Qualities the new Busoga Kyabazinga should have
The clock is ticking. The Basoga should have a new king (Kyabazinga) 90 days from the burial of Henry Wako Muloki on September 8. The royal councils of chiefs will be looking at the resumes of the princes who are eligible and have shown interest in the throne. They range from aging men in their 80s
By Edwadi Kayondo
The clock is ticking. The Basoga should have a new king (Kyabazinga) 90 days from the burial of Henry Wako Muloki on September 8. The royal councils of chiefs will be looking at the resumes of the princes who are eligible and have shown interest in the throne. They range from aging men in their 80s to the youth and have diverse occupations, professions and lifestyles. They include Wako Wambuzi (retired Chief Justice), Ivan Kyayonka (managing director of Shell), Gagawala Wambuzi (trade minister), Chris Mudoola (career pilot) Patrick Izimba (shopkeeper), Willy Nyaa (business man), Nkobe- Kiregeya (property broker) and Gabula Nadiobe (university student). The council will prioritise.
Education
The past three Kyabazingas were well educated for their times. They went to some of the best education institutions in Uganda and abroad. Ezekiel Wako went to Kings School Budo, William Nadiope to Budo and Trent College, Derbyshire, and Wako Muloki went to Budo, Makerere College and Durham University. Some other traditional leaders have also had good qualifications. Sir. Edward Mutesa went to Makerere College and Cambridge University, Prince John Barigye to Cambridge University, Ronald Mutebi to Cambridge University, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya to Gayaza High School, Shebourne Girls School and Cambridge University. Education enables one to have a historical perspective, a present overview and projection or vision for the future of the institution, country and the globe. The council has a duty to match or surpass the standards set by previous Kyabazingas. Computer literacy would be an added advantage.
Career
Eligible princes who have shown interest in the kingship should have or be on the way to having a career either in the professions or business with a sound financial base. The new Kyabazinga should not be a parasite on Busoga but rather should bring something to the Busoga table in a symbiotic relationship. Education and a financial base will enable him to make fair and independent decisions and act as an insurance against political vaglaries like the removal of the Kyabazinga or the abolition of the institution. Muloki was a good example of a civil servant and manager who did well outside the kingship.
Humility and firmness
Muloki was one of the humblest people I have met. Humility will enable the new Kyabazinga to deal with the diverse Soga community composed of elites like ministers, MPs, politicians, the clergy, business community and peasants. Relating to these groups will enable the Kyabazinga to propagate his development agenda, including welfare, education, health and infrastructure that Busoga needs. Basoga and Uganda need a firm leader to galvanise and mobilise them. He should not take part in partisan politics.
Respect
The new Kyabazinga will have to command and earn respect from his subjects in order to mobilise them for development. He should have a good family background, be of average height, have moderate ways, be religious and should have or be ready to have a respectable Soga wife fit to be the Inhebantu of Busoga.
He should not be too young to have regents, wear out and bore his subjects with a long reign neither should he be too old to save his subjects from another mourning period coming on the heels of this one.
Military training
It is used to be mandatory for crown princes to undergo military training during the State formation and anti-colonial struggles. Later on, this came to symbolise the ability of kings to protect their subjects and territory-military skills came in handy like during the 1966 battle of Mengo. A chaka muchaka (political education) course could enhance the princes chance of taking over the throne.
The writer is an admirer of
traditional institutions
The clock is ticking. The Basoga should have a new king (Kyabazinga) 90 days from the burial of Henry Wako Muloki on September 8. The royal councils of chiefs will be looking at the resumes of the princes who are eligible and have shown interest in the throne. They range from aging men in their 80s to the youth and have diverse occupations, professions and lifestyles. They include Wako Wambuzi (retired Chief Justice), Ivan Kyayonka (managing director of Shell), Gagawala Wambuzi (trade minister), Chris Mudoola (career pilot) Patrick Izimba (shopkeeper), Willy Nyaa (business man), Nkobe- Kiregeya (property broker) and Gabula Nadiobe (university student). The council will prioritise.
Education
The past three Kyabazingas were well educated for their times. They went to some of the best education institutions in Uganda and abroad. Ezekiel Wako went to Kings School Budo, William Nadiope to Budo and Trent College, Derbyshire, and Wako Muloki went to Budo, Makerere College and Durham University. Some other traditional leaders have also had good qualifications. Sir. Edward Mutesa went to Makerere College and Cambridge University, Prince John Barigye to Cambridge University, Ronald Mutebi to Cambridge University, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya to Gayaza High School, Shebourne Girls School and Cambridge University. Education enables one to have a historical perspective, a present overview and projection or vision for the future of the institution, country and the globe. The council has a duty to match or surpass the standards set by previous Kyabazingas. Computer literacy would be an added advantage.
Career
Eligible princes who have shown interest in the kingship should have or be on the way to having a career either in the professions or business with a sound financial base. The new Kyabazinga should not be a parasite on Busoga but rather should bring something to the Busoga table in a symbiotic relationship. Education and a financial base will enable him to make fair and independent decisions and act as an insurance against political vaglaries like the removal of the Kyabazinga or the abolition of the institution. Muloki was a good example of a civil servant and manager who did well outside the kingship.
Humility and firmness
Muloki was one of the humblest people I have met. Humility will enable the new Kyabazinga to deal with the diverse Soga community composed of elites like ministers, MPs, politicians, the clergy, business community and peasants. Relating to these groups will enable the Kyabazinga to propagate his development agenda, including welfare, education, health and infrastructure that Busoga needs. Basoga and Uganda need a firm leader to galvanise and mobilise them. He should not take part in partisan politics.
Respect
The new Kyabazinga will have to command and earn respect from his subjects in order to mobilise them for development. He should have a good family background, be of average height, have moderate ways, be religious and should have or be ready to have a respectable Soga wife fit to be the Inhebantu of Busoga.
He should not be too young to have regents, wear out and bore his subjects with a long reign neither should he be too old to save his subjects from another mourning period coming on the heels of this one.
Military training
It is used to be mandatory for crown princes to undergo military training during the State formation and anti-colonial struggles. Later on, this came to symbolise the ability of kings to protect their subjects and territory-military skills came in handy like during the 1966 battle of Mengo. A chaka muchaka (political education) course could enhance the princes chance of taking over the throne.
The writer is an admirer of
traditional institutions