This mass killing of his relatives angered public opinion. The manner in which Kiweewa was killed - starved of food for several days, after which he was shot to death and his wives also put to death - was viewed as not fit for the treatment of a king, and a blemish on the institution of the Kabaka. Therefore the people were less willing to enlist for his army in the forthcoming war against the Christian forces. In the ensuing war, he was defeated and fled to Singo.