Mutesa I of Buganda

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Mukaabya of Buganda (c. 1837 – October 19, 1884) better known by his royal name Mutesa I, was Kabaka of Buganda from October 1856 until his death. During his reign Buganda was visited by Catholic and Anglican Christian missionaries. Mutesa resisted Christianity, largely because the missionaries urged him to ban polygamy. Mutesa himself had many wives. Mutesa was also interested in the growing religion of Islam and, according to the accounts of some Muslim princes, he almost converted yet he did not as the Muslim community of Buganda rejected him due to his refusal to circumcise.

Mutesa was visited by Speke and Grant in February 1862 during the explorers' search for the source of the Nile river (The White Nile).

Mutesa was known for the brutality of his rule. Thousands of his subjects were executed by his orders for minor infractions and mistakes in court etiquette.

[edit] Sources

Alan Moorehead. The White Nile. New York, 1960

Preceded by Ssuuna II

King of Buganda 1856 – 1884

Succeeded by Mwanga II