Namibian kings seek Busoga partnership, collaboration

JINJA - Three kings from Namibia, led by Goab Immanuel /Gaseb-King of! Oe-Gan Traditional Authority, also Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia chairperson, have paid a courtesy visit to the Kyabazinga at the Igenge Royal Palace in Jinja.

 The delegation was received by the kingdom's second deputy prime minister Osman Ahmed Noor, on behalf of the Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV.  

 Part of the delegation was Sem Kambazembi of Kambazembi Traditional Authority, who is also the Chairperson Oonani Investment Group (Pty) Ltd, and Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo of Ondonga Traditional Authority, and also the chairperson Namibia Traditional Authorities Trust.

In a show of African brotherhood, the kings expressed their wishes to see an Africa united at the level of traditional African cultural leadership and complementing and supporting each other in development.

They also informed Osman that they were in Busoga to benchmark on cultural roles, how to sustain the Kingdoms and the relationship with the secular government.

King Goab said the dialogue aimed at exchanging insights, sharing experiences, exploring opportunities for collaboration between the Kingdoms and best practices regarding the promotion and advancement of traditional leadership within their societies.

Osman, assured them of Kyabazinga's wide view of culture as a tool for development and the importance of unity of purpose in pursuing common goals. He highlighted Kyabazinga's recent efforts to foster African bonds in the kingdom of ESWATINI and beyond. 

“The Kyabazinga is very aware that what affects an African child in Busoga, Uganda, equally affects a Namibian child—Issues like teenage pregnancies, youth unemployment, poverty, food Insecurity, and more are continental challenges that need collective efforts to confront them,” Osman informed the guests. 

He elaborated on the support from government, private sector, and development partners.

Busoga Kingdom's 2nd deputy Prime Minister Osman Ahmed Noor (right) chatting with King Goab Immanuel Gaseb (2nd left), the King of !Oe-Gan Traditional Authority, who is also the Chairperson Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia, Sem Kambazembi (left), the King of Kambazembi Traditional Authority and Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo (2nd right), the King of Ondonga Traditional Authority, while at Kyabazinga's Igenge Palace in Jinja City on Saturday. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

Osman emphasised the Kyabazinga and Inhebantu's vision to safeguard the African values and traditions, especially the family unit, which is under attack due to globalisation. 

He also informed the meeting that as a cabinet headed by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister Joseph Muvawala, the kingdom uses sports and other means to supplement government programmes in Agriculture, education, and increasing household incomes.

In his remarks, the leader of delegation, Gaseb, commended the kingdom for having a good working relationship with the central government, disclosing that they also have a great working relationship with their own government back home, something that is vital for harmony.

They also shared with the meeting that they benefit from their natural resources as cultural leaders in Namibia and hoped that Busoga Kingdom and others would be like them, since in reality, natural resources like minerals and others rightfully belong to the indigenous people of an area.

Busoga Kingdom’s Minister of Culture Richard Mafumo, Kyabazinga Affairs Minister Yudaya Babirye and Education Minister Nasabu Nantale took the visitors through the cultural setting up of Busoga Kingdom, the Kyabazinga's vision and initiatives, how the kingdom resource mobilises and the interventions in the education sector by the kingdom, such as scholarships, bursaries and skilling programmes, respectively.

Osman summed up the meeting by assuring the king's guests that he will deliver the message to the Kyabazinga and that Busoga Kingdom has many opportunities for support and mutual benefit.

Present at the royal visit was Prince Nkuutu Samuel, the Isabalangira of Busoga.
Notable among the delegation side was Prince Ndawula Joseph (Brother to Kabaka of Buganda) the honorary consul of Uganda in Namibian, Naava Kaana Agnes Zawedde, the Liaison and Protocol Officer of the Buganda Royal family, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mbandeka David a Senior Traditional Councillor and delegation Head of Protocol and Security, Louise Shixwameni, a Senior Traditional Councillor and Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Finance, and Prince Albert Bamm the Prince of Ondonga.  
 
The guests were treated to a breakfast meal and later taken around for a tour of the Source of the Nile.