agreement:-
Whereas I, Kamuswaga, hitherto independent King of Kooki, I am desirous on behalf of myself, my chiefs and people, that county of Kooki shall become part of the Kingdom of Uganda [Buganda] and be included therein as a new province and thereby enjoy and profit by the advantages secured to that Kingdom through the presence, guidance and assistance of British officials.
And whereas I, Mwanga, King of Uganda [Buganda] with the full concurrence of my government, I am ready and willing that the county of Kooki shall be so included in my Kingdom and its inhabitant become Waganda [Baganda] subjects.
Now, therefore, I Kamuswaga, hitherto independent King of Kooki, hereby declare and make known, on behalf of myself, my chiefs and people that our country of Kooki become from this day forth part and province of the Kingdom of Uganda [Buganda] and passes under the sovereignty of Mwanga, King of Uganda [Buganda].
And I, the said Kamuswaga, do hereby of my own free will and choice surrender my position as an independent King, and recognising myself to be henceforth a subject of the King of Uganda [Buganda], accept and assume the position of a Muganda saza of the first class, whose province shall be Kooki and whose powers, privileges rights, duties, obligations and position generally shall be those of the other Waganda [Baganda] sazas of the same rank.
And I recognise that henceforth the sovereign of Kooki is Mwanga King of Uganda [Buganda] and after him, his heirs and successors.And I recognise further that all treaties, international agreements, laws and regulations of every kind, as well as tribute and other obligations of every kind at the time and the future in force or leviable in Uganda are henceforth similarly applicable stand leviable in Kooki which now becomes an integral part of the kingdom of Uganda [Buganda].
And I Mwanga, king of Uganda [Buganda], hereby pledge myself and my government and my heirs and successors to recognise Kamuswaga, hitherto independent King of Kooki, as a Muganda saza of the first class whose province shall be Kooki, which henceforth becomes part and province of the Kingdom of Uganda [Buganda].
And I the said Mwanga pledge myself, my heirs and successors that the said Kamuswaga shall enjoy all the powers, privileges and rights which belong to the position of a Muganda saza of the first class and further that the welfare and prosperity of the province of Kooki shall be the objects of all our care and solicitude equally with the welfare and prosperity of our Kingdom of Uganda [Buganda].
And we the undersigned Mwanga, King of Uganda [Buganda] and the Kamuswaga, hitherto independent King of Kooki, agree that we will submit this agreement to her Britannic Majesty’s representative in Uganda in order to petition that he, acting on behalf of Her Majesty’s government, may approve it and comfort it;
And we freely agree and recognise that if at any time, any question should arise regarding the interpretation or meaning of this agreement or any part thereof, this English text of the agreement shall be considered true text and Her Majesty’s representative shall be its interpreter, whose decision on any point in question regarding it or any part of it shall be final and binding upon us both, in faith whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals, in public baraza at Kampala this 18th day of November in the year 1896 of Christian era.
Done in duplicate both in English and Luganda at the place and date above mentioned.
Signed:
# Mwanga Kabaka
# Kamuswaga
# Apollo Kagwa
# Stanislaus Mugwanya
Witness to the above signatures
# Kago Pozo
# George Wilson
# Pokino Sebowa
# Mukwenda Yona
# Zakaria Kangawo
# Kabandagara Katikiro of Kamuswaga
# Mugara Sabadu of Kamuswaga.“
