Katikkiro of Buganda

==History==

==History==

This title is as old as the kingdom itself. The first known Katikkiro was a man named Walusimbi of the Ffumbe Clan, who was the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) during the reign of [[Chwa I of Buganda|Chwa I Nabakka]], the second Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned during the middle of the 14th century. Walusimbi continued to rule following the death of Chwa I. He was succeeded as Katikkiro by Ssebwaana (This title (Ssebwaana) is also held by a saza (Busiro county) chief in Buganda. His rain lasted until 1374, when [[Kimera of Buganda|Kabaka Kimera I]] ascended the throne 1374.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wrigley|first=C.C|title=The Kinglist of Buganda|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/history-in-africa/article/abs/kinglists-of-buganda/C5DB8686178333061DEBB63261662029|journal=History in Africa|year=1974|volume=1|pages=129–139|doi=10.2307/3171765|jstor=3171765|s2cid=153810771 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Untold Story of the Buganda Kingdom|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88099586|access-date=2021-05-20|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="The Role of African Traditional Leaders in Contemporary Africa"|url=https://international.ucla.edu/africa/event/11306|access-date=2021-05-20|website=international.ucla.edu}}</ref>

This title is as old as the kingdom itself. The first known Katikkiro was a man named Walusimbi of the Ffumbe Clan, who was the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) during the reign of [[Chwa I of Buganda|Chwa I Nabakka]], the second Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned during the middle of the 14th century. Walusimbi continued to rule following the death of Chwa I. He was succeeded as Katikkiro by Ssebwaana (This title (Ssebwaana) is also held by a saza (Busiro county) chief in Buganda. His rain lasted until 1374, when [[Kimera of Buganda|Kabaka Kimera I]] ascended the throne 1374.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wrigley|first=C.C|title=The Kinglist of Buganda|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/history-in-africa/article/abs/kinglists-of-buganda/C5DB8686178333061DEBB63261662029|journal=History in Africa|year=1974|volume=1|pages=129–139|doi=10.2307/3171765|jstor=3171765|s2cid=153810771 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Untold Story of the Buganda Kingdom|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88099586|access-date=2021-05-20|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="The Role of African Traditional Leaders in Contemporary Africa"|url=https://international.ucla.edu/africa/event/11306|access-date=2021-05-20|website=international.ucla.edu}}</ref>

Historically, the Katikkiro was selected from among the clan heads (Abataka) or leading chiefs and was known for wisdom, loyalty, and strategic thinking.<ref name="buganda-history" />

Over time, the office evolved into the de facto head of the kingdom's civil service, responsible for the day-to-day running of the Kingdom when the Kabaka was engaged in war, diplomacy, or spiritual duties. During the colonial period, the Katikkiro maintained significant influence and represented Buganda's interests in interactions with the British colonial administration.<ref name="parliament-history">{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.go.ug/page/history-parliament |title=History of Parliament |publisher=Parliament of Uganda |access-date=2025-07-09}}</ref> The position has been described as representing "the oldest continuous premiership in East Africa," with the Katikkiro serving as both a political leader and cultural custodian.<ref name="eastafrican-analysis">{{cite web |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/what-future-for-buganda--1305054 |title=What future for Buganda? |publisher=The East African |date=2020-07-06 |access-date=2025-07-09}}</ref>

== Selection of the Katikkiro ==

== Selection of the Katikkiro ==