In pictures: 5th Kyabazinga coronation anniversary

CULTURE | BUSOGA KINGDOM

JINJA - The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, on Friday celebrated his fifth coronation anniversary at Butagaya sub-county headquarters in Jinja district.

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It was a full house as huge crowds gathered at the grounds for the event.

 
Such was the excitement in the air on a generously warm day in this part of the country.

 
The Kyabazinga arrived at the function at about 1:00pm.

 
The event was attended by Presidential Advisor for special operations, Lt Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

 
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga also attended the event.

 
He was welcomed to the function by the kingdom's prime minister (katukiro), Dr. Joseph Muvawala and his deputies Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira and Osman Noor Ahmed.

 
The Kyabazinga was greeted by Miss World Africa Quiin Abenakyo.

 
Busoga Kingdom's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joan Machora Kito (left) led the Umukuuka of Bugisu (2ndR) and his entourage to the venue.

 
Miss World Africa Quiin Abenakyo humbly greeted Busoga Kingdom's second deputy prime minister Osman Noor Ahmed (right) and other officials.

Gabula and Kainerugaba inspected stalls of exhibitors who showcased various agricultural products.

 
This group of Busoga traditional ritual performers were in attendance.

 
Gabula later sounded the traditional royal drums.

 
The celebrations were held under the theme: Preparing a youth based on Busoga cultural norms and virtues.

 
Although Kainerugaba was the guest of honour, he did not address the gathering.

Kadaga hailed the Kyabazinga for promoting education, health services and tourism in the kingdom.

 
The celebrations climaxed with traditional performances from various Kisoga groups. Students of Lubani High Seconday School entertained guests.

 
In his speech, Gabula gave an account of his five-year reign and hailed his subjects for developing their kingdom and Uganda at large.

"We must be flexible, innovative, creative and industrious in order to improve our income. We must also embrace government programmes that aim at improving our general welfare," Gabula said.

He said during his five-year reign, the kingdom had spent over sh10b on educating 7,000 learners in primary, secondary, tertiary institutions and universities.

Gabula said the kingdom had had made several strides in elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, promotion of safe motherhood, promotion of tourism and preserved the environment where more trees have been planted in Busoga.

Gabula said the kingdom had started a project named Ekigangu Kya Busoga to shape young people between the ages of nine and 25 into responsible citizens. He said the project had benefited over 1,000 young people in three years.

The Kyabazinga asked the Government to expedite the process of returning the kingdom's assets that were seized by the central government when kingdoms were abolished. He said the assets would help the kingdom raise money in order to run its activities.

 
The coronation anniversary was attended by visitors from beyond Uganda.

 
The royal cultural tent in which the Kyabazinga sat with his guests.

 
Miss Tourism queens looked glamorous clad in gomesis.

 
Ugandan hip hop and afrobeat artiste John Blaq rocked the stage.

 
Kabaka's message

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, in his message read by Buganda kingdom's second deputy prime minister, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, hailed the strong relationship between Buganda and Busoga.

The Kabaka said he hoped to see their strong relationship culminate in development in both kingdoms.

Gabula, who is the fifth Kyabazinga, was enthroned in August 2014 after being appointed by a quorum of the 11 hereditary chiefs of Busoga.