How the Basoga's "Empwitu/empuutu" saved territory

The Busoga Coat of Arms

I was impressed by Mr Milton Waiswa’s analysis of the basoga mpuutu/mpwitu (big headedness or arrogance). He highlighted the historical values Basoga benefited from Empwitu. That it helped the Basoga to remain with their pride.

Milton added that when the British colonialist, where driven by their quest to expand their protectorate to Bunyoro, they used the strategy to weaken Kabalega's military potential force, by annexing the so called lost counties of Buyaga, Bugangaizi, Singo, Buwekula (some parts of Mubende District), Bugerere (Kayunga District) and Buruli (Nakasongola).

According to Asuman Bisiika’s article: (Bunyoro wants lost counties not federo) published in “Federo” publication of August 11, 2004, “Henry Ford Mirima, Chairman of the Mubende Bunyoro Committee, says some areas of Bulemezi County formed part of Singo while others were part of Buruli. "So, one can rightly say that Bulemezi County is part of the Lost Counties", says Mirima.” (kiboga, kibaale, nakasongola, buruli, banyala, mubende)

Baganda Chiefs governed the Banyoro living in these lost counties. Using imperialistic methods the Banyoro in these counties were socially crudely denied to use their names, and their lunyoro language. They had to get themselves Kiganda names and learn to speak luganda. It was a complete social deconstruction!! However, lately these people are gaining freedom to recover themselves.

After Bunyoro, the British gained interest in Busoga region. Still using their ways of administration, they came into agreement with Semei Kakungulu to admister Busoga on their behalf with an alleged reward to Kakungulu to become a the King of Busoga and Bukedi.

According to Wikpedia website( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semei_Kakungulu)

"He was also chosen to be the president of the Lukiiko (parliament) of Busoga by the British colonialists, and in effect, he became Busoga’s first 'King', although the British refused to give him that title. However wrangles amongst the different chiefs and clans continued, and most Basoga still retained affiliation to their chiefs, clan or dialect. The Lukiiko structure collapsed, and Semei Kakungulu was dismissed by the British"

Milton Waiswa strongly believes that in the process of Kakungulu trying to conquer Busoga for British he faced a strong resistance from the Basoga. The Basoga's continued affliation to their chiefs was a sign of principle and pride. The Basoga retained their names, language and culture unlike those in the lost counties. They were principled (is that big headedness). Milton thinks at that time Kakungulu and his men had no Luganda word for Principle, so he described it as Empuutu. That Basoga balina emputtu (the Basoga people are very principled). And as you know how a principled person behaves. A NO is a NO. (mbbe, ndhemye or ndobye; NO)

In the end the bigheadedness saved the Basoga from losing their culture. This big headedness saved the basoga from increased taxation (graduated tax), land theft and adultery. It is a known fact that nobody can freely joke with a muusoga’s wife otherwise…….(I leave it to your imagination)!

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