The Bachwezi powers

Feb 29, 2020

Talking about the Bachwezi who mysteriously disappeared, researcher James Tumusiime said there’s remains a mystery to the world.

Vehicles destined to Biharwe Hill to launch the 500 Eclipse anniversary celebrations slid, got stuck in the mud and had their engines silent.

Residents and visitors jumped out of the air-conditioned cars and paved the way with stones, grass, and logs to harden the earth on February 27.

"Traditional healers in the neighbourhood say the gods are angry with us ordinary mortals," said John Kaahwa a resident. "We are supposed to sacrifice a bull, goats, and sheep to appease them or we will continue suffering the effects of climate change."

He said besides the recent threat of locusts and Coronavirus people have  braved floods, droughts, and other diseases.

Talking about the Bachwezi who mysteriously disappeared, researcher James Tumusiime said there's remains a mystery to the world.

"But what historians know is that Buganda, Ankole and Toro kingdoms owe their roots to the Bachwezi dynasty," said Tumusiime.  "They were the founders of Bunyoro Kitara which expanded to DR of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. They were demigods and worshipped by ordinary mortals till the 16 Century."

 

Picture by Titus Kakembo


Tumusiime revealed this during the launch of celebrations of the 500 anniversary of the eclipse symbolized by a monument on Biharwe Hill in Mbarara.

"They were headed by Ndahura and Wamala," narrated Tumusiime. "Their empire collapsed after the death of a darling cow called Bihogo. "Like prophesy had it then, the Luo under the leadership of Isingoma Rukiidi overpowered the Bachwezi who had suffered famine and diseases."

Thereafter, they split into independent kingdoms of Buganda, Busoga and Ankole. Nonetheless, conservative citizens believe the Bachwezi still exists in the underworld.

Addressing the audience, the UNDP Country representative Elsie Attafah, tipped the Uganda government that trends have it that it is such roots that awe tourists and attract them in droves.

"Attractions like mammals, reptiles, and birds can be found in different countries," said Attafah. "But this one is only found here. 

Such attractions can be used to eradicate poverty, boost incomes and create employment opportunities for the populace to enable Uganda to attain the desired Millenium Development Goals." 

 

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