Ngeye Clan

Ngeye Clan is one of the many clans of the present day Buganda Kingdom. Ngeye is a Luganda word which means Colobus Monkey. The Clan Leader is given the title Kasujja and the current Kasujja[1] is Omutaka Kyesimba Kakande Kibirige Sheba . Engeye is one of the clans Kintu found already established in Buganda Kingdom. Bakazirwendo Ssemandwa is the grandfather of the Ngeye Clan.[2]

Origin

After Kintu had overthrown Bemba, he could not be crowned King without a wife from Buganda which was a law of the Buganda land. He then went to Kiwumu, Bumpenje in Busiro to the home Bakazirwendo Ssemandwa to seek hand in marriage of his beautiful daughter Nambi Nantuttululu. Despite the clan descending from Bakazirwendo, the clan head is not addressed by that title. After being banished from Bunyoro Kingdom, Prince Kalemeera left with his maternal uncle Kyesimba, son of Bakazirwendo who was a specialist in treating fever. He had treated Kings and chiefs before which was a reason why he went with because of his expertise in curing of fever.[2]

After Kalemeera passed on, Kyesimba became Prince Kimera's medicine man. He was also among the people who escorted him to be crowned King in Buganda from Bunyoro Kingdom.His wide knowledge in medicine and ability to cure fever, Kimera gave him the name Kasujja meaning fever and a village Busujja because of treating the disease well. Kyesimba was a favourite of Kabaka Kimera due to the long history they shared. When Kyesimba 's father Bakazirwendo noticed this friendship, he handed the clan over to his son as an honor of the friendship.[2]

Totem and symbols

The primary totem(omuziro )of the Ngeye clan is the colobus monkey( Engeye), while its secondary totem(akabiro) is Kkunguvvu, another monkey species.[3] Totems serve as symbols of unity, ancestry, and cultural identity in abauganda society, and clan members traditionally avoid harming or eating their totem animal[4]

The clan motto ( omubala) is'' Tatuula tatuula asuulumba busuulumbi, ttutu lifumita likyali tto''[1]

Clan Role

The official duty of the Ngeye Clan was to supply the Kabaka with a Chief butler who was called Ddumba and a man in charge of the King's drinking water called Kalinda. Unfortunately Kalinda was put to death when the King died. They also supplied the King with the Royal Potter called Ssedagala who made the King's cooking pots.[2]

Clan leadership

The clan head carries the title Kasujja, a hereditary position passed down generations.[1] The current clan head is Omutaka Kasujja Kyesimba Kakande Kibirige Sheba[1]

The Kasujja oversees clan affairs, preserves cultural traditions, and represents the clan in Buganda's traditional governance system.[4]

Clan headquarters

The clan headquarters is located at Busujju, Busiro County, Buganda Kingdom.[5]

Clan headquarters serve as cultural centers where clan meetings, ceremonies, and ancestral rituals are held.[5]

Kalule, Kibirige, Nnaluswa, Ssebunya, Ssebugenyi, Mugga, Muyingo, Kakande, Buwembo, Kalungi, Kasimbi, Settaala, Kasule, Ggingo, Ssemakalu, Kawooya, Bagenda, Kirumira, Kisuule, Ssebayigga, Kalimbwe, Kabuye, Ggoli, Lutwama, Kajimu, Kirunda, Luyombo, Mpoza, Kattante, Ssenfuka, Kayaye, Nalwasa, Namungo, Majanja, Mukono, Kayiza ,Kalungi, Kabuyaga, Lukenge, Kakande

Nanfuka, Nakayiza, Nabunnya, Nambajwe, Nambirige, Namugga, Nalukenge, Nakitto, Nakakande, Nabuwembo, Naggayi, Nakabuye, Nakawooya, Nampoza, Nannungi, Nattabi, Nakubulwa, Namazzi, Nakayiza,

Cultural significance

The clan system remains central to Buganda culture, regulating social relations, preserving genealogy, and supporting traditional governance.[4]

Information about Ngeye clan

Totem Engeye (Colobus monkey)
Co-totem / Secondary totem Kkunguvvu
Clan head Kasujja
Clan seat/Clan headquarters Busujja in Busiro
Clan slogan / drum beat Tatuula..tatuula asuulumba busuulumbi...ttutu lifumita likyali tto
The current Kasujja is Kyesimba Kakande Kibirige Sheba
The Engeye clan Anthem[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Ngeye Clan". Buganda Kingdom. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ngeye Clan". Buganda. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  3. ^ African, Being. "Clans and Totems in Buganda Culture". BeingAfrican. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  4. ^ a b c "Clans Archive". Buganda Kingdom. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  5. ^ a b M, Isaac. "Ngeye". www.obutaka.com. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  6. ^ Obutaka (2021-10-26). Oluyimba lw'Ekika ky'Engeye | Ngeye Clan Anthem Version 2. Retrieved 2026-02-26 – via YouTube.
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