Kakende of Tooro

Rukirabasaija Kakende Nyamuyonjo was the eighth Omukama of the Tooro Kingdom, reigning briefly from 1875 to 1876 and again from 1879 to 1880. His rule occurred during a turbulent period marked by internal strife and external invasions, particularly by the neighboring Bunyoro Kingdom, which significantly influenced the Tooro Kingdom's sovereignty during his reigns.

Claim to the throne

First reign (1875–1876) Kakende ascended to the throne in 1875 following the abdication of his elder brother, Rukidi II, and the flight of another brother, Rububi Kyebambe II, due to an invasion by the Bunyoro Army led by Chief Kikukule of Bugangaizi. His rise was supported by an army from Buganda, which sought to counter Bunyoro’s influence in Tooro. However, Kakende’s first reign was short-lived, as he left with the Buganda army in 1876, allowing his brother Katera to take the throne.

Second reign (1879–1880) Kakende returned in 1879, again with Buganda’s military support, and deposed his brother Rububi Kyebambe II to reclaim the throne. His second reign was equally brief, ending in 1880 when Bunyoro forces expelled him, leading to an interregnum where Tooro reverted to Bunyoro control until 1891. Kakende fled to Buganda.

The final years In 1880, the Tooro Kingdom was invaded by an army from Bunyoro. The invaders expelled Omukama Kakende, who first took refuge in Ankole and later in Buganda. Omukama Kakende died from smallpox in Buganda, prior to 1885. He was buried at Busimba Zone, Mpogo, Sironko District.

Married life He married Logose a musoga from the baise igaga Clan

Offspring Omukama Kakende fathered three children with his wife logose namely;- one son Katunku Zephania and two daughters Bulage and Mpindi.