188 THE LAKE REGIOxNS OF CENTRAL AFRICA, 



supporting a man's weight, and cattle are towed over^ 

 in the more open parts by cords attached to their horns. 

 Four stations lead from the Katonga Eiver to Kibuga, 

 the capital district of Uganda. 



Kibuga is the residence of the great Mkama or chief 

 of Uganda. Concerning its population and peculiarities 

 the Arabs must be allowed to tell their own tale. 

 " Kibuga, the settlement, is not less than a day's journey 

 in length ; the buildings are of cane and rattan. The 

 sultan's palace is at least a mile long, and the circular 

 huts, neatly ranged in line, are surrounded by a strong 

 fence which has only four gates. Bells at the several 

 entrances announce the approach of strangers, and 

 guards in hundreds attend there at all hours. They 

 are commanded by four chiefs, who are relieved every 

 second day : these men pass the night under hides raised 

 upon uprights, and their heads are forfeited if they 

 neglect to attend to the summons of the king. The 

 harem contains about 3000 souls — concubines, slaves, 

 and children. No male nor adult animal may penetrate, 

 under pain of death, beyond the Barzah, a large vesti- 

 bule or hall of audience where the king dispenses justice 

 and receives his customs. This palace has often been 

 burned down by lightning : on these occasions the war- 

 riors must assemble and extinguish the fire by rolling 

 over it. The chief of Uganda has but two wants with 

 which he troubles his visitors — one, a medicine against 

 death ; the other, a charm to avert the thunderbolt : 

 and immense wealth would reward the man who could 

 supply either of these desiderata." 



Suna, the great despot of Uganda, a warlike chief, 

 who wrested dependent Unyoro from its former pos- 

 sesssor, reigned till 1857. He perished in the prime of 

 life and suddenly, as the Arabs say, like Namrud, 



