Reina madre
Pre-colonial Buganda was a strongly hierarchical and patriarchal kingdom. However, of the three people who could be called 'Kabaka' or king two were women, the queen mother and the queen sister. The Queen mother had political and ritual functions, possessed her own courts and had the power to collect taxes. The death of the Kabaka's mother could instigate a time of terror, as the Kabaka would have his executioners catch and kill many people in his grief. The senior wives of the king would also warrant special respect and had status and privilege within Ganda society. She was considered superior to all other chiefs and technically the most powerful commoner, being a royal by marriage.