The Mmamba Clan headed by Omutaka Gabunga is one of the original (indigenous) clans in Buganda or Central Uganda. The members of this clan are called Ab'emmamba ya Gabunga (Singular: Ow'emmamba ya Gabunga). The members of this clan are Baganda people and speak Luganda language.

Titles Gabunga or Ggabunga is the title of the head of the Mmamba Gabunga clan. Omutaka is a general title for each head of a clan. The current head of the clan is called Omutaka Gabunga Mubiru Zziikwa.

Clan Totems

Primary Totem (Omuziro) The primary totem (Omuziro) is Lungfish (Mmamba). It is taboo for a member of the Mmamba clan to eat or harm a Lungfish. This taboo does not apply to people who do not belong to this clan.

Secondary Totem (Akabbiro) The secondary totem (akabbiro) is a young Lungfish (Omuguya).

Structure

The Kabaka (Ssaabataka) The Kabaka of Buganda is at the peak of the clan structure. So all the heads of the clans, the Bataka (plural form of Omutaka) ) are under him. Hence his title, Ssaabataka.

Clan Head (Ow'Akasolya) The head of the Kasolya (roof) is Omutaka Gabunga or sometimes written as Ggabunga.

Clan Seat (Obutaka) The location of the clan seat (Obutaka) is in Ssagala-Buwaya, Busiro, Wakiso District, Uganda. .

Clan Motto (Omubala) The clan's motto (omubala) or slogans (emibala) are:

Sirya mmamba, amazzi nnywa. Bandaba kulya mpola ne bampita omukodo. Sirya mmamba, amazzi nnywa. ("I don't eat Lungfish, I drink water. They see me eat slowly and call me selfish. I don't eat Lungfish, I drink water.", in English)

Other: Sirya mmamba, amazzi nnywa. Sirya mmamba amazzi nnywa. Eno ssi mmamba nnamakaka. Gwe ndisanga mu menvu n’ebikuta alibirya. Akalya kokka ke keetenda obulyampola.

Duties and Responsibility at Palace The members of the Mmamba clan are responsible for the Kabaka's boats, ships, etc. In ancient times, the Gabunga headed Buganda Kingdom's Navy and was therefore equivalent to a Navy Admiral

Clan Names The surnames or lastnames of people belonging to this clan vary depending on one's biological gender (Male or Female). Some of the names are common to all members of the clan but some are more commonly used in specific units (Essiga) of the clan. In fact, some of the names that a particular Ssiga uses may have come from a different clan, for instance due to Okubbula (i.e naming someone after a favorite or a deceased person who was dear to them).

Male names Some boys' names belonging to this clan are:

Buwule Kayiwa Kayizzi Kifamba Kizito Luutu Mayanja Miiro Mubiru Mutebi Nsubuga Ssebalu Ssemafumu (or Semafumu) Ssembuya (or Sembuya) 15. Ssekatawa

Female names Some girls' names belonging to this clan are:

Ndagire Nnakifamba (or Nakifamba) Nnalwoga (or Nalwoga) Nnamayanja (or Namayanja) Nnamiiro (or Namiiro) Nnamubiru (or Namubiru) Nnamutebi (or Namutebi) Nnankya (or Nankya) Nnansubuga (or Nansubuga) Nnawoova (or Nawoova) Nnakaye (or Nakaye)

Amasiga Names These are some of the names of the pillars (Amasiga) of the Mmamba Gabunga clan:

Essiga lya Balukake e Mpondwe, Mawokota Essiga lya Bukulubwawadda e Kamunye, Busiro Essiga lya Kagenda e Luwunga, Mawokota Essiga lya Kasenke e Ntolomwe, Butambala Essiga lya Kasiga e Bendegere, Busiro Essiga lya Katenda e Zziba, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Kibeevu e Ssi – Bukunja, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Kirulu e Bwerenga, Busiro Essiga lya Kisanje e Maggyo, Buvuma Essiga lya Kisuze e Katwe Nakawuka, Busiro Essiga lya Kivuba e Ndwasi, Bugaya, Buvuma District Essiga lya Kiyaga e Ssanda, Busiro Essiga lya Lugunju e Bbira, Ssingo Essiga lya Lutimba e Kibulala, Ssingo Essiga lya Luvule e Sserinya, Ssese Essiga lya Mbajja e Namayamba, Bulemeezi Essiga lya Miiro e Luubu, Mawokota Essiga lya Miiro e Zzinga, Busiro Essiga lya Minyanya e Mpatta, Buvuma Essiga lya Mpumbu Mikalazi e Zziba - Buwaya, Busiro Essiga lya Mugula e Buyiira, Ntebe, Busiro, Wakiso District Essiga lya Mulinde e Mulajje, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Mulinde e Namaliri, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Munoga e Ntolomwe, Butambala Essiga lya Namaabo e Kojja - Kagulu, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Nyenje e Kkome, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Sekibo e Kibanga, Ssese Essiga lya Sempagama – Ssegwanga e Manyago, Busiro Essiga lya Ssebawutu e Nsaamu, Mawokota Essiga lya Ssenfuma e Kanyike, Mawokota Essiga lya Ssennaku Katenda e Mayirikiti, Kyaggwe Essiga lya Wabbuzi - Muzito e Bugaya, Buvuma Essiga lya Wampona Mubiru Kirimungo e Busami, Busiro

Famous members of the clan The current Kabaka of Buganda, Mwenda Mutebi II is belongs to the Mmamba Gabunga Clan. The Late industrialists, Christopher Sembuya and his younger brother, Henry Buwule who together founded the Sembule Group of Companies. The late industrialist, Dr James Mulwana, who founded NICE House of Plastics, Jeza farm, Uganda batteries among other companies.

References