| Ssekabaka Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira | |
|---|---|
| Kabaka of Buganda | |
Mutesa I |
|
| Reign | 1856 - 1884 |
| Born | 1837 |
| Birthplace | Mulago Hill |
| Died | 1884 (aged 47) |
| Place of death | Kasubi Nabulagala |
| Buried | Kasubi Nabulagala |
| Predecessor | Suuna II of Buganda |
| Successor | Mwanga II of Buganda |
| Consort | He married at least 85 wives |
| Father | Suuna II of Buganda |
| Mother | Namasole Muganzirwazza |
Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, from 1856 until 1884. He was the thirtieth (30th) Kabaka of Buganda.
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He was born at the Batandabezaala Palace, at Mulago in 1837. He was the son of Kabaka Suuna II Kalema Kansinjo, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between 1832 and 1856. His mother was Naabakyaala Muganzirwazza, the Namasole, one of the 148 recorded wives of his father. He ascended the throne upon the death of his father in October 1856. He was crowned at Nabulagala. He established his capital, first on Banda Hill. Later he abandoned that palace and established his capital at Nabulagala.[1]
Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira, is reported to have married eighty five (85) wives [2]
He is reported to have fathered ninety-six children, including:
A detailed list of all of Muteesa I's offspring is contained at the following reference: [3]
Arab and Muslim traders from Zanzibar had been visiting Buganda since the 1840s to trade firearms, gunpowder, salt and cloth in exchange for ivory and slaves. During Kabaka Muteesa I's reign, these contacts continued.
At the same time, contact was made with European visitors for the first time in 1862 when John Speke and James Grant arrived. Their positive accounts attracted more visitors and Henry Stanley arrived in 1875.
The Roman Catholics arrived in 1879, in the person of Father Simon Lourdel Monpel, popularly known as Pere Mapeera and Brother Amans, of the White Fathers.
All three visitor groups were made to believe that Kabaka Muteesa I preferred their religion over the others. They thus wrote favorable reviews back home to their respective governments, encouraging trade and friendly relations. As a result, Buganda, and Uganda were not colonized but were offered status of a protectorate. The manner in which Muteesa I handled these three sets of visitors with competing interests is credited with the development that is enjoyed in the region today. He is credited as the most important of the kings of Buganda, because of his vision and diplomatic skills.[4]
He died at Kasubi Nabulagala on 18 October 1884 at the age of 47 years. He was buried at Kasubi, the first Kabaka to be buried there.[5] In 2007, Muteesa I Royal University was opened in his name, in recognition of his contribution to the education of the people of Buganda and Uganda. The chancellor of the university is Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the current reigning Buganda monarch.
| Preceded by Suuna II Kalema |
King of Buganda 1856 - 1884 |
Succeeded by Mwanga II Basammula Ekkere |