Kigeli I Mukobanya was, according to tradition,

Mwami ''Mwami'' () is an honorific title common in parts of Central and East Africa. The title means ''chief'' or ''tribal chief'' in several Bantu languages. It was historically used by kings in several African nations, and is still used for traditi ...

of the

Kingdom of Rwanda The Kingdom of Rwanda (also known as the Nyiginya Kingdom or Nyginya Dynasty) was a Bantu kingdom in modern-day Rwanda, which grew to be ruled by a Tutsi monarchy. It was one of the most centralized kingdoms in Central and East Africa. It was ...

. Different dates of his reign are given in various sources, such as c. 1460 CE, 1520-1543 GB, or 1378 C.E to 1418 C.E. His reign was characterized by the infiltration and surprise attack near his Kigali hill palace by the army of King ''Cwamali'' of Bunyoro in Uganda. Kigeli I, together with his son Sekarongoro I, staged a defensive battle against Cwamali's army around what is modern-day Kigali city. Sekarongoro I Mutabazi sustained an injury to his forehead, bleeding, which lead the Rwandan army to retreat. King Kigeli I Mukobanya withdrew from his palace with his cows and re-positioned across

Nyabarongo River The Nyabarongo (or Nyawarungu) is a major river in Rwanda, part of the upper headwaters of the Nile. With a total length of , it is the longest river entirely in Rwanda. It is extended in Lake Rweru including a upper course of Kagera River befo ...

. Cwamali's army burnt his house and planted a victory tree at Runda. They then crossed the river and pursued Kigeli I. This time Kigeli I Mukobanya's army had reorganized itself and returned a powerful counteroffensive. The Bunyoro army suffered numerous casualties and a great defeat, with some captured as prisoners of war. The Banyoro captives had their fingers and toes mutilated and sent back to Bunyoro as a message to instill fear into King Cwamali. Some scholars describe Kigeli I Mukobanya as having conquered and ruled Bunyoro and Buganda, as he may be listed as ''Kigala Mukabya'' in Buganda oral history.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kigeli 01 Kings of Rwanda Year of death unknown