According to the archives at the Vira’s court at Kabindula in Uvira territory, Ilunga Mbuti, who died in present Katanga province around 1650, was the first Mwami of the Vira tribe. His son Ilunga – Lenghe who also died in the same century succeeded him. The third mwami was Mubila –Munanila (Munana). He reigned at Sanga-Nundu in Fizi territory, and later moved to Uvira at Rogongo village in the “groupement” of Kabindula where he died at the beginning of the eighteenth century; Kimbwe mabingo succeeded him. After him, Mwami Muluta I^er Kimbwe came to the throne in the middle of the century. He was replaced by Kinyunda – Kye – Lubungo who reigned both at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. Lenghe Mbuti took over and was followed by Muvuluma – Muluta, from 1830 to 1871 during the Arab trade (or slaves’ trade) and probably the King who met Henry Morton Stanley, the English American explorer and agent of King Leopold II of Belgium.

Between 1871 and 1897, Nambuza Mukongwa was king of the Vira. He contributed to the ending of the slavery in Uvira. Makumika Muluta reigned after him between 1898 and 1908. Lenghe II Kabale Mambotosucceeded the latter and reigned from 1932 to 1945. It is Lenghe II who received a delegation from the Luba tribe whose mission was to try to bring back the Vira in Katanga where they were living before Ilunga Mbuti broke with the king of the Luba. Lenghe II saw many of his subjects taken to war (WWII) and resisted the colonization without succeeding. Between 1945 and 1964, Kabale Mamboto Martin replaced his father. The independence of the Congo in 1960 from the Belgians as well as the “Rebellion Muleliste” were among the greatest challenges of the Vira people. Mwami Lenghe III Rugaza Kabale Rampa – Romain Gislain, who was assassinated on October 26, 1996 came to power in 1965 at the same time of the coup d’Etat by Lieutenant General Joseph Désiré Mobutu. After his death, his son Lenghe Edmond carried on with the throne until this day. (54)