Clan heads summoned over Kyabazinga seat
The acting Kyabazinga of Busoga, Prince Daudi Kaunhye Wakooli (2nR), declares Prince William Gabula IV (2ndL), the duly elected Kyabazinga, but some cultural leaders rejected him. PHOTO BY ISAAC MUFUMBA.
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Minister Rukia Nakadama has scheduled January 7 next year for the meeting.
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The State Minister for Gender and Social Development, Ms Rukia Nakadama, has summoned clan leaders in Busoga for a meeting to find a lasting solution to the five-year cultural leadership vacuum in the kingdom.
The kingdom has not had a substantive leader since the death of Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki in September 2008. Speaking at the interment of the traditional hereditary chief of Bukono at the weekend, Ms Nakadama said the meeting would take place on January 7.
The chief of Bukono, Christopher Mutyaba, recently succumbed to complications associated with hypertension. “I am almost through with the logistics for the meeting with all clan heads representatives in January so that we put to an end these issues preventing us from getting a Kyabazinga,” Ms Nakadama said.
The minister, who justified her intervention on grounds that cultural matters fall under her ministry, said the venue of the meeting will be communicated later.
The announcement came shortly after the acting Kyabazinga, Prince Daudi Kaunhye Wakooli, accused the kingdom prime minister, Mr Wilson Muwereza, of failing to elect a substantive Kyabazinga. “The katukiro (premier) is solely to blame for the vacuum in Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga. He has personalised the Kyabazinga’s office,” Mr Kaunhe said.
The prince accused Mr Muwereza of impeding efforts to organise fresh polls by hijacking the kingdom’s official cars and denying him access to the Busoga Kingdom offices in Bugembe. However, Mr Muwereza has always described Prince Kawunhe as “a man of double standards” having declared Prince Edward Wambuzi, the elected Kyabazinga in October 2008 but less than a year later, he declared Prince William Gubala IV of Bugabula as the Kyabazinga.
Meanwhile, Prince Gabula IV has been confirmed into the Anglican Church. His mentor, the former Bishop of Busoga Diocese, the Rt Rev Cyprian Bamwoze, confirmed him last week at St Paul’s Church Bukwenge in Kamuli District.
Bishop Bamwoze said the confirmation had been delayed because it had to be carried out when the prince, one of the contenders for the Kyabazingaship, is mature.
Additional reporting by Opio Sam Caleb
