Itaaba Kyabanyoro is a cultural place located on the Mbarara-Kabale highway in Kinoni, Rwampara in Mbarara district. The Itaaba Kyabanyoro serves as the origin of the Ankole Kingdom. Understanding the Itaaba Kyabanyoro is a discussion that takes us decades back during the last years of the Bachwezi rule. The last king of the Bachwezi dynasty, Omukama Wamala, was an ancient, incredible king who saw that the Ankole Kingdom was formed as it replaced the Bachwezi reign in this entire region.

In his last years on the throne of the Bachwezi dynasty, Omukama Wamala crafted a royal set of drums that would be later known as Bagyendanwa. These royal drums were nothing but extraordinary as they bore an ability never heard or seen but the people then and now. The Bagyendanwa drums, or engoma za Bagyendanwa, as the locals call them, would start beating if there was something wrong in the kingdom. They would not be silenced until what made them beat was settled or worked upon.

The Bachwezi dynasty disappeared after their rule ended, and before leaving, they created the Ankole Kingdom. The Ankole Kingdom was first ruled by the Omukama Wamala’s son, Ruhinda. It is believed that some of the Bachwezi people transitioned to the Banyankole people of the Ankole Kingdom. The royal sacred drums, Bagyendanwa, became a sign of royalty as every king who would rule the Ankole Kingdom would be with these drums.

As Omukama Wamala left, he gave the Bagyendanwa drums to his son Ruhinda, and this kicked off the start of the Ankole Kingdom. Engoma za Bagyendanwa represent command, power, dominancy, and royalty, and that is why all the kings of Ankole Kingdom had to have these royal drums to be crowned and recognized as king by the Banyankole or people of Ankole Kingdom.

Visitors embark on a cultural experience of the Ankole Kingdom as they learn the history of this formation and the tales of the engoma za Bagyendanwa once they visit the Itaaba Kyabanyoro. This is an incredible place that paints a vivid picture of how the Bachwezi Empire ruled this land and how their last years were before disappearing. The Itaaba Kyabanyoro also bears the stump of the tree from which Omukama Wamala crafted the royal drums Bagyendanwa.

The Itaaba Kyabanyoro has three beautiful and original grass thatched huts that belonged to the last king of the Bachwezi Empire, Omukama Wamala. The king named these huts Kahima, Kakama, and Kairu. If you are up for adventure and cultural experiences, then this place is best for you.

How to get to Itaaba Kyabanyoro?

Kinoni Rwampara were the Itaaba Kyabanyoro, is located about 305.8 kilometers from the capital Kampala. This means that getting to this place by road takes about 5-6 hours along the Masaka-Mbarara highway, then to the Mbarara-Kabale route. Visitors can also opt to fly to Mbarara city and then connect by road for about an hour and a half to the Itaaba Kyabanyoro.

The domestic chartered flight to Mbarara airstrip, formerly known as Nyakisharara, can begin from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. All in all, traveling to Itaaba Kyabanyoro either by road or air has been made very simple and convenient due to the improved road and flight network systems in the country.

What are the other cultural sites around Itaaba Kyabanyoro?

The area where Itaaba Kyabanyoro is located is a hub of various cultural and historical sites that hold significant meaning and importance for the people of this region. Some of these cultural sites include the following.

The Ankole Kingdom palace

The Ankole Kingdom palace is located in Kamukuzi division in the heart of Mbarara city. This is where the headquarters of the Ankole Kingdom are. Although the kingdom is no longer active, the palace has been modernized and refurbished for visitors to explore and delve into the cultures of Ankole.

Royal tombs

The royal tombs are located in Nkokonjeru village in Mbarara city, and this is where the Ankole Kings were buried. Visiting this place will walk you through the tales of the different reigns of the various Kings of Ankole.

Igongo Cultural Center

Igongo Cultural Center is a one-stop cultural center and museum for the Ankole culture. This center is located in Biharwe, just as you enter Mbarara City from the capital Kampala. This center portrays the memories of the Ankole culture and how the kingdom was run. This cultural center also has a museum that holds some of the ancient tools and cultural items of the Ankole Kingdom. The famous royal drums Bagyendanwa can also be spotted here. A visit to Igongo Cultural Center is a walk through the tales of the Ankole Kingdom.

Biharwe Eclipse monument

The Biharwe eclipse monument is another important cultural and historical site located in Biharwe on a hill in Mbarara City. This monument represents a series of events that unfolded at this place many years ago. Historically, this monument represents the 1520 AD lunar eclipse that took place at this exact place. On the cultural side, this monument stands as a place where the King of Bunyoro Omukama Olimi I Rwitamahanga paused to rest after, together with his army, had looted slaves, women, and cattle from Rwanda under Umwami Ruganzu II Ndori.

As they rested, the day suddenly turned night, and the lunar eclipse formed. Ignorant of this, the king of Bunyoro, in fear, panicked and abandoned his loot, thinking the spirits of those killed in battle had come to hunt in. The abandoned loot was taken by the king of Nkore, Omugabe Ntare I, after Omukama Rwitamahanga had fled. Therefore, this is an important cultural site in this area that is exciting to visit.