Mukaabya of Buganda (1837? October 19 1884) better known by his royal name Mutesa I, was the kabaka (king) of Buganda from October 1856 until his death. During his reign Buganda was visited by Catholic and Anglican Christian missionaries. Mutesa resisted Christianity, largely because the missionaries urged him to ban polygamy. Mutesa himself had many wives.

Mutesa was known for the brutality of his rule. Thousands of his subjects were executed by his orders for minor infractions and mistakes in court etiquette.