Busoga Kingdom halts enthronement of new Budhagali oracle

The proposed installation of the new oracle of Bujjagali Falls, Mr  Hassan Kirunda has been halted, on a directive by Busoga Kingdom officials led by the Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr Richard Mafumo.

Mr Kirunda was on Sunday confirmed as the new oracle of Bujjagali Falls, to replace the late Budhagali Nabamba, who served the Bujagali spirits for the past 60 years.

He had allegedly spent 10 days on Budhagali Island prior to his confirmation as the choice of the spirits.

Prior to the reported confirmation, traditionalists had spent close to 10 days on the shores of River Nile in Budhagali village, Budondo Sub-county, Jinja District seeking for a manifestation of a new oracle to take over from the fallen spiritualist.

The revelation, however, angered some residents who clashed with traditionalists, attracting police intervention to calm the situation.

The said oracle was awaiting enthronement on Thursday morning.

However, Mr Mafumo said on Wednesday that Budhagali is considered to be the leader of all spirits in the region, and whoever earns the title must undergo various background checks by several traditionalists in the land, before confirmation and enthronement.

Mr Mafumo also ordered traditionalists off the shores saying they have turned the surrounding community into an idle corner where energetic youth abandon profitable activities to watch the spiritual rituals being performed in their village.

Mr Mafumo said that at an appropriate time, a suitable oracle who would have passed all the required tests will be unveiled to the public.

But Mr Nasur Ibanda, who was heading the enthronement committee, expressed dismay at the decision of Busoga Kingdom officials, saying that the kingdom is meant to support their efforts instead of demoralising them.

“As traditionalists, we see and walk in the ways of the gods but I am surprised that our kingdom which should have supported us is instead against us. The spirits confirmed that Kirunda is the new Budhagali, and we are not willing to search for another one,” he said.