One of Buganda’s cultural sites
The cultural place where the pots were thrown thus leading to the name Gganda Nsumbi. Inset is a picture of one of the houses built in the area. Photo by Juliet Kigongo
What you need to know:
Gganda Nsumbi is one of the areas where you will find some of Buganda kingdom’s history.
When I first went to Gganda Nsumbi five years ago, it was a bushy place with very few people.
But I was not surprised because the name suited the look of the place. It was quite isolated. However, I recently went back only to find a different place with superb houses and many people in the area. Gganda Nsumbi is in Wakiso District, Kyebando parish. It is located along Hoima Road and is seven kilometres from the City Centre.
History
According to Justine Kanyike, the area councillor, Ganda Nsumbi got its name from events that happened in the area. She explains that Prince Kalemera had a child with a woman from Bunyoro, Wannyana from the Nsenene (grasshopper) clan. When the child was born, he was named Kimera.
“Although Kimera was the only remaining Buganda prince after the death of his father, he wouldn’t have taken up the throne as king if it had not been for two women; Nakku of Gganda and Najjuka of Kireka,” explains Kanyike.
She says when Kalemera died, one elder from Gganda called Ssebwana occupied the throne for 10 years. When this elder got to know about the prince who was in Bunyoro, he asked people to bring him so that he could see him.
Kanyike adds that, however ,everyone he sent never came back for fear that the elder wanted to kill the prince. This forced Ssebwana to find out what the problem was. “While he was away, two women, Nakku and Najjuka made Kimera seat on the throne.”
On his way back, Ssebwana heard the sound of the drum locally known as mujaguzo (happiness) a sign that the king had been installed. Ssebwana, who was carrying water pots, (ensumbi), threw them down and run away. The place where the pots fell is now called Gganda Nsumbi.
A resident of the area, John Ssebaggala, who is also one of the elders, notes that this place remained as a cultural place for Buganda Kingdom.
“Most of the people come to this place to perform their rituals in the area since they have a belief that they can get what they want from that place,” he says.
Transport
Gganda Nsumbi is accessible because taxis pass through the area and there are boda boda riders. From the Old Taxi Park to Gganda Nsubi, you spend Shs2,000 and another Shs1,500 to come back to town.
Facilities
Gganda Nsumbi has dirty roads running through thus making it accessible although it is dusty during the dry season and muddy when it rains.
The area has both spring well and piped water. Clinics are also common in Gganda to provide residents with medical attention. However, they have one big hospital known as Twaha.
Ssebaggala also explains that the area has a number of primary and secondary private schools which makes access to education easy.
Security
Fredrick Ssentamu who is in charge of security and is also an elder says the area is a great place for residentials. He however that they have a problem of thieves who steal their garden crops.
