In the mid-13th century, during the reign of Kabaka Kimera, the Kingdom of Buganda flourished by the shores of Lake Nalubaale (now known as Lake Victoria). The lake, along with the sacred river Kiyira that flowed from it, was the lifeblood of the kingdom, sustaining the people and the land. But one fateful year, the rains failed to come.
The sun scorched the earth, and the fields turned to dust. Kiyira, once a mighty river, dwindled to a mere trickle. The people of Buganda, under the wise leadership of Kimera, prayed to the gods and sought guidance from the elders, but the skies remained stubbornly clear. The land, once green and fertile, began to wither under the relentless drought.
In the heart of this parched land, a herd of elephants, led by a wise and kind chief, roamed in search of food and water. These elephants were revered by the people of Buganda, who saw them as symbols of strength, wisdom, and unity. The chief of the elephants, recalling a time long ago when a similar drought had struck, remembered the Mabira Forest—a place blessed by the spirits with underground springs that remained lush even in the harshest times.
The elephants, driven by hope and the memory of the lush Mabira Forest, set out on a journey to find refuge from the drought. As they traveled across the drying landscape, they encountered other animals, weak and starving, who joined them in their quest. Among these was a mother monkey, too frail to carry her baby. The elephants, moved by compassion, lifted the mother and her baby with their trunks, carrying them across the drying Kiyira to the safety of the forest.
News of the elephants’ journey spread, reaching Kabaka Mutesa I, who saw their determination and kindness as a sign from the gods. Inspired by the example set by these noble creatures, the Kabaka urged his people to come together in solidarity, to share what little they had, and to work as one to survive the drought.
High above, Mukasa, the great god of the waters and fertility, watched over Buganda from his sacred abode on the Ssese Islands in Lake Nalubaale. His heart ached as he saw the suffering of the people and animals below. Moved by the unity and compassion shown by the kingdom’s creatures, Mukasa gathered his clouds and commanded them to bring rain to the parched earth.
Soon, raindrops began to fall, first as a gentle drizzle, then as a torrential downpour. The dry ground soaked up the precious water, and life began to stir once again. The grass peeked through the cracked earth, flowers bloomed in vibrant shades, and Lake Nalubaale swelled with water, restoring Kiyira’s life-giving flow. The Mabira Forest, which had provided refuge during the drought, flourished once more, its trees growing tall and proud.
From that day on, the people of Buganda remembered the great drought as a time when their kingdom was tested but emerged stronger, united by the wisdom of their Kabaka and the compassion of their animal kin. The bond between the people, the land, and the animals was forever strengthened, ensuring that Buganda would thrive for generations to come.
The Ford of Hope: How Kindness Saved the Land
