Bunyoro-Kitara is a country in Eastern Africa. it is bordered by the Nile Republic in the north and east, Busoga in the east, Buganda and Tooro-Rwenzururu in the south and Lake Albert in the West.
History
Established by the Bantus after the downfall of the Chwezi Empire in the early 14th Century, Bunyoro-Kitara was among the many kingdoms of the Great Lakes area, having lost much of its powers in the first half of the 19th century. Home to the Banyoro and Bagungu peoples, the small kingdom was placed under British protectorate in 1894, before being integrated into the Uganda protectorate in 1901, before gaining back its own independence first as a British protectorate in 1966, then as a sovereign country in 1976. Shortly after its independence, the kingdom lost a short war (1979-1980) against Buganda, ever living since under the bigger neighbour’s yoke.
Politics
A constitutional monarchy, Bunyoro-Kitara is still effectively an absolute monarchy, its Prime Minister, Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga Ateenyi, having only ceremonial and administrative powers and no parliamentary body to answer to. The Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara has been Solomon Iguru since 25 January 1971, having succeeded his father Winyi IV and has led the country since independence from Great Britain. A sacred monarch and one of the longest-ruling heads of state nowadays, Iguru has defined himself as a father for his subjects and an enlightened despot, paying respect to his powerful overlord in Buganda while promoting development for his country since his capital in Hoima.
Population
A quite densely populated country, Bunyoro-Kitara is dominated by two ethnic groups, the Banyoros and Bagangus, who use Nyoro as their language and were christianized by the British in the late 19th century, while still living under tribal customs in the countryside ; the capital and largest city, Hoima, is still growing but rather small. More than half of the Banyoro population is illiterate in spite of World Council development aids.
Economy
A stable and mostly rural country, Bunyoro-Kitara relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, while making a name for itself thanks to its proximity next to Lake Albert and its natural resources, concentrated in oil, gas, iron ore and precious stones. Even if most revenues from mining benefit for the royal family and neighboring Buganda, most of the kingdom relies on tourism, with world-renowned safaris and big game hunting, and also agriculture, with bananas, millet, cassava, yams, cotton, tobacco, coffee and rice forming most of the cultures and exports. Nevertheless, more than 90 % of the population is considered as living below the poverty line.
Military
The Banyoro Army is quite unnoticeable, managing its own defense while relying heavily on the strength of Buganda.
Culture
A peaceful country making a name for itself thanks to the beauty of its lands, Bunyoro-Kitara is also heavily Christianized, including for its royal family, even if folk traditions are heavily relying on Bantu customs and beliefs, being heavily studied by foreign anthropologists.