Busoga Kingdom mourns Kyabazinga
A REQUIEM service was held yesterday at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe for the repose of the soul of the late Kyabazinga of Busoga, Henry Wako Muloki who succumbed to cancer of the throat last Monday.
By George Bita, Henry Mukasa and Esther Mukyala in Jinja
A REQUIEM service was held yesterday at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe for the repose of the soul of the late Kyabazinga (king) of Busoga, Henry Wako Muloki. Muloki, 87, succumbed to cancer of the throat last Monday at Mulago Hospital. The Ssabalangira (chief prince), Mutyaba Mutyabule, is the acting Kyabazinga.
The king’s seat in the cathedral, where he was a regular and member of the Fathers’ Union, remained unoccupied throughout the service.
Mutyaba and the Katuukiro (prime minister), Wilson Muwereza, sat on either side of the vacant giant chair.
Various speakers extolled Muloki as a great but humble leader who never crossed constitutional boundaries.
Dignitaries also blasted chiefs positioning themselves to take over the Busoga throne before Muloki is buried, while others called for granting of more power to kingdoms.
The five-hour service that started at 9:00am, was preceded by both the Busoga and Uganda national anthems. The congregation was served with bottled water as they listened the five-hour service and eulogies.
The service was attended by the Nabagereka Sylivia Nagginda, deputy Buganda premier Emmanuel Ssendawula, the Rwot of Alur, former Chief Justice Wako Wambuzi, ministers, MPs, religious leaders and a large crowd of mourners.
Miria Obote (UPC), Sam Njuba (FDC) and Ken Lukyamuzi (CP) represented their political parties. Parliament deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga was disgusted with the way the royals were jostling over succeeding Muloki.
“I got a call on Monday night and if that person was nearby, I would have slapped him because he didn’t know my sorrowful mood. He was saying, ‘do you know what is going on in Jinja? The elders on Spire Road want to install their own Isebantu and deny us a chance!†a tough-talking Kadaga narrated.
She wondered why instead of giving Muloki a befitting send-off, the subjects were battling for his replacement. “Let them stop! What is the hurry for? Let us give our father (Isebantu) a descent burial and sort out other issues at an appropriate time.â€
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his efforts to save Muloki’s life. Kadaga, who outlined the Muloki’s contribution to society, challenged the contenders for the throne to carry rich credentials that can measure up to Muloki’s.
She was responding to a passionate speech by Mutyaba, who said the kingdom would not be rushed into choosing Muloki’s successor.
“You gave me this responsibility (of acting king). I will move slowly. I will keep the seat until we get a suitable person. I don’t want to cause regrets later,†Mutyaba said to applause, and muted murmurs of enteebe ewooma (power is sweet).
Former MP Moses Kizige and Jinja Woman MP Ruth Tuma, who were masters of ceremonies, concurred with Mutyaba. The kingdom constitution demands that the royal council picks a successor within 90 days.
Kizige delivered a special message from the national football team, The Cranes, composed of five subjects of Muloki. They promised to win the game against Niger in honour of the Kyabazinga.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, who represented the Government, noted that the congregation was sending off a “great traditional leader who forged a harmonious relationship between Busoga and the Central Government.â€
He praised Kyabazinga for observing Article 246 of the Constitution that forbids traditional leaders from partisan politics. “If they do so they divide their kingdom and antagonise the Central Government.â€
“Muloki has fought a good fight and has finished the race. He has kept the faith and now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award him,†Nsibambi said in relation to a biblical verse (Tim.4: 7-8).
“Despite his numerous achievements, he was humble and accessible,†Nsibambi said as the mourners clapped. Whenever the Government made mistakes, Nsibambi said, Muloki would make an appointment with either him or the President and point them out in a diplomatic way.
The retired Bishop of Busoga, Cyprian Bamwoze, said Muloki achieved a lot when kingdoms still wielded political power.
After drawing Nsibambi’s attention, Bamwoze added: “Could it be that the apparent service of traditional institutions is challenging the Central Government to restate its position with regard to traditional institutions. All the things mentioned that Muloki managed to do were done before the institution was stripped off political power.
“I say, I don’t know. I am merely raising an issue because tomorrow I might not be around to answer. Is there a cause to use traditional institutions (to implement some programmes) because they evoke emotional response?†Bamwoze asked to thunderous applause from mourners.
Buganda deputy premier Ssendawula observed that Muloki’s death “gives the Government a challenge on how it relates with traditional leaders without friction.â€
He also thanked Museveni for looking after Muloki but added: “It would be better appreciated when the Government helps traditional leaders perform their duties.â€
Ssendawula asked the Basoga to remain united during the search for a new king.
Prince Fred Mukunya described his late father as, “a loving parent, open and understanding.â€
“He lived his life to the full. Just when we thought he was getting better, we got shocked that he had died,†Mukunya said.
Rebecca Muloki, who stayed by her father’s deathbed, said the Kyabazinga’s life deteriorated fast after the death of the Inebantu (Queen) Alice in November 2005.
“Two men set out to fight a common war. The one who fell on the battlefield is lying here dead. The one who is victorious is President Museveni. We are behind him, he should not lose hope,†Muloki said in appreciation of Museveni’s support in a statement read by Kaliro MP Margaret Mbeiza.
Busoga Bishop Michael Kyomya described Muloki as a humble leader in whom all Basoga had pride.
Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, in a condolence message read by Kyomya, applauded the king’s relation with the church.
Gender minister Syda Bumba caused excitement when she commended the DP vice-chairperson for eastern region, Baswale Kezaala, for disagreeing with his party president Ssebaana Kizito on the Government’s care for Muloki.
Ssebaana had said Muloki had died a frustrated man but Kezaala told journalists in Jinja that the Government’s role in treating, transporting and looking after the Kyabazinga was vast.
Bumba said Muloki stood firm when some politicians in the region fought against the Bujagali hydropower project.
A REQUIEM service was held yesterday at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe for the repose of the soul of the late Kyabazinga (king) of Busoga, Henry Wako Muloki. Muloki, 87, succumbed to cancer of the throat last Monday at Mulago Hospital. The Ssabalangira (chief prince), Mutyaba Mutyabule, is the acting Kyabazinga.
The king’s seat in the cathedral, where he was a regular and member of the Fathers’ Union, remained unoccupied throughout the service.
Mutyaba and the Katuukiro (prime minister), Wilson Muwereza, sat on either side of the vacant giant chair.
Various speakers extolled Muloki as a great but humble leader who never crossed constitutional boundaries.
Dignitaries also blasted chiefs positioning themselves to take over the Busoga throne before Muloki is buried, while others called for granting of more power to kingdoms.
The five-hour service that started at 9:00am, was preceded by both the Busoga and Uganda national anthems. The congregation was served with bottled water as they listened the five-hour service and eulogies.
The service was attended by the Nabagereka Sylivia Nagginda, deputy Buganda premier Emmanuel Ssendawula, the Rwot of Alur, former Chief Justice Wako Wambuzi, ministers, MPs, religious leaders and a large crowd of mourners.
Miria Obote (UPC), Sam Njuba (FDC) and Ken Lukyamuzi (CP) represented their political parties. Parliament deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga was disgusted with the way the royals were jostling over succeeding Muloki.
“I got a call on Monday night and if that person was nearby, I would have slapped him because he didn’t know my sorrowful mood. He was saying, ‘do you know what is going on in Jinja? The elders on Spire Road want to install their own Isebantu and deny us a chance!†a tough-talking Kadaga narrated.
She wondered why instead of giving Muloki a befitting send-off, the subjects were battling for his replacement. “Let them stop! What is the hurry for? Let us give our father (Isebantu) a descent burial and sort out other issues at an appropriate time.â€
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his efforts to save Muloki’s life. Kadaga, who outlined the Muloki’s contribution to society, challenged the contenders for the throne to carry rich credentials that can measure up to Muloki’s.
She was responding to a passionate speech by Mutyaba, who said the kingdom would not be rushed into choosing Muloki’s successor.
“You gave me this responsibility (of acting king). I will move slowly. I will keep the seat until we get a suitable person. I don’t want to cause regrets later,†Mutyaba said to applause, and muted murmurs of enteebe ewooma (power is sweet).
Former MP Moses Kizige and Jinja Woman MP Ruth Tuma, who were masters of ceremonies, concurred with Mutyaba. The kingdom constitution demands that the royal council picks a successor within 90 days.
Kizige delivered a special message from the national football team, The Cranes, composed of five subjects of Muloki. They promised to win the game against Niger in honour of the Kyabazinga.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, who represented the Government, noted that the congregation was sending off a “great traditional leader who forged a harmonious relationship between Busoga and the Central Government.â€
He praised Kyabazinga for observing Article 246 of the Constitution that forbids traditional leaders from partisan politics. “If they do so they divide their kingdom and antagonise the Central Government.â€
“Muloki has fought a good fight and has finished the race. He has kept the faith and now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award him,†Nsibambi said in relation to a biblical verse (Tim.4: 7-8).
“Despite his numerous achievements, he was humble and accessible,†Nsibambi said as the mourners clapped. Whenever the Government made mistakes, Nsibambi said, Muloki would make an appointment with either him or the President and point them out in a diplomatic way.
The retired Bishop of Busoga, Cyprian Bamwoze, said Muloki achieved a lot when kingdoms still wielded political power.
After drawing Nsibambi’s attention, Bamwoze added: “Could it be that the apparent service of traditional institutions is challenging the Central Government to restate its position with regard to traditional institutions. All the things mentioned that Muloki managed to do were done before the institution was stripped off political power.
“I say, I don’t know. I am merely raising an issue because tomorrow I might not be around to answer. Is there a cause to use traditional institutions (to implement some programmes) because they evoke emotional response?†Bamwoze asked to thunderous applause from mourners.
Buganda deputy premier Ssendawula observed that Muloki’s death “gives the Government a challenge on how it relates with traditional leaders without friction.â€
He also thanked Museveni for looking after Muloki but added: “It would be better appreciated when the Government helps traditional leaders perform their duties.â€
Ssendawula asked the Basoga to remain united during the search for a new king.
Prince Fred Mukunya described his late father as, “a loving parent, open and understanding.â€
“He lived his life to the full. Just when we thought he was getting better, we got shocked that he had died,†Mukunya said.
Rebecca Muloki, who stayed by her father’s deathbed, said the Kyabazinga’s life deteriorated fast after the death of the Inebantu (Queen) Alice in November 2005.
“Two men set out to fight a common war. The one who fell on the battlefield is lying here dead. The one who is victorious is President Museveni. We are behind him, he should not lose hope,†Muloki said in appreciation of Museveni’s support in a statement read by Kaliro MP Margaret Mbeiza.
Busoga Bishop Michael Kyomya described Muloki as a humble leader in whom all Basoga had pride.
Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, in a condolence message read by Kyomya, applauded the king’s relation with the church.
Gender minister Syda Bumba caused excitement when she commended the DP vice-chairperson for eastern region, Baswale Kezaala, for disagreeing with his party president Ssebaana Kizito on the Government’s care for Muloki.
Ssebaana had said Muloki had died a frustrated man but Kezaala told journalists in Jinja that the Government’s role in treating, transporting and looking after the Kyabazinga was vast.
Bumba said Muloki stood firm when some politicians in the region fought against the Bujagali hydropower project.