Buganda: Painting of Kings; Chief Minister explained applications

Buganda: The 29th Anniversary of the King’s Coronation at the Mengo Palace saw the unveiling of 31 painted portraits of the Kings.

The 36th King of Buganda, but of the 35 Kings who preceded him, only five are known to have camera photographs, including; Edward King II; Sir David Chwa II; Daniel Basammulekkere Mwanga II; Muteesa I and Ssuuna II. He added that it is believed that King Miweewa and King Kalema also had camera footage, but it disappeared because both ruled during times of great conflict.

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The Katikkiro said that the Buddhists have been very aware of what their Kings have been like. He cited the example of King Kimera, who said he came from Bunyoro as the first to wear the calf’s skin, and the dress was invented during his reign and became the Buganda garment.

King Mulondo took the throne as a very young child and when he sat in the Buganda Assembly, his mother, who was called Namulondo, raised him so that he could look after the members. His grandparents made him a long chair on which he sat so that the members could see him, and it was named after his mother, Namulondo.

King Kiggala ruled Buganda twice. For the first time, he felt old and called his husbands and chiefs and told them that he had handed over the throne to his son Kiyimba. King Kiyimba signed while his father Kiggala was still alive. The Bugandans refused to seat Kiyimba’s son on the throne and brought back King Kiggala, who ruled in old age and was dragged to the throne.

King Kagulu Tebucweleke ruled Buganda with such cruelty that the time came when the Bugandans were afraid to kick the palace for fear of him.

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King Jjuuko is remembered for his extreme affection, and he loved his wife Nalunga so much that he even gave her onions.

The Katik explained that all the Kabaka of Buganda are described as very beautiful because their mothers were also beautiful.

He added that they were brave and gave the example of King Nakibinge, who was fighting the Nyoro, the spears fell on him, but he decided to fight the spears pointed by his wife Nannono instead of running or hanging.

He said the Kings of Buganda were very hard working and gave the example of King Ssemakookiro, who built the Ndivriwa house at the headquarters of the Buganda Districts and trained the youth in carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery and other trades.

The Katikkiro said they researched and analyzed the history of all the Kings and decided that their written and narrated appearance should be painted and put in pictures so that Buganda could understand them better.

He said the idea was received in 2015 and presented to the King, and he approved it. The work took seven years and was done by two painters Mr Simon Peter Bwanika and Yusuf Wasswa Lumu, who were entrusted with it in.

The Katikkiro said that once the work is completed, it is presented to the Kabaka’s Cabinet and then presented to the Kabaka, and he approves it.

He thanked the King for appreciating the paintings and showing them to the people. He said the portrait of King Ssuuna II was discovered when it was brought to Zanzibar. He also confirmed that what was applied was similar to what was brought.

He thanked the painters, whom he said displayed great skill.