Kigeli I Mukobanya

Kigeli I Mukobanya was Mwami of the Kingdom of Rwanda from 1378 C.E to 1418 C.E.

Kigeli I Mukobanya
Mwami (King) of Rwanda
Reign	1378–1418
Died	1418
Burial	Rubingo Shyorongi
Dynasty	Nyiginya dynasty (2nd)
Father	Cyilima Rugwe
Mother	Nyirakigeri I Nyanguge

His reign was characterized by the infiltration and surprise attack near his Kigali hill palace by the army of King Cwamali of Bunyoro in Uganda. Kigeli I together with his son Sekarongoro I staged a defensive fight against Cwamali's army around what is modern day Kigali city. Sekarongoro I Mutabazi got injured on the forehead and bled which led Rwanda army to retreat. King Kigeli I Mukobanya withdrew from his palace with his cows and re-positioned across Nyabarongo River. Cwamali's army burnt his house planted a victory tree at Runda. They then crossed the river and pursued Kigeli I. This time Kigeli I Mukobanya's army had reorganized itself and returned a powerful counteroffensive. Bunyoro army suffered numerous casualties and a huge defeat. Some were captured as prisoners of war. The Banyoro captives had their fingers and toes mutilated and sent back to Bunyoro as a message to instil fear into King Cwamali. Various independent scholarship, describe Kigeli I Mukobanya to have conquered and ruled Buyonyoro and Buganda as he is believed to be listed as Kigala Mukabya in Buganda oral history.