Police deployed as Banyole clan leaders elect first cultural head

At least 148 Banyole clan leaders in Butaleja District have convened to elect their first cultural head amid tight security.
This follows the nomination of two candidates to contest for the position of the cultural head (Sehulu) on September 16, 2019 at Butaleja District headquarters.
The nominated candidates are Mr Ben Muyangu, 65, a primary teacher by profession and Prof Elly Wesana Chomi, 75, the director of post graduate studies, Kabale University.

The Banyole cultural electoral commission chairperson, Mr John Higenyi, told Daily Monitor that the two candidates were duly nominated by the clan heads to contest for the seat.
“The clan heads nominated two candidates, who met all the requirements to contest for the seat. The election will be take place on this Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the district headquarters,” Mr Higenyi said.

Mr Higenyi said the elected cultural leader will help unite the Banyole in Uganda and those in diaspora. The tribe of Banyole has a population of about 300,000, according to a 2014 Uganda Bureau of Statistics report.
“The cultural leader will be instrumental in uniting the community of Banyole for economic development,” he said.
However, the nomination exercise turned chaotic after a group of youth attempted to block the nomination of Prof Wesana, claiming he has no home in the district.

“We can’t allow him to be nominated because he doesn’t stay in this district and yet one of the requirements is that one should be a resident of the area and must have a home,” Mr Richard Muyangu, one of the youth said.
Calm was restored after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Eden Ministries International, Bishop Ivan Mulepi Hirome, intervened and called for unity.
Mr Mulepi said culture is an important perimeter of unity and social and economic development of a community.
Prof Wesana said if elected, he will ensure the history of Banyole people is documented.

He also promised to promote unity and development through setting up an education fund to sponsor the needy children.
Prof Wesana, said among his first priorities, will include the construction of University for the institution.
Meanwhile, Mr Muyangu pledged to promote good working relationship between the central government and the community of Banyole people.
“There is a gap between Banyole and government. I will make sure the gap is reduced and strengthen relationship so that we benefit from government programmes,” he said.
Mr Muyangu, who formerly served as district vice chairperson also said he will fight against moral decay among the youth.