Katereke Culture Tour
Katereke Prison Ditch:
Katereke Prison was dug by Kabaka Kalema in the late 19th Century. It is a unique relic from a particulary unstable and violent period in Buganda History. Kabaka Kalema (1888-90) was a Muslim who reigned at a time of religious strife. He had succeeded his brother, Kiwewa (1888), who had himself, succeeded his younger brother, the deposed Kabaka Mwanga.
Kabaka Kalema ruled Buganda after exiling Kabaka Mwanga from his kingdom. Two months later after Mwanga had been exiled, Kalema ordered for an arrest of all princes and princesses whom he suspected to be his rivals. Many of them were exiled at katereke. They were imprisoned and were later burnt because they disobeyed his orders. The Baganda still go to the ditch for spiritual healing and blessing.
Getting there:
The site is 16 km west of Kampala. AÿKatereke prison ditch is a 30 minutes drive from Kampala past Buddo on Masaka road. Turn right at Nsangi trading centre (opposite the police post) and follow the dirt road for about 1 Km.
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