He was born to Ssekabaka Muteesa I and Abisagi Baagalaayazeof the Ã...‹Ã...‹onge clan and the Royal sister was Zalwango Mpologoma. His Twin was called Lumansi, his Home (Nnyumba) was called Muzibwazaalampanga and the Jjembe was called Kasajja. He ruled from 1884 to 1888 and later came back and ruled from 1889 to 1897 and his Prime Ministers were Mukasa of the Musu clan, Muguluma of the Njovu clan and Sir Apollo Kaggwa of the Nseenene clan.

Mwanga II grew up witnessing the newly founded, deeply divisive religiosity, and he never developed a personal affection for the Christian faith. Right from the onset, Mwanga II sensed that the missionaries were political con-men who had employed religion to devise ways of grabbing his land (kingdom). Shortly after assuming the throne, Mwanga launched a countrywide search for the Christians and dissuaded the pages who were very actively involved in religious instruction, to reconsider their commitment and instead, probably, renounce the Christian faith. During this period of trial, many people heeded the Kings' edict and renounced the new faith. Those who stuck to their guns were brutally tortured, maimed, amputated and burned alive - accused of committing the unforgivable crime of disobeying the King's orders

His tombs are found at Kasubi Nabulagala in Kyaddondo.

He had six wives who included the following:

• Damalie Nanjobe Baliira of the Njovu clan
• Dorothy Mwanoomu Bakazikubaawo of the Ngabi clan
• Esiteera Nabunnya of the Ngeye clan
• Evelyn Kulabako Maasombira Omusubika of the Ngabi clan.
• Loy Rose Nakibuuba Kaddulubaale of the Mmamba clan
• Rose Nantume of the Mbogo clan.

His children included amongst the following; Kagolo, Yusuf, Ssuuna, Kiweewa, Daudi Ccwa and Nakibinge Bamweyana Ntengeekaawa.

He created the man made Kabaka's lake and when the religious wars broke up, he ran away from the kingship and only came back after the wars in 1889 and ruled up to 1897. He was later exiled together with Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro to the Seychelles Island where he died in 1903. His body was brought back for burial in 1910 and was laid to rest at Kasubi Nabulagala alongside his father.