Naggalabi Coronation Site of Buganda Kingdom
Naggalabi coronation site is located on Buddo hill in Busiro county 14 kilometers south west of Kampala in Wakiso district. Buddo hill is known as Nnaggalabi Buddo and it’s also where the elementary middle and high schools of Kings College Buddo are found and it’s also where the Buganda Kings school from starting with Kabaka Daudi Chwa II the 34th King of Buganda who reigned from 1987 to 1839.
Naggalabi Buddo is the site where the kings of Buganda kingdoms known locally as kabaka’s have been crowned since the 14th century. It is said that it’s the Buganda succession ceremonies takes place at Buddo hill because it’s where Bemba who was the brother of Kintu claimed for the throne and declared himself as the king in the 13th century after killing his brother Kintu.
Naggalabi coronation site is very important cultural site and respected by the Baganda. The site has different houses which are important historically during the coronation of the Buganda kings. During the coronation of the current Kabaka Ronald Kimera Mutebi II in 1993 at Naggalabi coronation site was attended by a big number of people celebrating welcoming the new King
At Naggalabi there is one of the house known as the Baganda house where the prince spends nine days after being crowned king which is the a culture done by all the kings after their coronation and this period is known as the days of tension locally termed as Enaku ezobwerinde . During the nine days of tension, women are not allowed to be in the area until the king completes the nine days. He also makes strategies on how to run the affairs of the kingdom and selects his cabinet.
Naggalabi Buddo hill has a tree known as Mbonelede tree meaning I’ve learnt a lesson which is said to have been used as a court during the reign of Kabaka Kintu. This tree is large with long branches bending to the ground from the top is in an umbrella like shape which is believed to be one of the oldest trees in the country. During court sessions, people used to plead for mercy under this tree which led to its name and later the following kings after Kintu also used it.
Naggalabi Buddo is a 20 minutes drive out of Kampala along Masaka Road, the left turn on a sharp bend that leads to Kings college Buddo – Naggalabi Buddo is a few metres past Kings College Buddo.
