The last independent ruler (or kabaka) of the kingdom of Buganda—now Uganda—King Mwanga II, has been part of a propaganda war since his reign started in 1884. Known for taking both male and female lovers, detractors have called him a deranged murderous deviant. Supporters have framed him as an early fighter against colonialism. And modern LGBTQ+ activists have used him as evidence that queerness is a part of Africa’s history. Mwanga was only 18 when he took the throne, replacing his father, Muteesa I. He was said to have 16 wives and, in addition, had many male lovers in his court. He allowed homosexual relationships between other members of his court as well. His lovers, male and female, would all be addressed as bakopi, the word for “wives,” and they called him their nnanynimu or omufumbo, meaning “husband,” according to Rahul Rao writing in the Journal of Eastern African Studies. Muteesa felt the way to protect Buganda from colonialism was to ally with the British and welcome missionaries in exchange for firepower. Though Muteesa converted to Islam earlier in his rule to further ally himself with Swahili and Arab traders, he allowed Protestant and Catholic missionaries into Buganda. He figured the competing religious groups would be too busy squabbling among themselves to become a threat to his rule.