The Legend of Ndahura, First Muhuma/Muhima King of Kitara
When Ndahura took the throne, the surrounding areas were said to be in a state of rebellion against Bukuku. Ndahura launched a series of campaigns and set out to acquire allies.
He turned north wards from where he brought his relatives and their cattle into the Kingdom. These people became Ndahura’s military supporters in the expansion of the Kingdom. Ndahura embarked on military campaigns which extended the boundaries of the Kingdom.
His first campaign was waged against Nsinga, a chief of Bugoma to the west, who had previously rebelled against Bukuku and was reputed to have used witchcraft against Ndahura. It is said that Ndahura removed Nsinga’s crown of red feathers and substituted it with one of grass before executing him by casting him off the escapment into lake Mwitanzige (Albert).
An impressive series of campaigns followed the subjugation of Bugoma. Ndahura is said to have led successful campaigns north to Buruli and south to Karagwe, Nkore, Bukuma and Rwanda. In the campaign against the Madi country, Ndahura’s son called Kiro Muhimba captured black cattle and an eight legged stool. After the campaign he returned via the western bank of Lake Mwitanzige (Albert), through Toro and Busongora. When Kiro reached Busenya he heard the sound of his father’s drum. He played his and Ndahura heard its sound. Kiro ordered his people to clear the forest called Kakiromba so that he could reach his father.
He met his father and gave him the eight legged stool and together they went back to Mubende via Nkoni.
Other campaigns remembered were those to the east to Buganda where Ntege was ousted and Kyomya made paramount chief.
Beyond Buganda to Busoga and around the shores of Lake Victoria to Sukuma country.
Further account shows that, the Kitara claim that Ndahura’s campaigns extended into western Kenya are not idle boasts.
In central Nyanza (Kenya) there is one group, the Wanga, whose institutions of Kingship are linked in tradition with a pastoral ‘Muhima’ who arrived from western Uganda and dominated the agricultural peoples of the region.
He came with copper bracelets and sacred spears, which were the main features of the Bacwezi of Kitara. The bracelets came to be used in conferring legitimacy upon the Wanga Rulers.
Through these campaigns Ndahura established the Bacwezi as the virtual rulers of the interlacustrine region.
At this time Ndahura is said to have become restless and began an expedition against Kyaihangiro (Tanganyika) where Bwirebutakya was the ruler. In a tough battle which followed, Bwirebutakya threw darkness over Ndahura’s Army.
Ndahura was captured. A few of his soldiers who managed to escape, made reports back to the Bakitara. On hearing the bad news the people decided that Kyomya takes over the throne. Kyomya refused and decided to go and look for his brother.
Mulindwa a half brother of Ndahura was left on the throne.
After spying in Kyaihangiro, Kyomya managed to reach Ndahura’s captives and stole him from Bwirebutakya’s palace.
The people welcomed the King, but Ndahura declined the throne on account that he had already served as a servant in exile. Wamara his eldest son became the new King.
Ndahura moved away from Kitara. He went to Kibaale in Buyaga, moved to Kitagweta, passed Kijuma and reached Butara. He built a hut and there are marks to that effect today. They are called Obwaro Bwenaku (a sleeping place for the poor).
He then travelled to Muhumba, reached Toro and stayed at Bulembo where he dug wells called Bijongo. He later moved to Butanka, Rwagimbo to Rwisamba. He settled near lake Busongora and dug a big well for his cows called Kikorongo.
Ndahura’s mother Nyinamwiru followed her son and together they settled at Irangara. Here they spent the rest of their lives before vanishing from the face of the earth.