The Whisper

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Busoga chiefs to elect new Kyabazinga in April

The 11 hereditary chiefs of Busoga, whose responsibility it is to elect a Kyabazinga, have agreed to end the power vacuum in the institution of Obwa Isebantu Kyabazinga by electing a substantive Kyabazinga this year.

Busoga has not had a substantive Kyabazinga since the death of Henry Wako Muloki in September 2008. Two previous attempts to fill the void resulted into legal battles and the sanctioning of a constitutional review process to clear the mess created by the previous polls and pave way for the election of a substantive Kyabazinga.

Ending past chaos
One was held on October 31, 2008, which saw Edward Columbus Wambuzi declared the duly elected Kyabazinga, and another held on October 5, 2009, which saw Prince William Gabula IV also declared as the duly elected Kyabazinga. The chiefs have now moved to end the polarisation in the kingdom by releasing a road map aimed at ending the impasse.

During a meeting held in Jinja on Thursday and chaired by the Chief Prince, Daudi Kaunhe Wakooli, who also doubles as acting Kyabazinga, the chiefs gave themselves 21 days within which to organise elections for county representatives to the Lukiiko.

Forming the Lukiiko
They want the Lukiiko constituted and sworn in by February 09 this year. The chiefs also declared that they will convene to elect a substantive Kyabazinga within two months of swearing in of the Busoga Lukiiko.

The chiefs also agreed to use the kingdom?s old constitution to guide them during the elections given that the new one is yet to be debated and ratified. ?Just like governments use old constitutions as a means of getting new ones, we are going to do the same,? chief Patrick Izimba Gololo told journalists.

The legal adviser to the Royal Council, chief Juma Luba Munulo, who is also the chief of Bunya County, downplayed fears of possible breach of the law saying the old document is still instrumental in the election exercise.