{UAH} Owiny Akullo - the Murusuura commander who defended Kabaleega unreservedly*

*Owiny Akullo - the Murusuura commander who defended Kabaleega unreservedly*

*By Isaac Kalembe Akiiki*

Owiny Akullo was the second and last commander of the Abarusuura after Kabaleega had relieved Rwabudongo of the task. He started with the *Battle of Kijunjubwa* at Masindi in 1898 before relocating to Bukidi (the Kinyoro name for Lango).

Like Acholi, Lango is a British creation. To the Banyoro, Lango is *Bukidi* (the "land of Lakidi", the founding chief of the area).

 Variably called Labongo, Lakidi of the Bakwonga clan, whose totem is *Engabi* (bushbuck) or *Tilenga* in Luo), is the grandfather of the Babiito kings.

It was his daughter, *Nyatwor*, who gave birth to the four brothers: Nyarwa (the first born), his immediate twin brothers (Isingoma Mpuuga Rukidi and Kato Kimera) and Kiiza plus their one sister.

On the other hand, Acholi is traditionally called *Gaanyi* (the "land of the brave men")

In appreciation for Akullo's support, Kabaleega, from his exile in the Seychelles, told his son Tito Gafabusa (who was his PS in exile) to construct a palace for Owiny.

As fate would have it, Tito ascended the throne of Bunyoro-Kitara on April 16, 1924, a few months after the death of his brother *Omukama Andereya Duhaga II Bisereko* (and Kabaleega).

True to his father's wish, Tito, whose throne name was *Tito Winyi IV Gafabusa* (named after Owinyi, but corrupted into Runyoro as Winyi), built the first palace in Lango in 1935.

All the materials used to construct this six-roomed palace were imported from Bunyoro.

Even the soil used for the bricks were got from Mparo royal ground, where Kabaleega was buried.

Suffice to say, Bukidi was one of the 28 counties in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom during Kabaleega's reign.

Kabaleega, and his predecessors, held the Bakidi in highest esteem and the area as sacred 

Accordingly, Kabaleega never appointed any chief to rule over this county. It was directly under him. 

And, he established the biggest market in the Great Lakes region in Bukidi.

Though dead, long live Kabaleega! Long live Akullo!

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ugandans at Heart (UAH) Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ugandans-at-heart/CAJgJtm2poHUrudiEWeP99eb0R%3DaWfvp45v6tGHBXgiL0k5fSFg%40mail.gmail.com.