Busoga kingdom halts enthronement of new Budhagali oracle

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  The proposed installation of the new Oracle of Bujjagali falls Hassan Kirunda has been halted, on a directive by Busoga Kingdom officials led by Cultural Affairs Minister Richard Mafumo.

Kirunda was on Sunday morning confirmed as the new oracle of Bujjagali falls, replacing the deceased Budhagali Nabamba who served the said spirits for the past 60 years. He had allegedly spent 10 days on Budhagali island, prior to his confirmation as the choice of the spirits. 

Prior to his confirmation, traditionalists had spent close to 10 days on the shores of River Nile in Budhagali village, Budondo sub-county, Jinja district, seeking for a manifestation of a new oracle to take over from the fallen spiritualist. The revelation, however, angered locals who clashed with traditionalists, attracting police intervention to calm the situation. 

The said oracle was awaiting enthronement on Thursday morning. However, Mafumo says that Budhagali is considered to be the leader of all spirits in the region, and whoever earns the said title must under go various background checks by several traditionalists in the land before confirmation and enthronement.  

He has further ordered traditionalists off the shores, claiming that they have turned the surrounding community into an idle corner where energetic youth forego daily chores to watch the spiritual rituals being performed in their village. 

Mafumo adds that at an appropriate time, a suitable oracle who will have passed all the required tests shall be unveiled to the public. 

But Nasur Ibanda who was heading the enthronement committee expressed dismay at the decision, saying that the Kingdom is meant to support their efforts instead of demoralizing them. 

“As traditionalists, we see and walk in the ways of the gods but I am surprised that our Kingdom which should have supported us is instead against us. The spirits confirmed that Kirunda is the new Budhagali, and we are not willing to search for another one,” he says.       

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