Empire of Kitara

Empire of Kitara
Kitara kya Nyamenge (Nyoro)
Approximate extent of Kitara under Wamara per D. H. Apuuli:
  Legendary extent (according to some Banyoro oral traditions but contradicted by those of other groups)
  Probable extent (according to archaeological evidence)
CapitalPer legends:
  • Somewhere near Bukuumi Mission, Kibaale District (during Isaza's reign):32:122
  • Kisengwe, Kibaale District (during Bukuku's reign):21:1340
  • Mubende (during Ndahura's reign):47:21
  • Bwera, Sembabule District (during the early part of Wamara's reign):32:30
  • Bigo bya Mugenyi (during the late part of Wamara's reign):162
Common languagesProto-North Rutara:82
Religion
Demonym(s)
  • Munyakitara (pl.Banyakitara)
  • Mukitara (pl.Bakitara)
  • (Kitaran)
Establishment
  • c.1000 – c.1200 (according to C. A. Buchanan):116
  • c.1000/1100 – c.1300 (according to J. P. Gorju):161:7
  • c.1200 – c.1400 (according to C. A. Buchanan):116
  • c.1350 – c.1400 (according to E. I. Steinhart):356
  • c.1300 – c.1500 (according to D. K. Jordan)
  • c.1300 – c.mid/late 1600s (according to J. P. Gorju):161:7
  • c.1300 – c.1400 (according to K.W.):44–50:25
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Urewe
Bunyoro
Buganda
Nkore
Today part ofUganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Rwanda

Kitara (sometimes spelt as Kittara or Kitwara, also known as the Chwezi Empire) was an ancient legendary state that covered significant parts of western Uganda and is regularly mentioned in the oral traditions of the Banyoro, Batooro and Banyankole.