Katereke prison
This is where the earth speaks of betrayal and murder
Katereke speaks the story of a violent and brutal episode in Buganda history.
In1888 the kingdom was in upheaval. A Muslim faction had deposed Kabana mwanga ii and then Kabaka Kiwewa (who ruled for a very short time) and put Kabaka Kalema upon the throne.
Kalema felt threatened by his many brothers and sisters- females were also seen as potential rivals, as a queen had been enthroned in England. He ordered his clan chiefs to build a prison and the terrified princes and princesses were rounded up and put inside.
But Kalema was still worried about his rivals, and he ordered the prisoners to be killed. News this murderous act brought much fear to Buganda and after a year of being deposed Mwanga was back on throne. Kalema fled in fear and died soon after in exile.
Today the prison is quite and shaded site, but the serving earthwork are a vivid reminder of warring times when the fate of the kingdom hung in the balance.
