Buddo Coronation Site, Uganda

A short 20-minute drive out of Kampala is the Buddo Coronation Site, where the kingdom of Buganda was birthed.

All coronation ceremonies take place on Buddo Hill. It was on this hill that Kintu, the first king of Buganda, killed his brother, Bemba around the 14th century, declaring himself king. 

In 1993, the coronation of Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Kimera Mutebi II took place at the same site in Naggalabi. This contemporary coronation was attended by thousands of Ugandans as well as international dignitaries. The coronation site has a spectacular panoramic view of the Ugandan countryside .

As a cultural site in Buganda, the Naggalabi coronation site is significant—it comprises of multiple historical houses related to the coronation process. One in particular is the Buganda House. Every king spends nine days in the Buganda House, post-coronation. This period is known as “Enaku ezobwerinde” (days of tension), and is the time when the king determines his cabinet and plans how to govern the kingdom. In addition, the mbonelede tree is important in the coronation ceremonies. Believed to be one of the oldest trees in Uganda, king Kintu had used this in his court, over seven centuries ago. When people pled for mercy, they said, “Mbonelede,” meaning “I have learnt a lesson,” which is how the tree got its name. From then on, the next kings used the same tree as their court, which continued throughout pre-colonization years.

Today, the coronation site has traditional folktale, music, dance performances. In addition, as a tourist attraction, it has picnic sites, and local handicrafts and textiles for sale.

 Visitors exploring the Coronation Site can view the site where Bemba was killed by Kinto, the Buganda House, where the king stays for nine days post-coronation, and the mbonelede tree where the king runs his court (as he used to, pre-colonization).