Nadiope enthroned as Kyabazinga of Busoga

JINJA - William Gabula Nadiope was on Saturday enthroned as the King (Kyabazinga) of Busoga on a vibrant hot day in Bugembe town, Jinja district during a function attended by President Yoweri Museveni as the chief guest.

In his address, President Museveni congratulated the new Kyabazinga, and promised to work with him towards driving Busoga forward. But he advised that if the kingdom is to realize development, its people must be united and be at peace with one another.

 

A huge crowd of people collected for the event, and endured stifling temperatures, at a cultural ceremony attended by several officials at the seat of the Kingdom of Busoga.

 

On the eve of the coronation day, the High Court in Jinja dismissed an injunction filed by Prince Columbus Wambuzi who was seeking to block the coronation of his rival from going ahead.

 

Wambuzi is the son and heir of Henry Wako Muloki the former Kyabazinga who died on September 1, 2008.

 

The fallen leader’s son has said that after his father’s death, the chiefs convened and elected him the successor to the throne.

 

But the High Court’s decision on Friday paved way for the enthronement of Prince Nadiope to go ahead.

 

On Saturday, people flocked in huge numbers at the venue Bugembe. Among the several delegations included those from Alur Kingdom, Bugisu, Bunyoro Kingdom, Tooro Kingdom.
 

 

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Huge crowds started to flock in for the event on Saturday. PHOTO/Donald Kiirya

 

A number of officials including MPs and ministers  also attended. The State minister for gender and culture, Rukia Isanga Nakadama, and Daudi Migereko, minister of lands, housing and urban development were among those who made their presence.

 

Earlier, Nadiope and his subjects made their way to Mpumudde Hill, a cultural site where rituals are done for a new Kyabazinga.

 

Suggested as the biggest function ever in Busoga’s history, the coronation day also saw cultural performances from groups from Busoga.

 

But while the event took place, the camp of Nandiope’s rival – Prince Columbus Wambuzi – is, as expected, not happy at all. Immediately after the court’s decision on Friday, Wambuzi’s supporters took to rioting but were thwarted by heavily deployed security operatives.

 

It is understood that they also continued protesting in Wambuzi’s home district of Kaliro.
 

 

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Students carrying an effigy of William Gabula Nadiope at Bugembe on Saturday. PHOTO/Donald Kiirya
 

 

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Here, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga meets and greets the King of Bunyoro Solomon Iguru I, who is attending the coronation, Budhumbula royal palace. PHOTO/Geoffrey Namukoye
 

 

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Kamuli district LC 5 chairperson Proscovia Salaam Musumba also met the cultural leader. PHOTO/Geoffrey Namukoye
 

 

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Prince William Gabula Nadiope (R) and King of Bunyoro Solomon Iguru I at Budhumbula royal palace. PHOTO/Geoffrey Namukoye
 

 

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The two leaders emerged out of the palace amid ululations from Nadiope's subjects. PHOTO/Geoffrey Namukoye
 

 

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Several events took place early Saturday at the coronation venue, including wrestling. PHOTO/Donald Kiirya