Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Buganda, there lived a man named Kintu, believed by many to be the first Muganda. Kintu resided in the peaceful village of Namungoona, a place surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests just outside what would one day become the bustling city of Kampala. Kintu was known for his deep wisdom, kindness, and an extraordinary bond with nature. His only companion was a sacred cow named Bihogo, a gift from the gods that provided him with milk as pure as the morning dew.
One day, after a heavy rainstorm had blessed the land, Kintu noticed a tiny bumble-bee struggling on the wet ground. The rain had come down in torrents, and now the bee’s delicate wings were drenched, heavy with water, making it impossible to lift itself off the earth. Each drop that struck its fragile body felt like a hammer, pushing it deeper into the cold, unyielding mud. Fear gripped the tiny creature as it lay there, vulnerable and exposed, its once-vibrant world now a blur of dark skies and pounding rain.
The bee’s strength was fading, its world shrinking to the cold, damp earth beneath it. Just when it felt the last glimmer of hope slipping away, a warmth enveloped it. Kintu’s gentle hand, soft and steady, lifted the tiny creature from the harsh ground. The bee felt the firm yet tender touch of Kintu’s fingers, cradling it with care. Slowly, it was carried to safety beneath the broad, sheltering leaf of a plantain tree, where the relentless rain could no longer reach it. The bee could feel the warmth returning to its chilled body, and a sense of calm washed over it, as it realized it was no longer alone in the vast, indifferent world.
The bumble-bee, feeling the warmth and safety of Kintu’s gentle care, was overwhelmed with gratitude. It had never known such kindness from a being so much larger, one who could have easily ignored its plight. Gathering its strength, the bee hovered near Kintu’s face, and in a voice as soft as the whispering wind through the trees, it spoke. “Great Kintu, your kindness has saved my life. I am forever in your debt. From this day forward, I vow to be your faithful companion and protector. Whenever you find yourself in need, call upon me, and I shall come to your aid.”
Days passed peacefully until one morning, Kintu awoke to find Bihogo missing. Panic surged through him as he searched every corner of Namungoona, but the cow was nowhere to be found. Just as despair began to creep into his heart, the bumble-bee buzzed into view.
“Kintu,” the bee said, “Bihogo has been taken by a powerful sorcerer who dwells on Ol Doinyo Ilgoon, the great mountain far to the east ( Current Mountain Elgon ). To retrieve your beloved cow, you must journey through vast lands, facing many dangers.”
Determined to bring Bihogo back, Kintu prepared for the long journey. He gathered his few belongings—a sturdy stick passed down by his ancestors and a pouch of millet—and set out from Namungoona, with the bumble-bee leading the way.
Their path first took them through the thick and mysterious Mabira Forest, where ancient trees whispered secrets of the past. The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but it also held hidden dangers. Wild animals roamed freely, and spirits were said to guard the deepest parts of the woods. Yet, with the bumble-bee’s guidance, Kintu navigated through the dense undergrowth, listening to the forest’s wisdom and respecting the spirits of the land.
After days of travel, Kintu reached the mighty River Kiyiira, known to others as the Nile. The river’s waters were swift and powerful, and crossing it seemed impossible. However, the bumble-bee called upon the river spirits, who calmed the waters and allowed Kintu to pass safely on a makeshift raft.
Beyond the river, the journey took them to Jinja, where the waters of the Kiyiira tumbled into the deep gorge, creating a mighty waterfall. Here, Kintu rested briefly before continuing eastward, past the rocky terrains of Mbale, where the land began to rise towards the great mountain of Ol Doinyo Ilgoon, now known as Mount Elgon.
As they neared the mountain, the air grew cooler, and the land became rougher. The mountain, revered by the people for its ancient mysteries, was said to be the home of powerful spirits and the legendary sorcerer who had taken Bihogo.
he sorcerer, a figure as old as the mountain itself, stood at the entrance of a dark cave. His robes were woven from the shadows of night, and his eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. He had heard of Kintu’s approach and was intrigued by the man’s bravery.
“Kintu,” the sorcerer said in a voice that rumbled like distant thunder, “you have come far to retrieve what you believe is yours. But to prove your worth, you must pass three trials.”
The first trial was to harvest food from the barren rocks of the mountain. The sorcerer led Kintu to a desolate field of stone and handed him a basket. The bumble-bee, ever faithful, whispered into Kintu’s ear. Following the bee’s advice, Kintu sprinkled the millet he had brought along onto the rocks, and as the first rays of dawn touched the land, green shoots began to sprout from the stone, bearing fruit that filled the basket.
The second trial was to fetch water from the air. The sorcerer handed Kintu a hollow gourd and pointed to the sky. Kintu, unfazed, waited until the night descended. The bumble-bee flew up to the heavens and whispered to the stars, who in turn shed their dew onto the gourd. By morning, Kintu had a gourd full of water, shimmering like liquid moonlight.
The final trial was the most difficult—to identify Bihogo among a thousand cows grazing in the sorcerer’s enchanted pastures. As Kintu surveyed the herd, his heart pounded with anxiety, for each cow looked just like the one he loved. But then, the bumble-bee flew to one of the cows and landed gently on its horn, singing a soft, familiar melody. Kintu’s heart recognized the song, and he knew he had found Bihogo.
Impressed by Kintu’s cleverness and the bond he shared with the creatures of the earth, the sorcerer relented. “You have proven yourself worthy, Kintu. Take your cow and return to your people, for you have shown that wisdom, courage, and kindness are the greatest powers of all.”
As Kintu and Bihogo made their way back home, the mountains echoed with the voices of spirits, praising the man who had conquered the trials of the sorcerer. The bamboo forests along the way whispered his name in reverence, “Kintu, the wise. Kintu, the kind.”
When Kintu returned to Namungoona, he found his homestead as he had left it, quiet and peaceful. Though he had lived alone, the story of his remarkable journey had spread among neighboring villages through the tales told by travelers and traders. These tales had painted Kintu as a hero of extraordinary courage and wisdom, and people from nearby communities came to pay their respects and celebrate his bravery.
From that day forward, the tale of Kintu and the bumble-bee was told far and wide, a story of how kindness and respect for nature could overcome even the greatest of challenges. And so, Kintu’s legend grew, not only as the first Muganda but as a symbol of the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world.
