The Buganda Kingdom Minister of Information and Mobilisation, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, has called on students to take greater interest in the history and cultural foundations of Buganda, saying understanding one’s origins is essential for identity and nation building.
Kazibwe, who speaks for the kingdom, made the remarks while receiving students from Kibuli Secondary School at the Buganda Kingdom headquarters in Bulange, Mengo, during an educational visit designed to expose learners to the kingdom’s historical and cultural heritage.
The students were welcomed on behalf of the First Deputy Katikkiro and Minister for Administration and Information Communications Technology (ICT), Prof. Twaha Kaawaase Kigongo, alongside the Kingdom Minister for Youth, Sports and Arts, Robert Sserwanga Ssalongo, as part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural education among young people.
Kazibwe took the learners through the early history of Buganda, explaining that the kingdom existed long before the arrival of Kabaka Kintu and was originally referred to as “Muwawa,” a term used to describe a society that was widely dispersed across different areas.
“Where you have come from, you have spent many years in school, but I want to take you back so that you understand these things,” he said.
“You may have heard stories of Kintu and Walumbe, but Buganda existed before Kintu arrived and was known as Muwawa because people were scattered across wide distances.”
He explained that the early inhabitants of Buganda lived in clan-based communities, including indigenous groups such as the Nyange and other early clans, each operating under its own leadership structures before the establishment of a centralised kingdom.
Kazibwe noted that Kabaka Kintu played a key role in unifying these scattered communities by engaging existing clan leaders and integrating both indigenous and incoming groups into a single organised system that formed the foundation of the modern Buganda clan structure.
“When Kabaka Kintu arrived, he worked with the leaders he found already here and brought together the communities into a unified structure that formed the foundation of the clans we have today,” he said.
He added that this process laid the foundation for Buganda’s traditional governance system, including the royal lineage (Olulyo Olulangira), the council of elders, and other administrative structures that continue to guide the kingdom.
Kazibwe also highlighted Busujju as one of the historical areas associated with early discussions and organisation of the kingdom’s governance systems, which shaped its long-term administrative structure.
He urged teachers, especially those teaching Luganda, to take a leading role in ensuring that learners understand Buganda’s history and cultural identity.
“I encourage teachers of Luganda to take time to ensure learners understand these historical foundations so they can appreciate where they come from,” he said.
Speaking during the visit, Kibuli Secondary School teacher Umar Ssengule Mugerwa said the purpose of the excursion was to help students connect classroom learning with their cultural roots and identity.
“We brought the students here so they can understand that Buganda is their mother and appreciate their origins,” he said. “Many students know Kibuli Hill but do not understand its history, which is why we brought them here to learn directly from the source.”
He thanked the Buganda Kingdom for granting access to the embuga and historical sites, noting that such educational visits play an important role in strengthening students’ understanding of heritage and identity.
