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Chwezi and Lakwena-Kony's wars: Why it’s still hot today

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Mr Charles Onyango-Obbo

In the last three years, from the lofty heights of Uganda's ruling elite, there's been a fair amount of chatter about the "Bachwezi", the "Bachwezi Dynasty", and the "Bachwezi Empire", some of which has been tinged with unsettling supremacist overtones.

A few souls abroad have queried why this seems like such a grand affair, given its historical obscurity. Meanwhile, a couple of sharp, public-spirited young Ugandans asked me to shed light on its significance because they just don’t see how it might all be relevant in today's world. An encounter just days ago finally convinced me to offer my two pennies' worth.This tale could go on for ages, but we shall try to condense it into two parts. We’ll tackle this in several chapters, but first, we must address the pivotal question: Is the Chwezi myth or reality, and why does it matter now?The Chwezi Empire did exist, though much of what you’ll hear or read about it leans heavily into myth. It encompassed an area roughly akin to today's Great Lakes region. The Chwezi dynasty isn’t just a Ugandan narrative, nor is it solely Bantu; at its zenith, it was a tapestry woven from diverse African cultures, including the Luo, Nilotic, and Cushitic peoples of broader East Africa.Is it relevant today? Absolutely!

To grasp the brutal dynamics that fuelled the northern Uganda war from Alice Lakwena's Holy Spirit Movement to Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army facing off with the National Resistance Army/Movement-Uganda People's Defence Forces between 1986 and 2006, which displaced over 2 million people and claimed by some accounts up to at least 500,000 lives, one must consider the fallout from the Chwezi Empire's collapse.

The Bachwezi were vanquished by the Luo, specifically the Biito-Luo, under Chief Labongo, who later became Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi, the inaugural Biito king of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom.

This was the Labongo who famously feuded with his brother Gipir and is seen as the progenitor of the Acholi and other Luo groups in East Africa. The northern war was, in essence, settling scores from 486 years prior. It was an (unsuccessful) bout of madness to put a full stop to the unfinished business from 1500.Moreover, in these times of great change in both the Great Lakes region and beyond, some are drawing inspiration from the heroics of the Chwezi Empire, seeking both motivation and a sense of historical purpose, but that’s a discussion for another day. Now, let’s dive into our chapters:

Chapter 1: Was the Chwezi Empire real, and when was it founded?The Chwezi Empire is believed to have thrived from approximately 1300 to 1500 AD/CE, though some historians argue for a narrower timeframe.A splendid starting point would be the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru Caves ("the breasts of Nyinamwiru"), a renowned cultural and natural landmark near Fort Portal in western Uganda, beloved by tourists.Legend has it that Nyinamwiru, daughter of Toro King Bukuku, was famed for her beauty. Her allure beckoned suitors from far and wide, including powerful men from other realms. Fearing political upheaval, her father decreed she remain unmarried and childless (men have tried to control women’s bodies for centuries). He took drastic measures, cutting off her breasts and removing one of her eyes to make her less appealing. Defiant, Nyinamwiru fell in love with a commoner, Isimbwa, bearing a son, Ndahura. She sought refuge in the caves.

Some accounts say she fled into exile in a nearby kingdom (stories of what happened vary considerably, as myths often do). The stalactites in the caves resemble dripping breasts, and to those who have kept the faith, the milky water flowing from them is from Nyinamwiru’s defiant bosom, adding layers of mystery and allure to the site.

Chapter 2: Who founded the Chwezi Empire?Following the Batembuzi dynasty, the Bachwezi rose to prominence, with Nyinamwiru's son Ndahura among the key figures in its foundation. Ndahura, who became a formidable warrior king, transformed a modest chiefdom into a sprawling empire. Nyinamwiru's father, Bukuku, was the autocratic force needed for this rise. Initially a commoner in the court of Isaza, he usurped the throne to become the last of the Batembuzi kings. Bukuku's folly set the stage for Ndahura's rebellion.

The tale of Ndahura is riddled with twists, but it is crucial to note that, contrary to exceptionalist claims about the Chwezi, their ascension was partly due to the half-wittedness of the ruling class, a scenario not unfamiliar in modern times, including in Uganda.

The Chwezi Empire was born from rebellion - and, oh, the defeat of their Luo conquerors came rather quickly - in grand historical terms. But their downfall was sealed without a spear being thrown. More on all this next week.

Charles Onyango-Obbo is a journalist, writer, and curator of the “Wall of Great Africans”.
X (Twitter): @cobbo3