Mparo Tombs is the burial grounds of Omukama (King) Kabalega Chwa II (18 June 1853 – 6 April 1923), Sir Tito Winyi, princes and princesses of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom once the most powerful Kingdom in the country. This was also the former palace of Omukama Kabalega and the tombs are a very important place among the Banyoro
Omukama (King) Kabalega Chwa II was exiled in Seychelles by the British Empire in 1899, Tito Winyi plus several princes, princesses and royals of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom.
At the tombs, the remains of the king were just laid out in small mausoleums and not buried. Each of the tomb is covered with a bark-cloth, a cultural cloth made from cultural trees. Next to the cloth are the royal regalia and other cultural tools and belongings that respective kings used during their rule.
The most immense tomb at Mparo Tombs holds the remains of their greatest king, Omukama Kabalega who is remembered for his exceptional endeavors to protect Bunyoro-Kitara from the British rule. He is referred to as a brilliant fighter who always made the right decisions. Omukama Kabalega is still admired for his courage, exceptional achievements, and noble qualities. A number of roads, schools and buildings have been named after him.
The most shocking part of the tradition is Omukama Kabalega died in 1923 but still has a living wife and will forever have one. By tradition, when a king in Bunyoro marries a woman, he marries the entire clan and if his wife passes on, another woman is chosen from the same clan and the King and his wife’s clan proceeds even after his death.
Located 4 kilometers on the Hoima – Masindi road.
