Busoga Kingdom officials disagree
The Chairman of Busoga Kingdom’s interim executive committee, Dr Joseph Muvawala, unveils the official portrait of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV recently. PHOTO BY MOSES OKEYA
What you need to know:
Chief Juma Munulo says the committee that was set up to run Busoga Kingdom has expired.
Jinja- The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, and the acting Kyabazinga, Chief Juma Munulo Luba, have disagreed over the disbandment of a committee that has been running the kingdom’s business since September.
The disagreement arose following a December 16 directive by Chief Munulo ordering the executive committee which is headed by the Executive Director of National Planning Authority, Dr Joseph Muvawala, to stop coordinating work on behalf of the kingdom, saying its mandate had expired.
The Dr Muvawala-led committee was appointed by the Kyabazinga on September 15 with the blessing of the Royal Chief’s Council. It was tasked to steer the kingdom’s administration and draw a development plan within three months.
In his statement, Chief Munulo, also gave the committee seven days within which to furnish him with a report on their work.
“In order to avoid a vacuum, the executive powers formerly vested in the Committee shall with effect from December 16, automatically revert to the appointing authority, through the Chiefs’ Royal Council, pending further appropriate decisions hereon, in the near future,” Mr Munulo wrote.
Efforts to reach Dr Muvawala about Chief Munulo’s directive were futile as his known mobile numbers went unanswered, but the Kyabazinga’s personal assistant, Mr John Kairu, dismissed Chief Munulo’s directive saying they would not comply with it.
Mr Kairu said the committee’s term of office is yet to expire given that it was sworn in at a much later date, adding that its mandate was in any case extendable by the Kyabazinga who is currently in the UK pursuing a Master’s Degree in Economics.
“My understanding is that someone only takes office legally on the day he is sworn in. This committee was sworn in at a much later date therefore it cannot cease work until that date has come,” said Mr Kairu.
Mr Kairu also dismissed Chief Munulo’s powers to fire the committee saying it is not within his mandate to fire ministers. That power, he said, lies only with the Kyabazinga.
