Muteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, from 1856 until 1884.
Background
He was born at the Batandabezaala Palace, at Mulago in 1827. He was the son of Kabaka Ssuuna II Kalema Kasinjo, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between 1832 and 1856. His mother was Abakyala Muganzirwazzaza, the Namasole, one of the 148 recorded wives of his father.
He ascended the throne upon the death of his father in October 1856.
Career
He was the thirtieth (30th) Kabaka of Buganda. He was crowned at Nabulagala. He established his capital, first on Banda Hill.
Later he abandoned that palace and established his capital at Kasubi, Nabulagala.
He is reported to have fathered ninety-eight children, including: Kabaka Danieri Basammula-Ekkere Mwanga II Mukasa, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned from 1884 until 1888 and from 1889 until 1897, whose mother was Naabakyaala Abisaagi Baagal"ayaze. Kabaka Kiweewa Nnyonyintono, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between September 11, 1888 and October 21, 1888, whose mother was Kiribakka.
Kabaka Kalema I Muguluma, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned from October 21, 1888 until October 5, 1889, whose mother was Ndibuwakanyi. A detailed list of all of Muteesa I"s issue is contained at the following reference: During Kabaka Muteesa I"s reign, these contacts continued.
At the same time, contact was made with European visitors for the first time in 1862 when John Speke and James Grant arrived.
Their positive accounts attracted more visitors and Henry Stanley arrived in 1875. All three visitor groups were made to believe that Kabaka Muteesa I preferred their religion over the others They thus wrote favorable reviews back home to their respective governments, encouraging trade and friendly relations.
As a result, Buganda, and Uganda were not colonized but were offered status of a protectorate.
The manner in which Muteesa I handled these three sets of visitors with competing interests is credited with the development that is enjoyed in the region today. He is credited as the most important of the kings of Buganda, because of his vision and diplomatic skills.
He died at Kasubi Nabulagala on 9 October 1884 at the age of 47 years and was buried on 18 October 1884. He was buried at Kasubi, the first Kabaka to be buried there.
In 2007, Muteesa I Royal University was opened in his name, in recognition of his contribution to the education of the people of Buganda and Uganda.
The chancellor of the university is Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the current reigning Buganda monarch.