The Busoga cultural institution has been locked in a string of leadership squabbles since the Kyabazinga Wako Muloki died.

The wrangle peaked when the deceased's heir, Columbus Wambuzi, was "elected" the new Kyabazinga in a disputed election. Eventually, even the courts got involved as rivals fought for the throne.

On Monday, Jinja was on fire as one of the rival groups elected another Kyabazinga, Wilberforce Nadiope. The clans have failed to agree on who should take the mantle of Busoga Kingdom.

It would appear that the bickering clans are not interested in the position of Kyabazinga per se, but the perks that come with it. President Museveni rightly claims credit for restoring cultural institutions that had been abolished by Apollo Milton Obote, but at the same time the President is to blame for the wrangles afflicting some of these institutions.

His government looks to cultural institutions as tools of political mobilisation. Thus cultural leaders are rewarded with fuelled vehicles, VIP protection and a monthly salary of about Shs 5million, among other benefits.

These perks are the real reason why being a cultural leader has become a matter of life and death. This also partly explains why previously unheard-of sub-ethnic groups now claim to have their own cultural leaders. But why should taxpayers maintain cultural institutions?

Since the Constitution says they should be restored for those who desire them, these same people should foot their kings' and chiefs' bills and leave the public purse alone. In effect, cultural institutions should be self-reliant.

We can fight cholera

The rains have begun and alongside them the familiar cholera outbreaks in different parts of the country. The cause of cholera is not mythical. People have failed to maintain even the minimum hygiene standards. For instance, in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, the water table has risen and this has made the latrines to overflow, resulting in excreta mixing with water that is sometimes used for drinking.

In eastern Uganda, the cholera outbreak is blamed on the repugnant cultural beliefs. In some of these places, culture apparently forbids pregnant women from using latrines for fear of losing their pregnancy.

So these women and children end up easing themselves in the bushes, and the waste ends up washing into wells and other water collection points. The local authorities must help end this cholera outbreak.