Royal Order of the Engabu
Encyclopedia
The Order of the Engabu (English: Order of the Shield) is a single-grade royal order, within the Kingdom of Bunyoro
in Uganda
and is awarded solely by the Omukama of Bunyoro
. The order was established in 2010, replacing the old Royal Order of the Crown. The name change was done to make sure that the Order of the Crown and the Order of the Coronet Wearer
were not confused. The honor is junior to the ancient Royal Order of the Omujwaara Kondo
. It is normally granted twice a year, once during the Empango ceremony (which most often is on June 11 each year) and the other on the birthday of the Omukama
(H.M. Solomon Iguru I
's birthday is June 18)
Recipients of The Order of the Engabu receive a breast star that is 90 millimeters in diameter. This star is worn at Empango ceremonies or other appropriate formal occasions, and members of the order sit in a special place of honor during the Empango events.
Thus, a typical modern recipient of the Order would be styled The Most Hon. Omukungu First Name Surname, 1st OEBKK.
20. Heraldry of Members
Heraldry has historically been limited in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, with the exception of the Kingdom having an armorial achievement in the ensign of its historical flag and His Majesty the Omukama having similar heraldry. However, to honor some Members whose ancestors maintained heraldic customs, by authorization of His Majesty the Omukama, all Members of the Order who desire to have heraldry are entitled to display supporters and top their helm with a basic coronet if they desire to signify their status as Members.
Bunyoro
Bunyoro is a kingdom in Western Uganda. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in East Africa from the 16th to the 19th century. It is ruled by the Omukama of Bunyoro...
in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and is awarded solely by the Omukama of Bunyoro
Omukama of Bunyoro
Omukama of Bunyoro is the title given to rulers of the central African kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara. The kingdom lasted as an independent state from the 16th to the 19th century. The Omukama of Bunyoro remains an important figure in Ugandan politics, especially among the Banyoro people of whom he...
. The order was established in 2010, replacing the old Royal Order of the Crown. The name change was done to make sure that the Order of the Crown and the Order of the Coronet Wearer
Royal Order of the Omujwaara Kondo
The Order of the Omujwaara Kondo is the oldest and highest royal order of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and is awarded solely by the Omukama of Bunyoro. It is a single-grade honor, separated into two classes - Class I and Class II...
were not confused. The honor is junior to the ancient Royal Order of the Omujwaara Kondo
Royal Order of the Omujwaara Kondo
The Order of the Omujwaara Kondo is the oldest and highest royal order of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and is awarded solely by the Omukama of Bunyoro. It is a single-grade honor, separated into two classes - Class I and Class II...
. It is normally granted twice a year, once during the Empango ceremony (which most often is on June 11 each year) and the other on the birthday of the Omukama
Omukama
Omukama: often translated as "king", Mukama means in Bantu something like "superior milkman/milkbringer". The title "Omukama" is used in the region of Uganda and neighbouring countries, especially in the kingdoms of "Bunyoro" and "Toro"...
(H.M. Solomon Iguru I
Solomon Iguru I
Omukama Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I is the 27th Omukama of Bunyoro from 1994 to present.The King's Empaako is Amooti....
's birthday is June 18)
Recipients of The Order of the Engabu receive a breast star that is 90 millimeters in diameter. This star is worn at Empango ceremonies or other appropriate formal occasions, and members of the order sit in a special place of honor during the Empango events.
Intergenerational transfer rules
Similarly to the Order of the Omujwaara Kondo, the honor is inherited by the original grantee's eldest child of the same sex at the moment of the original grantee's death or renunciation of the honor. Intergenerational transfer rules for the honor are described in Statute 8. For male grantees, the honor passes by patrilineal primogeniture. For female grantees, the honor passes by matrilineal primogenitureTitles
There are several aspects of the award that recipients of the Order receive, and these are akin to Order of the Omujwaara Kondo and are mentioned in Section 5(b) of the Order's statutes.- First, all recipients are entitled to the style "The Most Honourable". However, persons entitled to an existing style that supersedes "The Most Hon." will retain it within the Order's records.
- Second a recipient is entitled to use the title of Omukungu (which is a less prestigious title than Omujwaara Kondo). Official authorization is granted for a male recipient to translate Omujwaara Kondo into "Knight" in English and a female recipient may translate this into "Dame".
- Third, the post-nominal of "OEBKK" may be used after an honoree's name, which stands for (O)rder of the (E)ngabu of (B) unyoro-(K)itara (K)ingdom.
- The original recipient of the Order may use "1st" before the post-nominals (OEBKK) in order to show he is the first to receive the Order, his son who inherits the order may then use "2nd OEBKK", his son may use "3rd OEBKK" and so on.
Thus, a typical modern recipient of the Order would be styled The Most Hon. Omukungu First Name Surname, 1st OEBKK.
Heraldic privileges
Additionally, per Section 20 of the Order's statutes, persons who receive the honor are also entitled to the right to display certain heraldic privileges. This section reads:20. Heraldry of Members
Heraldry has historically been limited in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, with the exception of the Kingdom having an armorial achievement in the ensign of its historical flag and His Majesty the Omukama having similar heraldry. However, to honor some Members whose ancestors maintained heraldic customs, by authorization of His Majesty the Omukama, all Members of the Order who desire to have heraldry are entitled to display supporters and top their helm with a basic coronet if they desire to signify their status as Members.