The unsung Muslim Heroes of Uganda – Twaibu Zizinga Lukeberwa Makya Magatto

By Haji Nsereko Mutumba

Twaibu Magatto was born around 1818 and died on 23rd March 1929 at the age of about 90 years. He was buried in Mirembe – Butambala on his “mile” given to him by King Mwanga II.His ancestors were Nkaaku Zzizinga (who worked as Sekiboobo) and Mabidde Nankyama (A palace official during King Mutesa I’s reign).

The unsung Muslim Heroes of Uganda – Twaibu Zizinga Lukeberwa Makya Magatto

He got the name Magatto when he was working as a Mutongole chief (during King Mutesa I’s reign) in Bukuuku – Bulemezi. Shortly after, he became a Sekenge to the Katikiro in Lusaka during King Kalema’s reign.
After the defeat of Muslims in the religious wars between King Kalema and Mwanga, it was very hard for a Muslim to attain any senior position in the early days of King Mwanga II. But Magatto had the privilege of becoming a Katambala (County Chief of Butambala County) in the post religious war between Muslims and Christians, a position he held from the reign of King Mwanga II to that of King Chwa II.

Out of his hard work, he made sure that Butambala remains a Muslim stronghold. Butambala has been governed by only Muslim Katambalas and the area has remained dominantly Muslim up to today. The other two counties of Busujju and Kabula which hitherto belonged to Muslims were taken but Christians up to today.

During King Kalema’s reign, Magatto was in charge of the intelligence department (ekitongole ekiwuririza) of the kingdom security.

Magatto teamed up with Abdallah Sekimwanyi, Abdallah Hamad Wanimba, Bakale Mukasa, Jaberi Kalyamaggwa and Swaliki Mboi to challenge the right and ability of BugandaLukiiko to appoint a Muslim leader of Buganda. They also petitioned the Buganda Lukiiko on April 26th 1921 contesting Prince Badru Kakungulu’s leadership of the Muslim Community and the right of Sheikh Khalifan Ibn Mubarak to appoint Muslim teachers: A.B.K. Kasozi, 1907 – 1991, The life of Prince Badru Kakungulu Wasajja (Pg 62-64).

Twaibu Magatto also challenged prince Mbogo’s leadership on grounds that the prince was not a Sheikh and therefore did not possess the necessary qualifications needed to lead Muslims.
Twaibu Magatto participated in almost all religious wars in defense of Islam. He was therefore a great “Mujungute” who deserves recognition.

One of his grandsons is Captain Magatto, currently service in the UPDF.

NB: To read more about this great man, get the book by Dr. A.B.K. Kasozi titled The life of Prince Badru Kakungulu Wasajja (1907-1991).

According to the above Twaibu Magatto was a courageous man who feared nothing when it came to streamlining Muslim leadership. He was the one who pioneered the agitation of democratically elected Muslim leaders. This was fulfilled on 1st June 1972 during the formation of UMSC when the elected Muslim leaders were sworn in led by His Eminence the first Chief Kadhi of UMSC Maulaana Abdul Razak Matovu.
Look at this man, a Muslim decorated warrior full of courage and unreservedly determined. If you don’t recognize him as a hero, what else can you call him? I think he belongs to that group of unsung Muslim heroes of Uganda.

Haji Nsereko Mutumba
Public Relations Officer
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
Tel: 0701409504 or 0772409504