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December 5, 2018Every important cultural site in Buganda Kingdom is worth exploring during a cultural tour and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site is one of the places to appear on your itinerary. With its picturesque views over the surrounding countryside, this site is one of the most important and beautiful places you will ever visit in Buganda and Uganda in general.
This is the place where the Kings (locally known as Kabakas) of Buganda Kingdom are crowned and this has been done for 700 years. Buddo Hills has continuously been considered an important site because it’s where most Buganda ascension ceremonies are conducted and is interestingly where Kintu-the first King of this Kingdom murdered his blood brother-Bemba and later declared himself the ruler in the 13th Century.
If you are familiar or updated with the affairs of Buganda Kingdom, you will be probably aware that even the current King-Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II was first coronated at Naggalabi Buddo on 31st July 1993 in a ceremony attended by thousands of people. A visit to the site will introduce you to the different houses and structures that are crucial in the coronation of the Kings.
The Mbonelede Tree, one of the largest and oldest trees with long branches in Uganda is where King Kintu placed his court and the braches bend to the ground from the top hence forming an umbrella-like shape. It is said that during court sessions, defendants pleaded for mercy from the King by saying “Mbonelede” meaning “I have learnt a lesson” and that’s where the tree got its name. Also, subsequent Kings used the same site as their courts.
The Buganda house is where the Crown Prince spends up to 9 days after being crowned and surprisingly, no man within the area is allowed to touch or make love to a woman until the King finishes the nine days here and the time is known as “enaku ezobwerinde” meaning days of tension. During this time, he reflects on strategies of reigning and chooses cabinet members to run the affairs of Buganda Kingdom. The ant-hill is another must-visit site here because it is said to be the point where Bemba (Kintu’s brother) fell after being speared by Kintu.
Exploring the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site means you will be able to listen to some of the mysterious ancient stories concerning Buganda Kingdom, enjoy traditional music, dance and drama performances, participate in hand-craft making and take part in picnics.
How to get there
The Naggalabi Buddo Coronation site is found in Busiro County, 11 kilometers and 20 minutes drive from Kampala City Center along the Kampala-Masaka road where you will drive through the lively Kyengera Center and when you reach the main road at Nakasozi, you will turn from the main tarmac road and proceed for another 2 kilometers along the murram road, before reaching King’s College Buddo, one of Uganda’s most reputable schools.
It is therefore without doubt that the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site is one of the important cultural sites in Buganda Kingdom but also offers chances of relishing the interesting cultural experience that defines the Kingdom’s leadership.
