Kigeli I Mukobanya was
Mwami
''Mwami'' () is an honorific title common in parts of Central and East Africa. The title means ''chief'' or ''tribal chief'' in several Bantu languages. It was historically used by kings in several African nations, and is still used for traditi ...
of the
Kingdom of Rwanda
The Kingdom of Rwanda was a kingdom in East Africa which grew to be ruled by a Tutsi monarchy. It was later annexed under German and Belgian colonial rule while retaining some of its autonomy. The Tutsi monarchy was abolished in 1961 after et ...
from 1378 C.E to 1418 C.E.
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
The Nyabarongo (or Nyawarungu) is a major river in Rwanda, part of the upper headwaters of the Nile. With a total length of , it is the longest river entirely in Rwanda. It is extended in Lake Rweru including a upper course of Kagera River before ...
. Cwamali's army burnt his house and 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 instill fear into King Cwamali. Various independent scholars, describe Kigeli I Mukobanya to have conquered and ruled Bunyoro and Buganda as he is believed to be listed as ''Kigala Mukabya'' in Buganda oral history.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kigeli 01
Rwandan kings
1418 deaths