Brendalynn Kirungi

The confusion about Ssekabaka Mutesa II and the Kisosonkole sisters continues to rage online. Let me try, once again, to clear it up. Kabaka (now Ssekabaka because he is dead) Mutesa II’s real love was Sarah Nalule Kisosonkole. However, following a misunderstanding he had with her, the two fell out. In a petulant fit of pique, and to spite Sarah, Mutesa married her older sister, Damalie Nakawombe Kisosonkole, at Namirembe Cathedral in 1948. He later admitted this in his book, The Desecration of My Kingdom. By virtue of marrying Damalie, she became the Nnaabagereka (first wife) of Buganda. Damalie gave birth to two children: Dorothy Nassolo and Henry Kalemera and both of them are still alive today. Later, Mutesa and Sarah reconciled, and in 1954 Mutesa made Sarah his wife too, something that understandably upset Damalie greatly. To rub salt into Damalie’s wounds, Sarah was also named “Kabejja” (favourite) of all Mutesa’s then more than five wives. Sarah Kabejja gave birth to two boys: Ronald Muwenda Mutebi (born 13.4.1955) and Richard Walugembe (born 22.9.1956). Mutesa died in exile in London in 1969. Sarah died of cancer in 1974 and was buried in Kyaliwajjala, where the Kisosonkole family burial grounds are. Her son, Richard Walugembe, died in 1992 and is buried at Nabulagala, Kasubi. Nnaabagereka Damalie died in 2010 and is buried at Namirembe Cathedral. Today, Sarah’s son, Ronald, is the Kabaka of Buganda. Mutesa's Nnaabagereka, Damalie Nakawombe Kisosonkole, was/is thus not the mother of our reigning Kabaka; it is Kabejja Sarah Nalule Kisosonkole who was/is.