Lugave Clan is one of the many clans in Buganda Kingdom.[1] Lugave Clan is one of the five clans that were indidgenous to Buganda Kingdom before the coming of Ssekabaka Kato Kintu. Lugave is a Luganda word meaning Pangolin. Members who belonged to the five clans are referred to as Bannansangwa who are the originals. The other Bannasangwa Clans are Fumbe, Ngeye, Njaza, and Nnyonyi Nnyange. The head of the Lugave Clan was called Mukiibi Ssebuko Ssalongo, known at the founding of the Buganda Kingdom.[2] [3]
According to Buganda History, Mukiibi Ssebuko Ssalongo together with his followers played a major role in the forming of the Buganda Kingdom.
Bemba, who is said to have come from the Kiziba area to the southwest of Buganda, invaded and conquered Buganda. He was so cruel and ruthless to his subjects. Mukiibi, who is the Lugave Clan head rebelled against him.[4] This forced Bemba to take over all of Mukiibi's land and properties sending him together with his followers into exile at the Ssese Islands which was close.
Mukiibi while at Ssese, heard of Kintu's force which was preparing to battle Bemba. He decided to join Kintu's invading force making Kintu glad to receive an addition strengthening his force. Mukiibi and Kintu travelled together to Mangira in Kyaggwe after meeting in Jinja, where the two forces were joined.
The two battle forces were finally joined, with Mukiibi among the top commanders, together with his men (Kigave and Nfudu), they fought hard and succeeded in the capturing and killing of Bemba and beheading him. KIntu became the King after the successful battle which marked the start of the Buganda Kingdom and the establishment of the Royal Dynasty that ruled Buganda since then.
Kintu expressed gratitude to Mukiibi and his followers by giving him the privilege of choosing for himself and his children choice pieces of land anywhere in the Buganda Kingdom where they can settle. Mukiibi was also allowed the privilege of planting fig trees (Mituba) for his children in the places they chose to settle (Planting a fig tree was a symbolic recognition of the granting of ownership to the land). This is one of the reasons why Lugave Clan members are scattered throughout Buganda. Mukiibi himself settled at Kapeeka in Busiro. The Crowning mark of Kintu's gratitude was the choice of Mukiibi's sons to be the very first prime minister known as Katikkiro in the Buganda Kingdom. This is the highest office which a non-royal can rise in the Buganda Hierarchy in the Buganda Kingdom.
Having secured the throne for Kintu, Mukiibi settled in an ordinary life routine. He was an enthusiastic hunter who at one time when he was hunting, he found himself at a place called Ssekiwunga near Katende in Mawokota. The beauty of this place enchanted him so he decided to settle there telling his companions that he wants to be buried there on his death. "Wano we ndigwa", meaning "this is where I finally rest", became a frequent saying of his and he was named "Ndigwa" as a result. The name Ndigwa was altered in speech to become Ndugwa, which is now the official title of the head of the Lugave Clan. The main shrine of the Lugave Clan has remained at Katende, Mawokota up to this day. The Main Clan Motto recalls this, the final resting place of the Clan's founding father.[2]
From Mukiibi Ssebuko Ssalongo's time, the office of Ndugwa has been held by the following individuals:[2]
| Clan (Ekika) | Lugave | |
| Totem (Akabiro) | Maleere | |
| Clan Head(Omutaka) | Ndugwa | |
| Clan Seat (Obutaka) | Katende, Mawokota | |
| Clan Envoy (Omubaka w'Omutaka mu) UK & Ireland | Vincent B Mukiibi Lwa Ndugwa, lwa Katende | |
| Slogan (Omubala) | Bwabirya, bw'awoza. Sseruku lulengejja, simanyilunangwira. Bw'ompa akawala ako, ng'ebbanja liwedde. |