{UAH} The Observer - Second Kyabazinga election deepens Busoga throne wars
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The Observer - Second Kyabazinga election deepens Busoga throne wars
Monday, 01 September 2014 00:12
A royal chief prepares a traditional seat for Nadiope to sit as the newly elected king
Just a few days after the August 23 election of Prince William Wilberforce Kadumbula Gabula IV as the new Kyabazinga, a faction of the kingdom has declared its own king. On Friday, a group from Bulamogi county announced that they had elected Gabula's rival, Prince Columbus Wambuzi, as the Kyabazinga.
The pro-Wambuzi group, led by the presidential advisor on poverty alleviation in Busoga, Maureen Kyaalya and Bulamogi MP Kenneth Lubogo, held their parallel election at Nakabango, the palace of former Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki, the late father of Prince Wambuzi.
One of the major surprises at the Wambuzi election was the presence of Prince Daudi Kawunhe Wakooli, who has served as acting Kyabazinga since the demise of Muloki some seven years ago. Kawunhe, who also attended the election of Gabula and announced him as the new Kyabazinga, surprised those present at Nakabango when he handed over the "instruments of power" to Wambuzi. The instruments included a spear, Kyabazinga-ship gown, a drum and a shield.
Explaining his actions, Kawunhe claimed he had only performed a similar ceremony for Gabula due to pressure from individuals he did not name. Gabula had been elected by 10 of the 11 royal chiefs.
"I was forced to sign the documents that approved Gabula but the truth is that even court knows that Wambuzi is the true Kyabazinga of Busoga," said Kawunhe.
It is the third time in seven years that the two princes are 'elected' at separate ceremonies, a signal that the succession rift that emerged after the death of Muloki is far from settled.
Museveni recognises Gabula
Interestingly, a day before the pro-Wambuzi campconducted its own election, President Museveni had met Gabula and a delegation of 15 Busoga kingdom officials at State House Entebbe. Museveni had reached out to Gabula a day after his election, reportedly making a direct call to the prince to congratulate him on being chosen as new Kyabazinga.
At the Entebbe meeting, according to sources who were in attendance, Museveni expressed his happiness that Gabula's election had been carried out in accordance with the dictates of the Busoga constitution.
"The previous elections had a problem of lack of quorum as required by the constitution of Busoga kingdom but I am happy you were voted for by a quorum of eight people as the constitution requires," Museveni reportedly told his guests.
The president emphasised the need for unity among the chiefs and the people of Busoga. However, going by the actions of the Wambuzi camp, a day later, his message seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Fight for Bugembe
After the parallel coronations, the battle ground now shifts to Bugembe, the seat of the Kyabazinga cultural institution. After his election, Wambuzi, who was sitting on his late father's throne, threatened to force his way to the palace in Bugembe.
"I will soon storm office," he said. "I want to assure the people of Busoga that we shall be in Bugembe within a few days."
Wambuzi, whose first abortive election as Kyabazinga was in 2008, said he was being robbed of his throne even after winning several court cases. The parallel election of the two princes seems to have split the Busoga cultural institution. While Gabula is supported by the majority of the royal chiefs, Wambuzi is backed by the acting Kyabazinga, the acting prime minister and the chief prince.
Wakooli blamed the confusion in the kingdom on political machinations by heavyweights in the region. He said he would have handed over to Wambuzi "a long time ago" and reinstated him in office as Kyabazinga if there were no political forces blocking him.
Confusion: Wambuzi also receives tools of power as king
"'I am apologising for taking long to declare Prince Wambuzi as the substantive Kyabazinga but it is not me to blame for the delays," said Wakooli, who declared the election of Prince Gabula unconstitutional.
The pro-Wambuzi MP, Lubogo, challenged government to observe the rule of law by not recognising Prince Gabula as Busoga king.
"I appeal to President Museveni, who went to the bush to return the rule of law, to respect the law he fought for. He should not recognise Gabula because his election violates the constitution of Busoga and that of the republic of Uganda," the legislator said.
Embattled Busoga premier, Wilson Muwereza, also said he would resist the crowning of Gabula as Kyabazinga. However, Gabula supporters have also thrown their collective weight behind the prince. On Monday, several hundreds turned up for the election of Gabula, compared to the paltry crowd at Wambuzi's ceremony.
On Friday, the Mayuge district council called for an urgent council meeting in which they recognised and congratulated Gabula on his election to the kingdom throne. Gabula's Budhumbula palace has been a beehive of activity as people throng Kamuli to congratulate him. Visitors included two MPs, Florence Mutyabaule of Namutumba and Dorothy Mpiima of Buikwe.
Sources at Bugembe palace, which is now under the protection of royal guards, indicate that Gabula will officially be introduced to the people of Busoga on September 14. He is slated to be crowned on December 13 at a function expected to be attended by two presidents, Museveni of Uganda and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. That function, if it indeed goes ahead, could further raise tensions between the two royal camps.
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