CLAN'S EARLY HISTORY

History has it that those of the Ngabi Clan of Buwanda (Ennangira), came to Buganda from Bunyoro.But there are different theories as regards to the birth of their fore father, NSAMBA.

According to Rev. J. Roscoe in his book entitled "The Baganda, their customs and Beliefs" on page 163, he states that those of the Ngabi Clan say that Wannyana, daughter of Mugalula of Kisozi, was the mother of their fore father NSAMBA and the father of Nsamba was called Lukenge.Wannyana left Lukenge and married to Winyi, the King of Bunyoro. There she went with her son Nsamba.

But According to Sir Apolo Kagwa, in his book "Ebika by'Abaganda", on page 20 & 21, he explains that Wannyana was daughter to Buyonga Mugalula of Kisozi. It was when she was still in the custody of her father when Winyi, the King of Bunyoro married her. Sir Apolo writes that it is those of the Ngabi clan, themselves, who say that Nsamba is son of Winyi.

Another well known writer of Buganda History, Dr.M.B. Nsimbi, States in his book "Amannya Amaganda N'Ennono Zaago", on page 284, that truth about the birth of Nsamba was difficult to ascertain. Those of the Ngabi Clan could not agree as regards the birth of Nsamba. Some believed one of the two theories above. Others say that Nsamba was son of Prince Kalemeera. But according to Nsimbi, the latter alternative was the most unprobable.

Leaving aside the truth of Nsamba's birth, let us now see how Nsamba came to Buganda. It is an accepted fact, that Nsamba was brother of King Kimera. Nsamba and Kimera grew up together in the home of Katumba Mulegeya. Katumba was a potter. He was the one who made Wannyana's cooking pots. In the beginning Nsamba used to be called "Lubega".

He got that name because of the importance of the fact that his brother who followed him was Prince Kimera. The interpretation of "Lubega" is "Lubega lulungi olwadibwako Omulangira". Basically meaning that it is nice to be followed by a Prince. The name Nsamba came about because of the chains and ornaments Lubega used to wear when still young.

Whenever he used to hear the ornaments making noise, he would tell his friends "Laba Nsamba". Literally meaning, "look I am kicking". From those words, his mother and his fellow friends gave him the nick-name "NSAMBA".

When Kimera came and became the King of Buganda, he came with Nsamba, the son of his mother. When they were in Buganda, Nsamba was given to Mugema for protection and care. First Nsamba stayed at Lubowa near Nnaziba in Kyaddondo. When Mugema took him from Lubowa, he sent him to Ntebe from where he went to Jjumba of Bunjakko. Jjumba, was son to Katumba Mulegeya.

So, this means that both Jjumba and Nsamba had once lived together when they were still in Bunyoro. When the King realised that the Island, Bunjakko, was not big enough for Jjumba and Nsamba, he ordered Jjumba to take Nsamba to the main land and take care of him from there.

Jjumba took Nsamba from Bunjakko to Buwanda in Mawokota. From that day up to now the Clan Seat(Obutaka) of Nsamba has never moved from Buwanda. Nsamba is also called "Lukonge". LUBEGA NSAMBA LUKONGE is the Clan Head of the whole Ngabi Clan.

In the early days,villages which Nsamba governed never paid tax to the King. Nsamba was not even obliged to send young men to serve in King's Palaces. Nsamba came to Buganda with two children. Namely; Wamala Muwonge and Iga.

Reaching Buganda, Nsamba sent his son, Wamala, to serve "Lubale" (gods). People started refering to him as Wamala "Omuwonge". Basically, meaning someone given up to serve the "gods". That was when the name "Muwonge" became one of the names used by the Ngabi Clan.

When Muwonge Wamala left his father's home at Buwanda, he was given the village of Jjalamba. When he reached Jjalamba, he became very powerfull. Hence, the known Luganda proverb "Entakyaluka wa Muwonge e Jjalamba".

Basically, meaning that it was difficult to leave Muwonge's region(Jjalamba). This was because he killed alot of people, especially visitors, who had committed crimes in his region. Nsamba's second son, Iga, went to the village of Ndiiraweeru, after leaving Buwanda.

In Buwanda, Nsamba got many other children who left him and spread in various parts of the country. There, they became Clan Elders(Ab'amasiga).

However, not all those in the Ngabi Clan are from Nsamba. There are some, Nsamba, found in Buganda. Mutaawe Sekyonda of Nandwagudde in Busujju is one of those. Mutaawe came with Kintu and he was Kintu's herdsman. He took care of Kintu's cow called "Nsigonke".

There are also others in the Ngabi Clan whom Nsaba found in Buganda (Banansangwawo), in the areas of Buddu and Mubende. There are also those who came from Kiziba. BUT all those in the Ngabi Clan are headed by NSAMBA.

The mother of the late King Chwa ll was from the Ngabi Clan. The reknowned, Kkunsa, also came from the Ngabi Clan. Kkunsa was the executioner during the reign of King Ssuuna. Kkunsa became well known because of his cruelty and the ease at which he killed those who had been senteced to death.

Some of those handed to Kkunsa, for execution, even never reached the place where the actual execution should take place. Kkunsa could sometimes kill them on the way. Those who were given last minute pardon by the King, were sometimes found dead. As Kkunsa had already done his work.

Sometimes they would find those still alive, with missing ears, noses or mouths. The lucky ones who were found still alive were usually given alot of eats and drinks by relatives and friends to congratulate them on their narrow escape from Kkunsa.

Because of the many things which were eaten when someone survived being killed by Kkunsa, the Baganda got a proverb which says; "Gundi alya ng'eyasumattuka Kkunsa" - (Meaning that this person is eating as if he escaped from Kkunsa). The above phrase is still used, even today, when refering to a person who is usually not satisfied with food.