MENGO PALACE
The Mengo is located on the Mengo Hill, which derives its name from the grinding stones used by the first occupants of this hill (people from Nvubu clan) to grind their herbal medicine.
The Mengo Palace was established by Kabaka Mwanga II in 1885 and his main house named “Mukulu-atta-maka-ge”.
So far, the Mengo Palace has been used by three Kings:-
- Ssekabaka Mwanga II 1885-1897.
- Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II 1897-1939.
- Ssekabaka Muteesa II 1939-1966
- Kabaka Mutebi II 1997- to date.
The main house in the Mengo Palace now is known as Twekobe, built from 1922-1933, during the reign of Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II.
In 1966 the Mengo Palace was attacked by the by Uganda Army on orders of Obote, the then Prime Minister of Uganda, later turning it into a military barracks and was occupied by the military until 1997, before it was handed back to the Kabaka.
Credit: Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board
BAAMUNAANIKA PALACE
Baamunaanika Palace is the private residence of Ssaabasajja Kabaka and has been both the private and country home for three generations of Monarchs since 1934. The Palace is located on Baamunaanika estate, Baamunaanika, Bulemeezi County in Luweero district.
The Palace was built in 1934 by Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II and was the favourite of Ssekabaka Sir Edward Mutesa II, the father of Ssaabasajja Kabaka Mutebi.
Ssaabasajja Kabaka uses this Palace both as a private home and as a Royal residence, where he undertakes certain formal duties and also meets his guests. The estate covers 49 acres that is privately managed by the Estates department on Ssaabasajja Kabaka’s behalf.
Baamunaanika Palace is not open to visitors.
Credit: Nkuluze Royal Treasury
NKONI PALACE
Nkoni Palace is located in Lwengo district, Buddu county, 131 km from the capital Kampala to the west and 14.5 km from Masaka town on a beautiful hill overlooking a pine tree forest in the North and a tarmac road snaking through the green vegetation in the south.
Uniquely, Nkoni Palace was donated by the people of Buddu county to Ssekabaka Muteesa, the Father of Ssaabasajja Kabaka Ronald Mutebi in 1955 after his return from exile.
The Palace was also among Ssekabaka Sir Edward Mutesa II’s favourite, as he frequently resided there with the members of the Royal Family.
The Palace was renovated in 1993 after the coronation of Ssaabasajja Kabaka Mutebi II.
Like Baamunaanika, Nkoni Palace is not open to visitors.
Credit: Nkuluze Royal Treasury
BANDA PALACE
Banda Palace is a private residence of Ssaabasajja Kabaka, It’s not open to visitors
KIREKA PALACE
Kireka is also a private residence for Ssaabasajja Kabaka. Like Banda, it’s also not open to visitors.