16/01/2026
ABAMAKHIA are among the largest clans of Bunyala. Their origins point to Rwanda and they later migrated to Eastern Uganda under their Leader Munyala. Munyala died in Eastern Uganda and his Son Maongo moved to present day Bunyala first settling in Osieko before trekking inwards to a land inhabited by the Abamacheke who donated some land to him and his people. This land was later named Buongo ( a place of Muongo ).
Maongo had 5 sons and one daughter namely ; Munyiri, Madwidwi, Sikhoba, Suruguya, Mwambo and the famous daughter Nakhabuka.
A man from the clan is Omumakhia. A woman from the clan is Namakhia. Women from the clan praise themselves as Namakhia Lenya.
Their totem is Rigugu ( dove ) and their taboo is Rikanga ( a type of fish common in bunyala. Rikanga ( singular ) - Makanga ( Plural ).
Former Labour Cabinet Minister and Budalang'i MP from 1981 - 1992, The late Peter Habenga Okondo ( Ingesi ya Abanyala ) was Omumakhia.
They're widespread in Bunyala but predominantly found in Ruambwa, Namalo, Nambengele and largely Bunyala North, West and Central wards of Budalang'i constituency.
Former Cabinet minister for Regional Development and Westlands MP from 1997 - 2013, Omwami Fred Gumo is Omwana Wa Namakhia.
Other Prominent Abamakhia include Onalo Nambusi, Anselmo Onalo, Peter Leo Agweli Onalo, Seline Onalo, Obuyu Onalo, Nakhabuka.
Nakhabuka was a beautiful daughter of the Abamakhia. She was speared to death by a man named Munana from the Abakokho clan of the Abasamia. It is said that Nakhabuka struggled to walk as his blood dropped to the ground. Where the blood dropped, a tree grew ( Mukhuwa or Mukhuyu ).
Abamakhia held cultural wrestling at Nakhabuka grounds in honour of Nakhabuka.
