Onamadu avuga: Bugwere Kingdom (Obwa Ikumbania) Cultural Song / Anthem Lyrics

The Bagwere live in the eastern Uganda, mostly in Budaka District, Pallisa District and Kibuku District, where they make up over 80% of the population. They have the Bagisu, the Basoga, the Balamogi and the Iteso, the Banyole and the Jopadhola (Badama) as their neighbors. The city of Mbale, one time reputed to be the cleanest city in Uganda is home to some Bagwere. Bagwere are also found in the following towns in Eastern Uganda: Pallisa, Budaka, Kibuku, Kagumu, Kamonkoli, Kadama, Kabweri, Iki-Iki, Bulangira, Kaderuna, Tirinyi, Butebo, Kakoro and Kanginima.

The Bagwere are said to have emigrated to their present area from Bunyoro and Toro, and travelled along Lake Kyoga, crossing River Mpologoma. For this reason all the tribes that settled along the shores Kyoga like; Baluli, Bakenye, Balamogi have a similar language to Lugwere.

You can Read more about the Bagwere on the kingdom website and on the wiki page.

Bugwere Anthem

Chorus

Onamadu avuga!
Eyo eitaala lyakira e’Bugwere;
Ebyalo bisanyukenga o’bugwere busagaaluke;
Mwize twanguwe embuga, ewataite ikumbania;
Twegaite tutakengane obugwere atutumuke…

Chorus x2

1. Egyabirana Nigyo embiro;
   Buli moiza ayanguwengaku;
   Tukulemberwe abaita bangi;
   Abakwenda be ebitegere;
   Tube nomukago gwa maani;
   Tutakenganenge;
   Obugwere atutumuke inno;
   Mu Yuganda yona yona;

Repeat Chorus

2. Imwe abakaali abatobato;
   Empango gye ebugwere;
   Mube nempisa ensa;
   Mube oti bazaiza baanyu;
   Mu kanyangule kalaamu;
   Niiye empalani yanyu;
   Imwe ebimuli bye ebugwere;
   Era olumole lwa Yuganda.

Repeat Chorus

3. Twebalya Inno oKibumba;
   Olwe kyalo ekisenyente;
   Atwongerengaku obumanyi;
   Okukuumanga obubumbe bwe;
   Tulwanisye nga obuwavu;
   Obutamanya ne’ndwaire;
   Yuganda etutumuke inno;
   Tuwaane nga oKibumba.

Repeat Chorus x2

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