Буганда: История и современность африканского королевства.

Bantu kingdom in central Uganda
Buganda's history includes unification during the 13th century by the first king Kato Kintu, the founder of Buganda's Kintu Dynasty, Buganda grew to become one of the largest and most powerful states in East Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. Before the 12th century, the present day Buganda region was a kingdom known as Muwaawa, which means a sparsely populated place. During the Scramble for Africa, and following unsuccessful attempts to retain its independence against British imperialism, Buganda became the center of the Uganda Protectorate in 1884; the name Uganda, the Swahili term for Buganda, was adopted by British officials. Under British rule, many Baganda acquired status as colonial administrators, and Buganda became a major producer of cotton and coffee. Following Uganda's independence in 1962, the kingdom was abolished by Uganda's first Prime Minister Milton Obote in 1966, declaring Uganda a republic. Following years of disturbance caused by Obote and dictator Idi Amin, as well as several years of internal divisions among Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement under Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda since 1986, the kingdom was officially restored in 1993. Buganda is now a traditional kingdom and so on occupies a largely ceremonial role. Since the restoration of the kingdom in 1993, the king of Buganda, known as the Kabaka, has been Muwenda Mutebi II. He is recognized as the 36th Kabaka of Buganda. The current queen, known as the Nnabagereka or Kaddulubale is Queen Sylvia Nagginda.

Buganda's boundaries are marked by the Tanzanian border in Lake Victoria (Lake Nnalubaale) to the south, the River Nile (River Kiira) to the east, Lake Kyoga to the north, Ankole to the west and River Kafu to the northwest.

The Luganda language is widely spoken in Uganda and is the most popular language in Uganda along with English. Luganda is also widely spoken in and around other countries in East Africa, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. It is even used in South Sudan, mostly for business transactions. Luganda is the most spoken local language in Uganda. Despite all efforts made by different governments to weaken the language, it has survived and is still growing.

Ganda villages, sometimes as large as forty to fifty homes, were generally located on hillsides, leaving hilltops and swampy lowlands uninhabited, to be used for crops or pastures. Early Ganda villages surrounded the home of a chief or headman, which provided a common meeting ground for members of the village. The chief collected tribute from his subjects, provided tribute to the Kabaka, who was the ruler of the kingdom, distributed resources among his subjects, maintained order, and reinforced social solidarity through his decision making skills. During the late 19th century, Ganda villages became more dispersed as the role of the chiefs diminished in response to political turmoil, population migration, and occasional popular revolts.

Buganda currently is divided into 26 districts as of 2021. These are:

Buganda is made up of 18 political divisions called amasaza in Luganda. These are:

Buganda is a constitutional monarchy. The current Head of State is the Kabaka, Muwenda Mutebi II who has reigned since the restoration of the kingdom in 1993. The Head of Government is the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) Charles Mayiga, who was appointed by the Kabaka in 2013. Under the Kabaka, there were three types of chief: bakungu (administrative) chiefs, who were appointed directly by the Kabaka; traditional bataka chieftains; and batongole chiefs, who served as representatives of the Kabaka, charged with "maintaining internal security, supervising royal estates and military duties". The 1900 agreement, however, greatly enhanced the power of the Lukiiko (which had previously been simply an advisory council) at the expense of the Kabaka. While Buganda retained self government, as one part of the larger Uganda Protectorate, it would henceforth be subject to formal British overrule. During Uganda independence, the constitutional position of Buganda (and the degree to which it would be able to exercise self government) was a major issue. before being restored in 1993.

The Baganda have a creation myth that says that the first man on earth (and Buganda in particular) was Kintu. Kintu married Nnambi, the daughter of the god, Ggulu. The Baganda are the descendants of Kintu and Nnambi. According to this myth, Walumbe, Nambi's jealous brother is responsible for all human disease and death on earth. Another brother, Kayiikuuzi tried to protect humans from Walumbe but failed. To this day, Kayiikuuzi is still trying to capture Walumbe from the underground where he hides and take him back home.

In September 2009, some members of the minority Banyala ethnic group led by a recently retired UPDF Captain Isabanyala Baker Kimeze who announced that Bugerere had seceded from the Kingdom of Buganda. The Banyala make up 0.09% of the population of Uganda Because of the resulting tensions, the government of Uganda stopped the Kabaka of Buganda from traveling to Bugerere, leading to riots in the capital Kampala and neighboring districts. Thirty were killed in what came to be known as the Buganda riots.

On July 31, 2022, Buganda unveiled portraits of its former Kings (bassekabaka) based on oral narrations and written histories dating back to the founding of the kingdom.

Buganda had a projected population of about 11,952,600 people in 2021.

As of 2009, there were at least 52 recognized clans within the kingdom, with at least another four making a claim to clan status. Within this group of clans, there are four distinct sub groups, which reflect historical waves of immigration to Buganda.

The largest city in Buganda is Kampala. Others include Masaka City, Entebbe, Nansana, Kira, Makindye Ssabagabo, Njeru and Mukono.

Education in Buganda is divided between Primary, Secondary and Higher Education.

The majority of people in Buganda are Baganda. Other ethnic groups include the Basoga, Banyankole, Bagisu, Bateeso, Bayindi.

There are several religions practiced in Buganda. The largest are Catholicism, Anglicanism, Islam, and the traditional Kiganda religion. Some people practice both traditional religions as well as Christianity or Islam.

The traditional Ganda economy relied on crop cultivation. In contrast with many other East African economic systems, cattle played only a minor role. Many Baganda hired laborers from outside Buganda to herd the Baganda's cattle, for those who owned livestock. Bananas were the most important staple food, providing the economic base for the region's dense population growth. This crop does not require shifting cultivation or bush fallowing to maintain soil fertility, and as a result, Ganda villages were quite permanent. Women did most of the agricultural work, while men often engaged in commerce and politics (and in precolonial times, warfare). Before the introduction of woven cloth, traditional clothing was manufactured from the bark of trees.

Buganda produces a wide variety of agricultural products for local consumption and export. Matooke, beef, poultry, maize and sweet potatoes are some of the key products.

Buganda's main source of energy is hydroelectricity from the Nnalubaale Power Station in Njeru and the Kiira Hydroelectric Power Station on Lake Nnalubaale (Lake Victoria). Smaller thermal power plants operate in Buganda like the heavy fuel oil fired Namanve Power Station in Namanve, Mukono District. Small solar power plants like the Kabulasoke Solar Power Station in Kabulasoke, Gomba District operate in Buganda.

Buganda has several tourist attractions and cultural sites including the Kasubi Tombs, and Ssese Islands.

Transport in Buganda is mainly by road, followed by water transport and rail transport under the Uganda Railways Corporation.

The main airport, Entebbe International Airport, is located at Entebbe. Smaller airstrips exist like the Kololo Airstrip (Kampala Airport) in Kololo, Mutukula Airport in Mutukula, Nakasongola Airport in Nakasongola, Namulonge Airport in Namulonge, and Kajjansi Airfield in Kajjansi.

Several actors and actresses have been very influential in Kiganda drama including Sam Bagenda of the Ebonies, Mariam Ndagire, Aloysius Matovu, Abby Mukiibi, Charles Ssenkubuge, Alex Mukulu, Kato Lubwama, Benon Kibuuka, Nana Kagga, Sarah Kisawuzi, Ashraf Ssemwogerere, Aisha Kyomuhangi, Ahmed Lubowa and Hellen Lukoma.

Kiganda cuisine is dominated by Matooke. The matooke is sometimes prepared as part of Katogo. Modern Kiganda cuisine has been greatly influenced by Indian, English and Arab cuisine. The main dishes are almost always served with stew, soup or sauce.

Historically, Barkcloth was the textile of choice mainly worn by the royals from the days of Ssekabaka Kimera and later everyone else starting with the reign of Ssekabaka Semakookiro. Barkcloth is no longer as popular as it once was and has been replaced with cotton and silk. However, some fashion designers like Jose Hendo, still use it today. Barkcloth is also worn as a symbol of protest, mourning, or both. The traditional dress is the Kanzu for men and the Gomesi for women. However, Western style fashion is very popular these days. Some of the more common hairstyles are Bantu knots (especially Bitutwa), cornrows, Pencil braids (Biswahili), Braids, Crotchets, Weaves and Afros. Some accessories may include necklaces, anklets, earrings, bracelets and waist beads ( or obutiti and they are always worn under ones clothes i. e. undergarments).

Several genres of music are popular in Buganda. Musicians produce traditional Kiganda music, Kadongo Kamu, Zouk, Dancehall and Reggae. Some of the most famous Kiganda musicians and performers are Annet Nandujja, Elly Wamala, Fred Masagazi, Herman Basudde, Paulo Kafeero, Gerald Kiweewa and Willy Mukabya.