By Mwanguhya Bashir and Andrew Irumba
BUNYANGABU: Hidden beneath dense elephant grass, tangled vines and wild shrubs in Masika Cell, Buheesi Sub-county, Bunyangabu District, lies one of Tooro Kingdom’s most important yet forgotten historical treasures—the royal burial ground of Omukama Rukirabasaija Nyaika Mukabirere Olimi II, the 5th King of Tooro Kingdom and a direct ancestor of the reigning monarch, Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV (Amooti Entale Ya’Tooro)!😂🫡
The ancient royal cemetery, locally known as Egasani, is on the brink of disappearing completely after decades of neglect, prompting local elders and cultural leaders to call for urgent intervention before another priceless chapter of Tooro’s history is lost forever.
Our reporters who visited the site on Tuesday found that the burial site is almost impossible to identify. What should be a revered cultural monument now resembles an ordinary abandoned thicket, swallowed by towering elephant grass, creeping vegetation and thick bushes. There is no fence, no monument, no historical marker and no indication that one of Tooro’s former Kings rests there.
The only visible reminder of its royal significance is a pair of decades old, ageing eucalyptus trees, traditionally planted on royal graves not only to mark the burial site but also to symbolize environmental conservation, a long-standing cultural practice among the Batooro.
“If the kingdom does not act fast, this history will be lost forever,” warned Andrew Irumba, a respected elder from the very village.
A Royal Heritage Slowly Disappearing
The neglected tomb belongs to Omukama Rukirabasaija Nyaika Mukabirere Olimi II, the eldest son of Omukama Kaboyo Olimi I Kasunga Nyamutukura, popularly known as Nyaika Kasunga, the founding King of Tooro Kingdom.
Nyaika Kasunga established Tooro Kingdom in 1830 after breaking away from the Bunyoro-Kitara Empire. He rebelled against his father, Omukama Kyebambe III Nyamutukura, then King of Bunyoro-Kitara, and carved out an independent kingdom that has survived for nearly two centuries.
Mukabirere Olimi II later inherited the throne as Tooro’s fifth king, ruling from 1872 to 1875 during one of the most unstable periods in the kingdom’s history.
His reign was immediately challenged by internal divisions after his brother, Prince Mukarusa, rebelled and proclaimed himself king, temporarily taking control of the Busongora region.
Before the kingdom could recover from the succession conflict, Tooro was invaded by the forces of Omukama Chwa II Kabalega of Bunyoro in 1875. Mukabirere was defeated, captured and deported to Bunyoro where he remained in captivity for nearly twenty years.
Fate appeared to offer him one final opportunity during the 1893–1894 Anglo-Bunyoro War, when combined British and Buganda forces attacked Bunyoro. Amid the chaos, the deposed king escaped captivity hoping to reclaim his throne.
History, however, took a different course. Before he could return to Tooro, Mukabirere died in Buganda in 1894. His remains were later transported home and accorded a royal burial at the Egasani in present-day Masika Cell, Buheesi Sub-county, Bunyangabu District.
Today, the resting place of the once-powerful monarch has itself become a victim of history.
Tourism Potential Left Untapped
Community elders say the continued neglect of royal burial sites denies both Tooro Kingdom and Uganda an opportunity to preserve cultural heritage while developing cultural tourism.
Bunyangabu District alone hosts about four royal burial grounds, including that of Omukama Kaboyo Olimi I Kasunga (Nyaika Kasunga), the founder of Tooro Kingdom, whose tomb at Kibiito-Kadindimo is also in a deplorable state.
Several other royal graves across the kingdom remain unknown to the public, while some have suffered encroachment or complete abandonment.
Cultural tourism experts argue that with proper restoration, documentation, access roads, interpretation centres and conservation, these historic sites could attract both domestic and international visitors interested in the rich history of the Tooro Kingdom.
Besides preserving centuries of royal heritage, such sites could generate revenue for local communities, Tooro Kingdom and Uganda’s tourism industry, while strengthening cultural education for future generations.
Residents are now appealing to Tooro Kingdom, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Uganda Tourism Board and other cultural heritage stakeholders to rescue the kingdom’s historic royal cemeteries before they vanish forever.
Tooro Kingdom Kings (1830–Present)
1- Kaboyo Olimi I Kasunga Nyamutukura (Nyaika Kasunga) 1830–1866. Founder of Tooro Kingdom after seceding from Bunyoro-Kitara under his father, Omukama Kyebambe III Nyamutukura. Established Tooro as an independent kingdom.
2- Kato Rukidi I 1866–1870 Son of the founder who consolidated the young kingdom but faced continued political instability.
3- Kasagama Kyebambe Nyaika 1870–1871. Ruled briefly before internal succession struggles weakened the kingdom.
4-Kakende Nyamuyonjo 1871–1872- His reign was short and characterized by continued competition for the throne.
5-Rukirabasaija Nyaika Mukabirere Olimi II 1872–1875 -Eldest son of the founder. His reign ended after rebellion by Prince Mukarusa and invasion by Bunyoro under Omukama Chwa II Kabalega. Captured, exiled and later died in Buganda in 1894 before reclaiming his throne.
6- Muhangi Kyebambe 1875–1876- Ruled during a period of conflict and political uncertainty following the Bunyoro invasion.
7- Kachope Rwabugumira 1876–1877 Another short reign reflecting continued instability in the kingdom.
8- Kaboyo Olimi II 1877–1879 Attempted to stabilize the kingdom amid persistent succession disputes.
9- Kasagama Kyebambe III 1891–1928- One of Tooro’s longest-serving kings. Restored the kingdom with British support and ushered Tooro into the colonial era.
10- Daudi Kyebambe Kasagama IV 1928–1965- Promoted education, administration and modernization during the late colonial and early independence periods.
11- Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III 1965–1966 Last king before the abolition of traditional kingdoms by President Milton Obote in 1967. Kingdom Abolished 1967–1993 Traditional kingdoms remained abolished until their restoration under President Yoweri Museveni.
12- Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV 1995–Present Crowned as a three-year-old following the restoration of Tooro Kingdom. He is among the world’s youngest monarchs and is the great-great-grandson of Omukama Mukabirere Olimi II, whose royal tomb lies in Masika Cell abandoned and forgotten by his very own great great grand child at the helm, though benefiting from the properties left by all the past kings.
