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Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV has celebrated his 10th coronation anniversary.

The Friday, September 13, 2024, function was held at Bukungu Primary School playgrounds in Bugabula Chiefdom, Buyende district.

Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV received by Busoga Kingdom premier Dr Joseph Muvawala at the 10th coronation anniversary celebration. (Courtesy)

The Kyabazinga was accompanied by Inhebantu (queen) Jovia Mutesi, at the celebrations. It was Inhebantu’s first time to attend such a colourful Kyabazinga coronation anniversary.

Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu (queen) Jovia Mutesi waving to the crowd. (Courtesy)

Nadiope and the Inhebantu arrived at the venue at about 2:00pm, where thousands of their subjects had gathered to witness the function.

Thousands gathered to witness the function.

Subjects gathered to witness the function.

Prior to the anniversary celebrations, a local boat competition was organised at Bukungu landing site and it was flagged off by Busoga Kingdom premier Dr Joseph Muvawala who was accompanied by the kingdom finance state minister Ivan Kiirya, Jinja Northern Division MP David Isabirye Agha and Buyende District Woman MP Mary Nakato, among others.

A local boat competition was organised at Bukungu landing site.

After the boat competition, all roads led to the venue of the main event of the 10th coronation anniversary where Muvala and Kiirya welcomed the royals.

The Kyabazinga sounding the royal drum as the Inhebantu (queen) Jovia Mutesi looks on.

Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu (queen) Jovia Mutesi waving to the crowd. (Courtesy)

The Kyabazinga and Inhebantu were ushered to their royal tent by kingdom culture minister Richard Mafumo, as they waved to the mammoth crowd. The Monarch also sounded royal drums.

While at the event, gifts were donated to the Kyabazinga, including, Nile Perch, cows and goats.

Cows were gifted to the Kyabazinga.

Local artistes: Acidic Vokoz, Cilicon Avokoz, Tinah Baibe, Malagala and Afande Kadabada, among others, entertained guests who included Busoga Kingdom ministers, ministers from the central government, Members of Parliament, Busoga royal chiefs, officials from Buganda Kingdom, Religious Leaders and local leaders among others.

First Deputy premier, Rebecca Kadaga, expressed gratitude to those who attended the event and later read President Yoweri Museveni’s message to the Basoga, which included appreciating the Kyabazinga of Busoga for promoting Busoga’s rich cultural heritage, norms and values in Busoga and Uganda at large.

Kadaga introduced the new Miss Busoga Tourism queens before the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu.

Subjects thanked

The Kyabazinga also extended gratitude to religious leaders, his subjects, Members of Parliament, royal chiefs and wellwishers, for turning up at the occasion of his coronation anniversary.

People showing their respects to the Kyabazinga.

The monarch said his ten years on the throne have been marked with unity of purpose, profound leadership, vision and an unwavering commitment to the well-being and prosperity of his subjects and Busoga at large.

The Kyabazinga while planting a tree at the ceremony.

Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV and Inhebantu (queen) Jovia Mutesi cutting cake during the 10th coronation celebration. (Courtesy)

The Kyabazinga serving cake to his subjects during the 10th coronation anniversary celebrations.

Later, the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu planted trees, and were also joined by Kadaga and the Minister for the  Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, among others, cut a cake which they served to the people at the event.