However, the only prince forbidden from doing this is Kiweewa, the firstborn son of the Kabaka. This is because Buganda doesn’t have a crown prince system. All princes, apart from Kiweewa, are eligible to become Kabaka.
When the reigning Kabaka dies, the most important ritual is laying a barkcloth on the body of the deceased Kabaka. The first prince to do so becomes Kabaka.
Queen Sylvia Nagginda Luswata and Prince Richard Ssemakookiro
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For Prince Mutebi to become Kabaka, the late Jolly Joe Kiwanuka smuggled a barkcloth to England, where Prince Mutebi performed this ritual at Captain Ronald Owen’s home. Owen was Muteesa II’s confidant.
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
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The reigning Kabaka doesn’t proclaim a successor. That is the responsibility of the Lukiiko lwa Buganda (Parliament).
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In the past, all legitimate successors to the throne were entrusted to Kasujju Lubinga, an official from the Lugave Clan, who presented all of them to the Lukiiko to select or elect the most suitable one.
However, reigning Kabakas could influence who succeeded them by giving them special attention and training.
Once the Lukiiko proclaimed who would be Kabaka, the coronation preparations began. That is why the Kabaka reminded the Bataka Abobusolya (Clan Heads) that they don’t elect him, as they had previously postured. However, they do play some key roles.
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Previously, there were fights among princes, or even mothers of princes killed their own sons. Muganzirwazza, the mother of Muteesa I, killed any prince who showed interest in being Kabaka. She only wanted Muteesa I to be Kabaka.
However, Prince Nuhu Mbogo (father of Prince Badru Kakungulu) was spared because his only interest was Islam and not being Kabaka.
I thought this could help explain why the Kabaka said that the Bataka don’t elect the Kabaka.
