Mengo wants to provoke me, says Ssabaruuli
Aug 13, 2007
SSAABARUULI Mwogezi Butamanya, the elected cultural leader of the Baruuli in Nakasongola, has said Kabaka’s recent visit to the area was a ploy by the Mengo establishment to provoke him and undermine his authority.
By Frederick Kiwanuka
In Nakasongola
SSAABARUULI Mwogezi Butamanya, the elected cultural leader of the Baruuli in Nakasongola, has said Kabaka’s recent visit to the area was a ploy by the Mengo establishment to provoke him and undermine his authority.
Mwogezi said Kabaka Ronald Mutebi did not notify him of the July 28 visit.
“As his host, he should have notified me of the visit,†stated the Ssaabaruuli, who said he has equal authority with the Kabaka.
“I usually notify the Isebantu (Busoga king) whenever I visit Busoga.â€
Mwogezi, an open critic of the Mengo institution, called for a meeting of the loyal Baruuli clan leaders on the eve of the Kabaka’s visit, in an attempt to block the visit.
His whereabouts the next day were unknown as he did not attend any of the Kabaka’s functions. His phone was switched off and he abandoned his two-room rented house in Nakasongola town.
The Kabaka, who received a big welcome from the residents, launched a maize mill in Kakooge, before addressing a public rally at Nakasongola.
He later presided over a soccer match between Buruuli and Bulemeezi counties.
The visit was characterised by heavy deployment of security personnel, which included, the Presidential Guard Brigade, regular and anti-riot Police from Kampala, Luweero and Nakasongola.
The Ssaabaruuli said the heavy security was a sign of the Kabaka’s waning influence among the people of Buruuli.
He added that he influenced the local officials to deny Kabaka access to an old office building constructed by the Mengo government at the district headquarters.
The building houses the offices of the LC5 chairman and that of the resident district commissioner.
The Kabaka had lunch and met the local chiefs and political leaders in an office next to the building.
In Nakasongola
SSAABARUULI Mwogezi Butamanya, the elected cultural leader of the Baruuli in Nakasongola, has said Kabaka’s recent visit to the area was a ploy by the Mengo establishment to provoke him and undermine his authority.
Mwogezi said Kabaka Ronald Mutebi did not notify him of the July 28 visit.
“As his host, he should have notified me of the visit,†stated the Ssaabaruuli, who said he has equal authority with the Kabaka.
“I usually notify the Isebantu (Busoga king) whenever I visit Busoga.â€
Mwogezi, an open critic of the Mengo institution, called for a meeting of the loyal Baruuli clan leaders on the eve of the Kabaka’s visit, in an attempt to block the visit.
His whereabouts the next day were unknown as he did not attend any of the Kabaka’s functions. His phone was switched off and he abandoned his two-room rented house in Nakasongola town.
The Kabaka, who received a big welcome from the residents, launched a maize mill in Kakooge, before addressing a public rally at Nakasongola.
He later presided over a soccer match between Buruuli and Bulemeezi counties.
The visit was characterised by heavy deployment of security personnel, which included, the Presidential Guard Brigade, regular and anti-riot Police from Kampala, Luweero and Nakasongola.
The Ssaabaruuli said the heavy security was a sign of the Kabaka’s waning influence among the people of Buruuli.
He added that he influenced the local officials to deny Kabaka access to an old office building constructed by the Mengo government at the district headquarters.
The building houses the offices of the LC5 chairman and that of the resident district commissioner.
The Kabaka had lunch and met the local chiefs and political leaders in an office next to the building.