Reviving traditional wrestling in the Buganda kingdom

On this sunny September morning, the people of Busuju county in Mityana district, 42km west of Kampala, huddled together in groups at the Zigoti trading centre. They were waiting for the much anticipated Bukedde Kigwo Gumbya — a traditional wrestling tournament.

In old Buganda, it was a noble sport in which reigning Kabakas were known to challenge their chiefs to a fight.

Writing in his book The Baganda, the Rev John Roscoe says: “Wrestling was the national game; men and boys alike indulged in it; even the king frequently took part in it, although it was forbidden to throw him; anyone who did so was in danger of being put to death.”

However, until three years ago, the annual wrestling tournament has remained dormant, due to political instability in the country. It was last held in Buganda in 1969.

This year, it was organised by the Vision Group under its Bukedde brands. It attracted sponsorship from Century Bottling Company Ltd under its Tangawizi soda brand on a three-year incremental plan beginning with Ush25 million ($9,615). Organisers however, say they need more sponsorship to help them cover the logistics adequately.

“As we run this tournament, we shall continuously revise the rules and regulations to match international standards, because our ultimate aim is to participate in the Olympics,” said Abbas Kabanda, a coach and referee.

With assistance from the International Olympic Committee, the Vision Group trained four local coaches in May this year.

“But we lack the weight categorisation system in Buganda. We shall begin weighing next season because we want our tournament to be of international standards,” said Samuel Ssonko, also a coach and referee.

Residents of Busuju turned out in large numbers at the Zigoti trading centre to cheer their team against rivals from Buwekula County of Mpigi district.

The team of 12 youthful Busuju wrestlers took to the ring — a 20-square-metre grass field — all charged up. At stake was a new bicycle plus Ush30,000 ($11.5) for each wrestler as motivation and participation fee.

Pomp and pageantry

The event was not short on pomp and pageantry. The wrestlers mocked each other before the fight, as their supporters cheered them on with ululations, clapping and shouting. Music blared from a mobile disco with huge loudspeakers.

Rules must be followed to the letter. The wrestlers entered the ring and circled each other. Suddenly, they gripped each other’s shoulders. The idea was to use arms and legs to subdue your opponent and throw him to the ground on his back.

The action was rapid and intense, and soon, eight wrestlers had been eliminated from the preliminary round.

Some wrestlers got a second chance for failing to get a clear winner in their bout. A number were however, disqualified for breaking the rules.

Thirty two-year-old Edward Mirundi was declared the champion of Busuju after the other semifinalists Richard Kibirige and Salongo Bukenya were disqualified.

Kibirige, who had taken part in all three events, was dismissed for maliciously injuring Bukenya’s right ribs with his elbow. Bukenya was also given marching orders for feigning serious pain.

Mirundi, a primary school teacher said: “It was a well organised contest. Winning this new bicycle has come at the right time as my old one is constantly at the repair workshop.”

He said the sport was good as it helped to build talent and united the community. “I learnt wresting as a young boy; parents should encourage their children to participate in games and sports for character development and to instill discipline and a competitive spirit in them.”

The event took place in a carnival atmosphere. Cheap locally made ice cream was sold for as little as Ush200–Ush500 (US cents 0.07 – 0.19), keeping the children happy.

Girls and women dressed up for the event, some in their best busuti (a traditional Baganda dress) and others in Western dress, embellished with beads and bangles.

According to Ssonko, their biggest challenge is to revive this sport.”

“Traditionally, the game was used to entertain the Kabaka and his visitors. It was also used to welcome the Kabaka wherever he visited. Today, it is a channel through which to pass on wrestling skills to the next generation,” Ssonko said.

The enthusiasm shown at this event was a pointer to how the people are starved of sports and other entertainment events.
A plus for the organisers was the fact that spectators remained peaceful. It also provided traders with an opportunity to make money.

Rules

The sport in Buganda has strict rules. “It is a shame to be defeated. One may decide to fight back. So, we maintain discipline and wrestlers must accept defeat. If not, they are disqualified,” said Ssonko.

Cleanliness is also key. Being a sport of body contact, participants must observe high levels of hygiene.

The wrestlers are also expected to dress decently in shorts or a pair of trousers.

The use of drugs and alcohol is not allowed. Wrestlers with fresh wounds are not allowed to compete either.

Foul play like biting or holding the genitals is prohibited. You can hold your opponent around the back and not the waist. Wearing metal objects like watches and earrings is not allowed. Finally, you must be a male between 18 and 55 years of age.

In the past two years, organisers have toured the 18 counties in Buganda for elimination matches.

“We are still trying to revive the sport. For the tournament to have more impact, we opted for a league basis instead of touring the 18 counties. In the league, two counties compete to get one champion, who qualifies for the grand finale,” said the tournament’s co-ordinator, Bill Mboijana.

He added: “The game is quite costly because we cater for all participants right from the wrestlers, referees, judges and security personnel, among others.

It is costing us over Ush80 million ($30,769) per year. We need to get more sponsors because the sport unites people and visitors get to appreciate this Ganda culture. Maybe when we get more sponsors we shall improve the prizes,” Mboijana said.

The grand finale attracts nine champions from the league, the tenth being the reigning Bukedde Kigwo Gumbya champion. The 10 wrestlers will compete for a bull worth Ush1.5 million ($576) and a new bicycle.

This year’s grand finale will be held on December 4 in Nakivubo stadium in Kampala.