Richard Wanambwa
2 November 2008
Kampala — The new Kyabazinga of Busoga Edward Columbus Wambuzi might have been elected and approved as expected but the event that took place at the kingdom's Bugembe Lukiiko premises on Friday was not without spectacle.
Mr Wambuzi replaces his father, Henry Wako Muloki, who passed away on September 1 after losing the battle against cancer of the throat.
First there was the scuffle that followed an exchange between security personnel and the regent of Prince William Gabula of Bugabula that ensued after they were ordered to change their vehicle parking position moments after they arrived at around 8.30 a.m. and occupied their seats in the election venue.
Security agents claimed that no vehicles were supposed to park right next to the election hall where the Gabula camp had parked, an order that upset sensibilities. A few minutes later, after the chiefs Royal Council had taken their seats, the chief of Bunha, Juma Munulo, shot up in an attempt to block the commencement of proceedings. He tried to present a memorandum opposing the election.
His attempt was, however, met with resistance from the other chiefs Sunday Monitor has learnt from sources who attended the closed door session.
Things turned chaotic as tables were banged and voices were raised in the ensuing exchanges. Munulo, Gabula and his regent Ceaser Lukalu walked out of the meeting after the memorandum had been rejected by the Isabalangira Daudi Kaunhe Wakhooli, who was presiding over the elections.
Outside, more drama awaited Mr Munulo as he was pushed and shoved by security personnel and kanyamas (muscle men enforcers) as he tried to explain the goings-on to journalists and distribute the document. He was grabbed and dragged down the road by the kanyamas.
Mr Munulo who claims to have been poisoned as he was dragged down the whole stretch of the kingdom headquarters road to an adjoining road said he believed one of the kanyamas had rubbed something poisonous onto his back. "As they pushed me down the road someone must have dropped something itchy into my clothes," he said as he undressed to show his reddened back to journalists.
The document signed on October 30 bore signatures of five hereditary chiefs who were opposed to the election. The five who also boycotted the elections include Fred Menha of Bugweri, Patrick Izimba Gologolo of Kigulu, Juma Munulo of Bunha, William Gabula of Bugabula and James Mutyaba of Bukono and have since declared that they plan a break away from the main Busoga Kingdom to form their own kingdom with a separate cultural entity.
The five chiefs quoted their grounds for opposing the election as being the expulsion of Mr Gologolo from participating in the election, the lack of a legitimate constitution and the fact that the Constitutional Court had on Thursday issued a court injunction barring the kingdom from holding the election.
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