Succession war may split Busoga
EVEN before Busoga Kyabazinga (king) Henry Wako Muloki was buried, competition for his succession had began. While this fight is deep rooted in the customary succession arrangement, political party inclination has always been a major factor.
By George Bita
in Jinja
EVEN before Busoga Kyabazinga (king) Henry Wako Muloki was buried, competition for his succession had began. While this fight is deep rooted in the customary succession arrangement, political party inclination has always been a major factor.
In 1962, Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope used his political connections with the ruling UPC to muscle out Muloki. In 1996, two political factions each supported a candidate. Parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga fronted Muloki while the other faction led by Kirunda Kivejinja fronted Prince Eriakesi Kiregeya.
History
Bunyoro prince Mukama Namutukula crossed into present-day Kamuli district and fathered five sons whom he gave territories to control. They were Wakholi of Bukhooli chiefdom, Zibondo of Bulamogi, Ngobi of Kigulu, Tabingwa of Luuka and Kitimbo of Bugabula. They became the ruling class among the indigenous Basoga they found there. To date, they form the royal clan known as Abaise Ggobi.
The British used this setup to a forge a local government in 1894. Six other clan representatives were chosen from among the indigenous groups to form a Busoga Lukiiko (supreme ruling council) of 11 hereditary chiefs. To-date, these 11 elect the Kyabazinga, according to the Busoga Constitution.
Chief Ezekiel Wako, father of the late Muloki, became first Kyabazinga on February 11, 1939. Initially the Kyabazinga’s term of office was three months. It was extended to one year and then, five years. Eventually term limits were removed.
Candidates
Busoga must have a new Kyabazinga by December.
Learning from history, all the contenders have aligned themselves with NRM to improve their chances. Opposition parties are still lying low, after striving to make their presence felt during the funeral.
As head of the clan leaders, Christopher Mutyaba automatically became the acting Kyabazinga when Muloki died. “I won’t be pushed, rushed or influenced in the search for a successor. We shall take our time and handle it as an in-house issue of the Basoga.â€
Many believe he might want to stay on as the next Kyabazinga.
Muloki’s heir, Prince Edward Wambuzi, doesn’t have a high chance. Many believe his lineage has got more than its fair share of the throne.
It is the same story for Bugabula Prince Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, 19. But his relatives insist Muloki was only keeping the throne for him as he was too young in 1996.
Prince Patrick Izimba of the Kigulu family, a 40-year-old businessman, is a potential candidate. He boasts of royal ancestors like Chief Obodha, after whom Jinja town’s Oboja street is named.
Prince Tabingwa of Luuka keeps a low-profile. He runs Kampala-based Winna Classic boutique. He may be enjoying working for a living and wouldn’t see himself shifting to a royal lifestyle overnight.
Political influence
The Basoga keep whispering about a move by Kadaga and energy minister Daudi Migereko front Nadiope IV. Another group led by Kirunda Kivejinja is believed to be fronting Izimba.
However, Kadaga says it is too early to discuss succession.
“Why all the hurry? I was in a sorrowful mood that Monday Muloki died and someone called to ask about succession! If he had been near, I would have slapped him! Let the Abattaka (elders) do their work.â€
Margaret Mbeiza, Kaliro woman MP, says Muloki left Busoga in the hands of President Yoweri Museveni. The late Muloki, she says, kept whispering Museveni’s name during his last hours. “So we are looking at Museveni to help the kingdom move forward,†Mbeiza says.
This does not go down well with Baite Munobwa, Lukiiko member and former cabinet minister, who argues that politicizing succession would spell doom for the region. “When politics comes in we shall get ‘His Political Highness’ and not the cherished ‘His Royal Highness’! That is disaster for the region.â€
Despite such cautious voices, political factors will determine the next Kyabazinga. It remains to be seen who will carry the day.
in Jinja
EVEN before Busoga Kyabazinga (king) Henry Wako Muloki was buried, competition for his succession had began. While this fight is deep rooted in the customary succession arrangement, political party inclination has always been a major factor.
In 1962, Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope used his political connections with the ruling UPC to muscle out Muloki. In 1996, two political factions each supported a candidate. Parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga fronted Muloki while the other faction led by Kirunda Kivejinja fronted Prince Eriakesi Kiregeya.
History
Bunyoro prince Mukama Namutukula crossed into present-day Kamuli district and fathered five sons whom he gave territories to control. They were Wakholi of Bukhooli chiefdom, Zibondo of Bulamogi, Ngobi of Kigulu, Tabingwa of Luuka and Kitimbo of Bugabula. They became the ruling class among the indigenous Basoga they found there. To date, they form the royal clan known as Abaise Ggobi.
The British used this setup to a forge a local government in 1894. Six other clan representatives were chosen from among the indigenous groups to form a Busoga Lukiiko (supreme ruling council) of 11 hereditary chiefs. To-date, these 11 elect the Kyabazinga, according to the Busoga Constitution.
Chief Ezekiel Wako, father of the late Muloki, became first Kyabazinga on February 11, 1939. Initially the Kyabazinga’s term of office was three months. It was extended to one year and then, five years. Eventually term limits were removed.
Candidates
Busoga must have a new Kyabazinga by December.
Learning from history, all the contenders have aligned themselves with NRM to improve their chances. Opposition parties are still lying low, after striving to make their presence felt during the funeral.
As head of the clan leaders, Christopher Mutyaba automatically became the acting Kyabazinga when Muloki died. “I won’t be pushed, rushed or influenced in the search for a successor. We shall take our time and handle it as an in-house issue of the Basoga.â€
Many believe he might want to stay on as the next Kyabazinga.
Muloki’s heir, Prince Edward Wambuzi, doesn’t have a high chance. Many believe his lineage has got more than its fair share of the throne.
It is the same story for Bugabula Prince Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, 19. But his relatives insist Muloki was only keeping the throne for him as he was too young in 1996.
Prince Patrick Izimba of the Kigulu family, a 40-year-old businessman, is a potential candidate. He boasts of royal ancestors like Chief Obodha, after whom Jinja town’s Oboja street is named.
Prince Tabingwa of Luuka keeps a low-profile. He runs Kampala-based Winna Classic boutique. He may be enjoying working for a living and wouldn’t see himself shifting to a royal lifestyle overnight.
Political influence
The Basoga keep whispering about a move by Kadaga and energy minister Daudi Migereko front Nadiope IV. Another group led by Kirunda Kivejinja is believed to be fronting Izimba.
However, Kadaga says it is too early to discuss succession.
“Why all the hurry? I was in a sorrowful mood that Monday Muloki died and someone called to ask about succession! If he had been near, I would have slapped him! Let the Abattaka (elders) do their work.â€
Margaret Mbeiza, Kaliro woman MP, says Muloki left Busoga in the hands of President Yoweri Museveni. The late Muloki, she says, kept whispering Museveni’s name during his last hours. “So we are looking at Museveni to help the kingdom move forward,†Mbeiza says.
This does not go down well with Baite Munobwa, Lukiiko member and former cabinet minister, who argues that politicizing succession would spell doom for the region. “When politics comes in we shall get ‘His Political Highness’ and not the cherished ‘His Royal Highness’! That is disaster for the region.â€
Despite such cautious voices, political factors will determine the next Kyabazinga. It remains to be seen who will carry the day.