Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

Old Scandals, New Memories: Mayanja’s Transformation in Buganda (18th-21st centuries)

A century-old stuffed leopard, Mayanja, central to Buganda's royal mythology and history, was destroyed in the 2010 fire at Kasubi. The study reveals that Mayanja embodies multiple layers of myth, including a river, god, and symbol of execution, while serving as a site for both memory and the erasure of subversive pasts. Notably, incest myths were developed in the 19th century to obscure the tyrannical rule of King Kagulu and the subsequent reign of female rulers from the leopard clan. The research employs historical analysis to trace the transformation of Mayanja's narrative, highlighting its role in both preserving and obliterating Ganda history.