Kyambogo University to set up museum in honour of Muteesa tree

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CULTURE 

KAMPALA - Kyambogo University says it is going to set up a museum in honour of Ssekabaka Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira. Muteesa, who ruled Buganda Kingdom from 1856 until 1884, was the 30th Kabaka (king).

According to university spokesperson Lauben Twinomujuni, the decision is part of honouring the rich culture that shaped the foundation of education, health sector and political landscape of what is seen in Uganda today.

“Kyambogo University is a centre of education culture because it is us only who teach bachelor's of cultural heritage on top of other cross-cutting bachelors of archaeology and heritage management,” he said.

We were among the universities, which attended the convention of intangible cultural heritage but we shall use such recognition to cement our cultural outlook among the education institutions in the country.

The decision follows Monday night's rainfall during which strong winds felled the monumental tree where Kabaka Muteesa I sat with British explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1875. Stanley was representing Queen Victoria Alexandrina of England.

A 165-year-old tree stood tall with branches stretching towards the sky like outstretched arms with its trunk thick and sturdy as a testament to the many years it had spent witnessing.

Lilian Zawedde, a traditional healer living around Kyambogo University was quick to come to gather religious worship materials called incense (obubaani). (All Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba)

Known to many among the Baganda as the ‘Muwafu’ tree of the conarium tree species was a monumental tree, one that had been there for generations, and had seen the rise and fall of empires, the ebb and flow of history.

“In the late 19th century, the tree had been a silent witness to a significant event. Kabaka Muteesa I sat beneath its shade, pen in hand, and signed a letter inviting missionaries to come and spread the word of God in his kingdom,” Prof. Elizabeth Kyazike, a specialist in archaeology and cultural heritage at Kyambogo University, said.

Henry Morton Stanley, the famous explorer, had been the one to persuade the king to open up his land to the missionaries. He had arrived in Buganda in 1875, fresh from his expeditions in the Congo and had been warmly received by the king.

“Stanley had been amazed by the beauty and richness of Buganda and had seen the potential for the spread of Christianity. He had told the king of the good work that the missionaries had done in other parts of Africa, and had convinced him that they could bring education, healthcare and prosperity to his people,” Kyazike added.

According to Kyazike, the tree was planted at Kabaka’s Banda Hill palace, his first palace before he relocated to Kasubi, Nabulagala.

The King had been hesitant at first, but Stanley's words eventually won him over. He had seen the benefits that the missionaries could bring and had agreed to let them come and establish their churches in Buganda.”

Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the kingdom spokesperson, said it is true that history should be preserved to highlight the progress of Buganda and the country at large.

“This is the confirmation that Kabaka’s education, health and social life contributed a lot to what we are today. It is not just a tree but has lived to be a symbol of our culture, prosperity and resilience to carry the African generation to another level,” he added.

“The missionaries arrived soon after and began their work in earnest. They built churches, schools and hospitals, and spread the message of Christianity throughout the kingdom. They were well received by the people, who were eager to learn and embrace the new religion,” Kitooke revealed.