The Legacy of Chief Lutambwe: A Banyamulenge Historical Account.

From Cyendajuru to Bibogobogo in a Journey of Survival Leadership and Lineage Amid Upheaval in Eastern Congo.

LUTAMBWE IMPUMBI, son of MANIHA of MUGUNGUZA (from the Musita clan) and NYIRABENSHI of KADIDA (from the Bizinshi clan), was born in KIGUSHU in Mulenge during the reign of King BIGIMBA I of Sunzu, around 1850–1922.

History tells us that the Musita passed through RUVURUGA and left to settle in RUBARIKA. They later moved to MUTUNDA, and from there to KIGUSHU, before finally relocating to CYENDAJURU. It was from Cyendajuru that LUTAMBWE fled to BIBOGOBOGO in 1909.

MUGUNGUZA arrived in Mulenge at an old age and handed over leadership to his eldest son MANIHA. After MANIHA's death, his firstborn son, LUTAMBWE succeeded him as the leader of the Abasita family.

The Gift of Castle

LUTAMBWE fled from Cyendajuru along with other Banyamulenge families, escaping the Tutsi king Mahina Mukogabwe, who wanted to dispossess him.

After learning of Mahina’s plan, LUTAMBWE drove cattle to Mahina’s place under the pretense of asking for the hand of his granddaughter, MPARIRWA of RUHAGA, in marriage in 1909. In truth, it was a diversion to escape safely.

When Mahina asked him the name of the cow he had brought, LUTAMBWE answered that a calf is not named before it gives birth, and even then, it is the owner who names it. Mahina responded that the cow he brought would be called “Indenzamunsi” (meaning "one that crosses the days"), later also referred to as “Inkeshabuca.” LUTAMBWE then returned home and quickly escaped from Mahina.

According to the oral history, it was around 1909 that LUTAMBWE left Cyendajuru and fled to Bibogobogo, following GAHEKA, who had already arrived there in 1906. He had traveled with several Musita families (Abagwera, Abafirira, Abanyabungo), along with others such as Kijenga of the Mwongera, Maseruka of the Basinzira, and Ruganda of the Abega. They settled in Mulinga where Gaheka lived, and LUTAMBWE stayed there for a few days.

In 1966, his grandson MPARIRWA of RUHAGA, the same one for whom a bride was once sought, was killed at KIRUMBI by Mulele. He had been invited to a meeting by NTAYOBERWA of Munini, and he fled to BIJOMBO, leaving leadership to MPARIRWA of RUHAGA, who was killed at that meeting.

Mulele also killed RISASI, son of RUMARANA and grandson of LUTAMBWE. He was buried alongside KARAHA and SABANI of the Bizinshi at Shanji in July 1966.

The photo is of the family of RUHAGA, the eldest son of LUTAMBWE, who succeeded him as leader from 1922 to 1935.

Source from Muhizi Bukuru