Busoga Kingdom joins Buddhist World in promoting peace, humanity

KATI - The Busoga Kingdom has announced a new era of collaboration with the international Buddhist community.

Sources at the Busoga palace report that the move underscores a deliberate strategy to harness shared values between Busoga’s Ubuntu-inspired philosophy and Buddhist teachings for tangible impact on humanity.

The partnership will promote: global peace, cultural unity, and the alleviation of human suffering following the Kyabazinga’s historic participation in the World Buddhist Summit and International Buddhist Day celebrations in Kati city, Japan.

Kyabazinga (King of Busoga) William Gabula Nadiope IV,  earlier this week, attended the celebrations as the global representative of kingdoms worldwide at the events in Japan, led a high-level delegation from Busoga.

King of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (C) performing Kanbutsu, the ritual of pouring the sacred water onto the statue of newborn Buddha at the flowered shrine outside the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism in Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple in Kobe City, Japan. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

At the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism in Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple, the Kyabazinga, clad in his royal robes, was welcomed amidst chants from a mammoth crowd of Japanese natives who were present as they shouted “Yokoso” meaning ‘You are Welcome’ while waving flags of Buddhism. 

After the colourful welcome, Gabula was led to the Sakyamuni hall for the grand ceremony of International Buddhist Day celebrations.

The Busoga delegation attended the festivities at the invitation of Dr. Kyuse Enshinjoh, Founding President of the World Buddhist Summit.

Uganda’s ambassador to Japan, Tophace Byagira Kaahwa, also attended the events.

A commemorative photo session was organised in front of the Sakyamuni hall, and later the Kyabazinga and his delegation were led to perform ‘Kanbutsu’, a ritual of pouring water onto the statue of the newborn Buddha.

The ritual is the most praiseworthy way of showing reverence to the Buddha.

Delivering the King’s message, Yudaya Babirye, the Minister in the Office of the Kyabazinga and Executive Director of Kyabazinga Initiatives, made the partnership explicit.

Monks performing the chanting of the Suntra at the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism in Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple during celebrations to mark the International Buddhist Day. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

“His Majesty is pleased with the collaboration, especially in spreading the message of having a peaceful mind and the need to have a peaceful society in a world where there is a lot of conflict and suffering,” she stated.

According to Babirye, Buddha’s ideals of unity of purpose and peace transcend cultures and mirror Busoga’s own principle of Ubuntu (I am because we are).

She described the overwhelming welcome with crowds chanting “Yokoso” for three hours as proof that cultures can join hands and make the world a better place.

The Minister added that the kingdom intends to learn from Buddhist hospitality while sharing African communal values, creating a two-way exchange for humanity’s benefit.

Prince Wilson Nadiope, the Director of Kyabazinga Initiatives, reaffirmed that "unity is an avenue to restore  community values of obuntu in Lusoga— what other people will refer to as Ubuntu."

He highlighted Buddhist practices of meditation and appreciation of nature as complementary to Busoga’s pillar of unity of purpose, noting that together they enable communities to achieve more than being separate.

A large crowd gathered at the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism in Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple to welcome the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, at celebrations to mark the International Buddhist Day. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

Prince Nadiope expressed the delegation’s determination to put these lessons into practice: “We can’t wait to put some of these things into practice for the betterment of the people of Busoga and Uganda. Some of the  ideas from this meeting will support the various programs  in the kingdom.”

Dr. Bhikkhu Buddharakkhita Kaboggoza, Founder and Abbot of the Uganda Buddhist Centre, who in 2008 was the first African participant at the annual summit, explained the spiritual foundation for the partnership.

Asked about the heavy presence of royalty from different places, including Bhutan, Cambodia and Thailand, Kabogooza explained that Buddhism revolves around the kingdoms because the Buddha himself was a prince.

Dr. Kaboggoza revealed that Uganda will host its own International Buddha Day celebrations upon the delegation’s return.

He said this will provide an immediate platform for the new Busoga-Buddhist partnership to take root locally while extending its reach globally.

By linking Busoga’s long-standing community development programmes with Buddhist global networks, the kingdom aims to create practical initiatives — from peace education and meditation programmes to cultural exchange and humanitarian projects- that address conflict and suffering both in Uganda and beyond.

Kingdom officials describe Gabula's engagements in Japan as one way of using cultural diplomacy and shared spiritual values to build a more peaceful, united world — one mindful community at a time.