| Native Name: | Obukama bwa Bunyoro-Kitara (Nyoro) |
| Conventional Long Name: | Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom |
| Common Name: | Bunyoro-Kitara |
| National Motto: | Habwa Ruhanga n'Ihanga Lyange "For God and My Country" |
| National Anthem: | "Bunyoro-Kitara Anthem" |
| Official Languages: | Runyoro, English |
| Ethnic Groups: | Banyoro,Bagungu |
| Demonym: | Banyoro |
| Capital: | Hoima |
| Largest City: | Hoima |
| Government Type: | Constitutional monarchy |
| Leader Title1: | Omukama |
| Leader Name1: | Solomon Iguru I |
| Leader Title2: | Prime Minister |
| Leader Name2: | Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga Ateenyi |
| Stat Year1: | 17th century |
| Stat Area1: | 80,000 |
| Ref Area1: | [1] |
| Stat Year2: | now |
| Stat Area2: | 16,114.6 |
| Population Estimate: | 1.4 million |
| Sovereignty Type: | Consolidation |
| Sovereignty Note: | 16th century |
| Currency: | Ugandan shilling |
| Currency Code: | UGX |
| Utc Offset: | +3 |
| Calling Code: | 256 |
Bunyoro, also called Bunyoro-Kitara, is a traditional Bantu kingdom in Western Uganda. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Central and East Africa from the 13th century to the 19th century. It is ruled by the King (Omukama) of Bunyoro-Kitara.[2] [3] The current ruler is Solomon Iguru I, the 27th Omukama.[4] [5]
The people of Bunyoro are also known as Nyoro or Banyoro (singular: Munyoro). The language spoken is Nyoro, also known as Runyoro. In the past, the traditional economy revolved around big game hunting of elephants, lions, leopards, and crocodiles. Today, the Banyoro are now agriculturalists who cultivate bananas, millet, cassava, yams, cotton, tobacco, coffee, and rice. The people are primarily Christians.[6]
The kingdom of Bunyoro was established in the early 14th century by Rukidi-Mpuga after the dissolution of the Empire of Kitara.[7] The founders of Bunyoro-Kitara were known as the Babiito, a people who succeeded the Bachwezi.[8]
The kingdom was formed after the collapse of the Empire of Kitara. Later, new kingdoms arose in the Great Lakes area, such as Nkore, Mpororo, Buganda, Tooro, Busoga, Bagisu (in present-day Kenya and Uganda), Rwanda, Burundi and Bunyoro itself. The kingdom rose to power and controlled a number of the holiest shrines in the region, as well as the lucrative Kibiro saltworks of Lake Mwitanzige. Having the highest quality of metallurgy in the region made it one of the strongest economic and military powers in the Great Lakes region.[9] [10]
The king is patrilineal meaning that it is passed down through the male line. This tradition comes from a myth the Nyoro people tell. Once there were three sons of the Mukama, all having the same name. In order to name them, the Mukama asked the God to help him. The boys must go through a series of tasks before being named. The three of them had to sit all night holding a pot of milk. Milk is a sacred drink used for important events. Whoever had all their milk still in the pot by morning would be king. The youngest son dropped the milk and begged his older brothers to give him some of theirs, they did. When morning came the eldest son dropped a little more. When God and the Mukama came to observe the pots, the eldest son was named after the peasants who are not fit for cattle herding since he had no milk left. The middle son was named after cattle herders and the youngest son was named Oukama and later Mukama or king for having the most. This myth shows the ways in which the Nyoro infuses religion and kingship together.[11] [12] [13]
Bunyoro began to decline in the late eighteenth century due to internal divisions. Buganda seized the Kooki and Buddu regions from Bunyoro at the end of the century. In the 1830s, the large province of Tooro separated, claiming much of the lucrative salt works. To the south Rwanda and Ankole were both growing rapidly, taking over some of the smaller kingdoms that had been Bunyoro's vassals.
Thus by the mid-nineteenth century Bunyoro (also known as Unyoro at the time) was a far smaller state, though it was still wealthy due to the income generated from controlling the lucrative trade routes over Lake Victoria and linking to the coast of the Indian Ocean. In particular, Bunyoro benefited from the trade in ivory. Due to the volatile nature of the ivory trade, an armed struggle developed between the Baganda and the Banyoro. As a result, the capital was moved from Masindi to the less vulnerable Mparo. Following the death of Omakuma Kyebambe III, the region experienced a period of political instability where two kings ruled in a volatile political environment.[14] [15]
In July 1890 an agreement was settled whereby the entire Buganda region north of Lake Victoria was given to Great Britain. In 1894 Great Britain declared the region its protectorate. In alliance with Buganda, King Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro resisted the efforts of Great Britain, aiming to take control of the kingdom. However, in 1899 Omukama Kabalega was captured and exiled to the Seychelles, and Bunyoro was subsequently annexed to the British Empire. Because of Bunyoro's resistance to the British, a portion of the Bunyoro kingdom's territory was given to Buganda and Tooro.
The country was put under the governance of Buganda administrators. The Banyoro revolted in 1907; the revolt was put down, and relations improved somewhat. After the region remained loyal to Great Britain in World War I a new agreement was made in 1933[16] giving the region more autonomy. Bunyoro remains as one of the five constituent kingdoms of Uganda, along with Buganda, Busoga, Rwenzururu, and Tooro.[15] [17]
During the first regime of Milton Obote, the Kingdom of Bunyoro initially benefited from regaining the two "lost counties" of Buyaga and Bugangaizi following a 1964 referendum. It was, however, forcefully disbanded in 1967. The kingdom, together with three others, Buganda, Busoga, Tooro, remained banned during the regime of dictator Idi Amin (1971–1979) and the second regime of Milton Obote (1980–1985)[18] and remained banned until 1993.
In 1993[19] the Kingdom was re-established and in 1995 the new constitution of Uganda was made, allowing and recognizing the Kingdoms. The current Kingdom covers the districts of Buliisa District, Hoima district, Kibaale District, Kakumiro District, Kagadi District, Kiryandongo District and Masindi District.
According to 1997 projections, the total population of the Kingdom is between 800,000[20] but there may be 1,400,000 (depending on sources) living in 250,000-350,000 households. 96% of the population lives in rural areas, and only 1% of the population uses electricity for lighting and cooking. More than 92% of the population is poor, and earned less than half that of the Ugandan national average, and about 50% of the population is illiterate.[21] [22]