Nadiope calls for unity as Kadaga lists Busoga demands
President Museveni is welcomed by the Kyabazinga on his arrival at the function at Bugembe last Saturday.
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At the well attended ceremony, speaker after speaker emphasised the need for unity in the kingdom otherwise bogged down by infighting.
JINJA- The newly-crowned King of Busoga Kingdom has started his reign with a rallying call for unity, reduction of poverty and promotion of education among his people.
In his maiden speech as the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Khadhumbula Nadiope Gabula IV said it is only through harmony and education that Busoga will be able to prosper.
“I call upon the people of Busoga to work together as per our motto, ‘Busoga togetherness is power.’ That is the only way through which we will promote unity and take Busoga forward,” the Kyabazinga, who addressed the multitude of Basoga in local dialect Lusoga, said.
It was noticeable that the tinge in the monarch’s speech was not oblivious of the six-year wait to assume the throne after incessant wrangles delayed his enthronement.
The deadlock followed the death of the former Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki in September 2008. there has been infighting and disagreements among the Chiefs over who should take up the seat with Gabula competing with Muloki’s son, Wako Wambuzi, the Chief of Bulamogi.
The contest for the throne that was between the new king and Prince Columbus Wambuzi ended on August 23, when royal chiefs elected Prince Gabula.
Gabula, who was elected the Kyabazinga by ten out of the eleven royal chiefs, was confirmed by the Busoga Lukiiko (parliament) on August 25.
Gabula, who arrived at the coronation venue at 2.15pm further preached the need for the preservation of the Busoga heritage and traditions.
“Our clans need to continue teaching the children our traditions and the Lusoga language so as to bring back and promote our heritage,” he said. “We also need to strengthen the family in Busoga because it is where the first training of working together and unity starts. Busoga should continue strengthening the family.”
While introducing the chiefs, Juma Munulo, chief of Bunyah said the fight over the Kyabazinga’s throne has been largely because of the “sweetness” of the seat.
“The problems that we have passed through and the delay to get the Kyabazinga has been because the seat is too sweet and that’s why all the hereditary chiefs have been clamouring for it but at the end, there was only one anointed to take it and that is Gabula,” Chief Munulo said.
President Museveni said the key to the Kyabazingaship was always with the Basoga but they just did not know how to use it to open. He too called for unity.
“You need to work together towards unity. Contact the Balamogi and bring them on. I will also contact them,” Mr Museveni said in reference to the area where Prince Wambuzi, who had laid claim to the throne, is the traditional chief.
“The Bible said that blessed are the peace makers. Do not allow disunity to continue in Busoga. Work on it but be fair and balanced,” Mr Museveni said.
The Speaker of Parliament used the event to list issues that Busoga Kingdom wants government to handle. Among them is; the rehabilitation of the kingdom seat at Bugembe outside Jinja Town, formation of a negotiation team for the return of Busoga properties, construction of houses for the 11 traditional chiefs and a monthly stipend for them.
As one of the people who helped in the rise of Gabula, Ms Rebecca Kadaga said, the King is ready to serve. “Although young, we are giving him to Busoga to do work and we are sure he will do the job,” she said.
The event
Well attended: The coronation was attended by scores of dignitaries including the king of Bunyoro, Solomom Gafabusa Iguru while Prince Kasim Nakibinge represented the Kabaka of Buganda. There were also several traditional leaders and a total of 320 MPs.
Rituals: Omukama Iguru performed the traditional rituals for the enthronement away from the public. However, at Bugembe, the Omukama placed the crown on the Kyabazinga’s head drawing deafening applause and thunderous drumming. Iguru also handed his counterpart a mace as a symbol of authority.
Heritage: The Omukama, who the Kyabazinga addressed as grandfather, performed the traditional rituals because it is believed the great grand-father of Gabule, the Babiito clan, from which ascendants to the Kyabazinga throne hail, came from Bunyoro.
