Bukenya visits shrine for 3rd term
Dec 07, 2004
The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, on Monday visited a traditional shrine and asked his ancestors for peace and to grant President Yoweri Museveni a third term in office.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, on Monday visited a traditional shrine and asked his ancestors for peace and to grant President Yoweri Museveni a third term in office.
The shrine at Kassewalaga in Masaka district is owned by Hajji Bruhan Katale, chairman of Utoda Put Safe (UPS).
Bukenya, who was on a district tour, went to Katale’s home to inspect a rice project run under the Ambulu Demonstration Farm in Mukungwe sub-county in Bukoto East. The rice is grown by UPS members.
Katale asked Bukenya to enter the grass-thatched shrine after planting a tree, which Bukenya did, saying he wanted to test Katale’s spirits.
He was received by pipe-smoking diviners, who asked him to remove his shoes. His escorts remained outside as he entered the shrine. He was accompanied by chanting people, some clad in bark cloth and singing Luganda traditional songs, especially those sang at rituals to welcome newborn twins.
The floor was covered with grass and mats and barkcloth hang on some parts of the wall. A bright fire burnt in the centre of the room.
The VP knelt near the hearth, where he prayed with arms raised. He was given coffee beans, some of which he ate, while he put others in baskets to appease ancestors and gods. Amid clapping and singing, the diviners gave him some other items and blessed him as he joined the choruses and clapping.
Bukenya was led to several corners decorated with spears, knives, animal skins, gourds and other traditional items. He sat down as they sang. He later knelt together with them and prayed.
“Bajjajja bweza, mutwongere emikisa, empewo za bajjajja, mulwanyise ebizibu ebiyinza okulemesa Muvumenti okugenda mu maaso, muyambe pulezidenti Museveni n’ekisanja kigende bulungi n’ebirala byonna bitereere,†he said in Luganda, as he asked the ancestors to bless the President and the Movement and make the third term bid for the President in 2006 smooth.
Bukenya was given some items which he threw on fire as he spoke some words. He put some money and coffee beans in baskets representing different gods.
The diviners promised to go to Bukenya’s home soon and help him build a similar shrine to settle his spirits (empewo). The group has camped at Katale’s shrine for three days, drumming and singing. Several animals were slaughtered and sacrificed to the spirits during this period.
Bukenya’s entourage included the West Buganda Bishop, Dr. Keefa Kamya Ssemakula, who refused to enter the shrine.
“That is satanic. Hajji Katale has done wrong to involve our guest in such issues when on national duty,†Ssemakula told the press. Bukenya had also visited the bishop’s rice garden at Kako.
Masaka LC5 chairman Vincent Ssempijja said he also refused to enter the shrine. “I do not know why this is being done,†he said.
Present at the function were the Masaka district Woman MP, Sauda Mugerwa and the deputy resident district commissioner, Teopista Ssenkungo.
Bukenya thanked the residents for their love for President Museveni. He said Museveni had long-term plans and strategies, which they should allow him to complete by voting for the third term.
Ends
The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, on Monday visited a traditional shrine and asked his ancestors for peace and to grant President Yoweri Museveni a third term in office.
The shrine at Kassewalaga in Masaka district is owned by Hajji Bruhan Katale, chairman of Utoda Put Safe (UPS).
Bukenya, who was on a district tour, went to Katale’s home to inspect a rice project run under the Ambulu Demonstration Farm in Mukungwe sub-county in Bukoto East. The rice is grown by UPS members.
Katale asked Bukenya to enter the grass-thatched shrine after planting a tree, which Bukenya did, saying he wanted to test Katale’s spirits.
He was received by pipe-smoking diviners, who asked him to remove his shoes. His escorts remained outside as he entered the shrine. He was accompanied by chanting people, some clad in bark cloth and singing Luganda traditional songs, especially those sang at rituals to welcome newborn twins.
The floor was covered with grass and mats and barkcloth hang on some parts of the wall. A bright fire burnt in the centre of the room.
The VP knelt near the hearth, where he prayed with arms raised. He was given coffee beans, some of which he ate, while he put others in baskets to appease ancestors and gods. Amid clapping and singing, the diviners gave him some other items and blessed him as he joined the choruses and clapping.
Bukenya was led to several corners decorated with spears, knives, animal skins, gourds and other traditional items. He sat down as they sang. He later knelt together with them and prayed.
“Bajjajja bweza, mutwongere emikisa, empewo za bajjajja, mulwanyise ebizibu ebiyinza okulemesa Muvumenti okugenda mu maaso, muyambe pulezidenti Museveni n’ekisanja kigende bulungi n’ebirala byonna bitereere,†he said in Luganda, as he asked the ancestors to bless the President and the Movement and make the third term bid for the President in 2006 smooth.
Bukenya was given some items which he threw on fire as he spoke some words. He put some money and coffee beans in baskets representing different gods.
The diviners promised to go to Bukenya’s home soon and help him build a similar shrine to settle his spirits (empewo). The group has camped at Katale’s shrine for three days, drumming and singing. Several animals were slaughtered and sacrificed to the spirits during this period.
Bukenya’s entourage included the West Buganda Bishop, Dr. Keefa Kamya Ssemakula, who refused to enter the shrine.
“That is satanic. Hajji Katale has done wrong to involve our guest in such issues when on national duty,†Ssemakula told the press. Bukenya had also visited the bishop’s rice garden at Kako.
Masaka LC5 chairman Vincent Ssempijja said he also refused to enter the shrine. “I do not know why this is being done,†he said.
Present at the function were the Masaka district Woman MP, Sauda Mugerwa and the deputy resident district commissioner, Teopista Ssenkungo.
Bukenya thanked the residents for their love for President Museveni. He said Museveni had long-term plans and strategies, which they should allow him to complete by voting for the third term.
Ends