Omwen’engo cautions Bugwe politicians against undermining kingdom
The Omwen’engo (king), Robert Obara Nahama III, said no individual is above Obwen’engo Bwa Bugwe Cultural Institution, warning that disrespecting it could lead to serious implications, especially for politicians still seeking leadership positions.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (3rd left), the kingdom’s education minister and vice chancellor of Makerere University and Omwen’engo (king), Robert Obara Nahama III (2nd right) handing over books to Nelvine Sanyu. (Photos by Egessa Hajusu)
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Politicians operating within the jurisdiction of Obwen’engo Bwa Bugwe Cultural Institution have been cautioned against disrespecting or undermining the kingdom.
The Omwen’engo (king), Robert Obara Nahama III, said no individual is above Obwen’engo Bwa Bugwe Cultural Institution, warning that disrespecting it could lead to serious implications, especially for politicians still seeking leadership positions.
“The Obwen’engo is bigger than all of you and therefore you should not disrespect it because you found and you will leave it there,” Omwen’engo said.
He said he would soon convene a meeting with the Busia resident district commissioner, councillors and members of parliament, whom he insisted must attend in person, to discuss development issues in the district and promote unity.
The Omwen’engo said politicians must work closely with the people and the kingdom.
“Those who distanced themselves from the kingdom are nowhere to be seen today,” he said, adding that politicians should not only draw closer during election periods.
Call for unity
He noted that the kingdom depends on its people for development and urged subjects to remain united and willing to work collectively.
Obara was speaking on July 3, 2026, during the launch of the Obwen’engo Bwa Bugwe education fund at Golden Gardens Hotel in Masafu town council, Busia district.
The fund, initiated in 2022, aims to reduce school dropout rates, increase equitable access to education and ensure balanced educational opportunities across the 20 sub-counties in Busia district.
According to Michael Wanyama, the deputy education minister and commissioner for the higher education financing scheme, the fund mainly targets bright but needy children who fail to join secondary school after completing Primary Seven, contributing to a transition dropout rate of 50%.
The fund relies on contributions from subjects of Obwen’engo, donations, grants, and government support. It currently supports 34 secondary school students, one primary school and several students in universities in India, China and the Philippines.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the kingdom’s education minister and vice chancellor of Makerere University, initiated the education fund with a personal contribution of sh5 million in 2022.
Nawangwe appealed to each of the 50,000 adults in the kingdom to contribute sh5,000, saying the funds would be enough to support all bright but vulnerable children, many of whom are still at home without access to education.
“Some of us who studied abroad had the chance of being supported by people we will never know and that is why we are doing everything to ensure that we give back to our community,” Nawangwe said.
He expressed optimism that beneficiaries of the scheme will grow into respected kingdom subjects who will elevate Obwen’engo in the future.
Nawangwe also commended parents for grooming their children well and urged more subjects to contribute to the education scheme.
Busia assistant resident district commissioner Jacqueline Masika said the initiative aligns with government policy of ensuring that all students attain a basic level of education.
Busia Border Seed School head teacher Dominic Maloba thanked the kingdom for the intervention and urged supported students to work hard and give back to the scheme.
He said the head teachers’ association will soon announce its contribution to the fund by sponsoring additional students.
Beneficiaries of the programme, Nelvine Sanyu and Junior Odwela, commended the kingdom, saying they were identified at a critical time when their hopes of continuing education were fading.