Ndiga Clan Presses for Return of Fabled Buganda Warrior Kibuuka Omumbaale’s Remains

The Ndiga (Sheep) Clan has called on the central government to return the remains of legendary Buganda warrior Kibuuka Omumbaale, currently held at a government facility in Kamwokya, saying the repatriation is vital to restoring cultural pride and cohesion.

Kibuuka Omumbaale, a mythical figure in Buganda’s military history, is revered not only within the Ndiga Clan but across the kingdom for his supernatural combat prowess and loyalty to Ssekabaka Nakibinge during battles against Bunyoro in the 19th century.

“When Kibuuka Omumbaale disappeared, we lost more than a hero—we lost our cultural anchor,” said Chief Elder (Omutaka) Lwomwa Eria Buzaabo.

“His return is critical to restoring the sacred traditions of the Ndiga Clan and honouring our ancestors.”

Clan elders argue that the absence of Kibuuka’s remains has accelerated the erosion of traditional rites and weakened intergenerational bonds.

As part of a renewed effort to revitalise their heritage, the clan has unveiled plans to construct a mausoleum and cultural museum at their ancestral grounds in Mbale, Mpigi District.

The memorial site—estimated to cost over Shs650 million—will serve as the warrior’s final resting place and is intended to become a major centre for heritage education and cultural tourism in Buganda.

Clan leaders have scheduled a fundraising dinner for July 18, 2025, and extended invitations to other clans, framing the initiative as a shared responsibility for Buganda’s collective memory.

“He fought not just for the Ndiga, but for the entire Buganda Kingdom. His return and recognition are a duty we owe him as a united people,” Omutaka Buzaabo added.

According to oral tradition, Kibuuka’s battlefield brilliance was attributed to his ability to fight from the sky, a gift said to have made him nearly invincible.

However, his fate turned tragic when a Munyoro woman he had fallen in love with allegedly betrayed him by divulging his secrets to the enemy.

Kibuuka was ambushed and killed, and his remains were later taken by colonial agents in 1887.

Buganda Kingdom has made repeated attempts to recover the remains, with only partial success.

Clan elders say that despite recent dialogues with government representatives, full repatriation has remained elusive.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Joyce Juliet Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, who also chairs the board of Ndiga Clan Heads, echoed the call for action.

“Kibuuka Omumbaale’s legacy is monumental. He symbolises strength, wisdom, and cultural pride. It’s time we honoured him properly and educated future generations about his heroism,” said Minister Ssebugwawo.

Discussions are ongoing between government officials and the clan’s cultural leaders to establish a formal path for repatriation.

Sources indicate that the clan has submitted a detailed proposal outlining the mausoleum’s purpose and the broader cultural benefits of returning the remains.

If successful, the mausoleum in Mpigi would serve not only as a sacred resting place but also as a living tribute to Buganda’s precolonial resistance and spiritual heritage.

The site is expected to attract pilgrims, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with Buganda’s epic past.

For the Ndiga Clan, however, the call is deeply personal. “This is about honour. About restoring dignity,” said Buzaabo.

“Returning Kibuuka Omumbaale is not a favour—it is a historical correction long overdue.”