Kooki loyalists in Rakai vandalise Kabaka billboard
Destroyed. A billboard with the portrait of the Kabaka after it was vandalised and later pulled down in Rakai Town Council early this week. PHOTO BY AMBROSE MUSASIZI
What you need to know:
- Although Rakai District is constitutionally part of Buganda Kingdom and Kooki County is among the 18 counties of Buganda, leaders of Bakooki ethnic group led by Kamuswaga insist that they are an independent cultural institution and Kabaka does not have control over them. The group has since 2012 been pushing for secession from Buganda Kingdom.
Rakai. A fresh row has erupted between Kooki chiefdom and Buganda Kingdom loyalists after the former pulled down a billboard for MTN Uganda, which had a portrait of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
This billboard, which the telecom company had erected in Rakai Town Council, Rakai District, had message ‘Yogayoga 25 Wangala Ayi Ssabasajja’ [Long live Kabaka at 25], congratulating the Kabaka upon reaching his silver jubilee coronation anniversary. The Kabaka is set to mark his 25th coronation anniversary on July 31.
The billboard had reportedly caused anger among Bakooki loyalists, wondering how MTN could choose to put it in Kooki, moreover on a road that heads to the palace of their leader, Kamuswaga Apollo Sansa Kabumbului II.
Consequently, they dismantled the billboard, barely two weeks after it had been erected, claiming that it was erected by people who simply wanted to incite violence.
“Of all areas, why did MTN Uganda decide to put it in Kooki when they know there is rivalry between us (Bakooki) and Buganda?” said Mr Tom Bukenya, one of the Kamuswaga loyalists. In the process of pulling down the billboard, some Buganda loyalists living in the town tried to fight back but the Bakooki overpowered them and managed to pluck off the billboard, leaving the frame empty. Mr Stanley Ndawula, the spokesperson Kooki chiefdom, said before erecting the billboard, MTN should have consulted them first.
According to Mr Ndawula, they have since 2012 had a lukewarm relationship with Buganda Kingdom after the Buganda officials insulted Kamuswaga, which prompted Kooki to stop participating in kingdom activities such as the famous Masaza cup tournament and singing the Buganda anthem.
Mr Philip Odoi, the MTN regional marketing manager, declined to comment on the matter.
Buganda Kingdom spokesperson Noah Kiyimba could not be reached on telephone but the kingdom minister for local government, Mr Joseph Kawuki, said those who pulled down the board simply want to create unnecessary tension between the two institutions.
“We strongly condemn such acts and we believe they are being orchestrated by a few misguided individuals. We pray that they realise their mistake and apologise to the kingdom,” he said.
Background
Although Rakai District is constitutionally part of Buganda Kingdom and Kooki County is among the 18 counties of Buganda, leaders of Bakooki ethnic group led by Kamuswaga insist that they are an independent cultural institution and Kabaka does not have control over them. The group has since 2012 been pushing for secession from Buganda Kingdom. Kooki was once an independent kingdom until 1886 when it was reduced into a chiefdom under Buganda, to whom they sought protection.
