The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru, the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has warned the initiators of the Bugungu cultural institution to stop destabilizing his kingdom. It comes as the members of the Bugungu community in Bullisa district are in final preparations to install their cultural leader alias Mutebengwa before the end of this year.
In 2018, a group of Bagungu revealed their plan to break away from Bunyoro to form the Bugungu cultural institution (Obutebengwa) to allegedly preserve the Bagungu culture that they say is facing extinction. The Bagungu have stepped up preparations to install their cultural leader since this year began, which has triggered a misunderstanding with Bunyoro kingdom officials.
The secession would mean a loss to Bunyoro in terms of its territorial size and a host of natural resources like oil in Buliisa district. Many people in Bunyoro Kitara kingdom fear that the Bugungu sucession will affect Bunyoro’s push for royalties from the oil activities since the majority of the oil wells will fall in the new kingdom.
Norman Lukumu, the former Prime minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, who chairs the organizing committee for the Bugungu Cultural Institution, says plans are underway to install their cultural leader before this year ends. He says they have started forming various clan councils that will convene to deliberate on who is to be installed as the Bugungu cultural leader (Mutebengwa).
Lukumu says no one will frustrate their efforts to install their cultural leader since it is their constitutional right. He has called upon the Bagungu to remain calm and get ready for the installation of their cultural leader (Mutebengwa).
However, the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has through his Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutaga warned those behind the breakaway to immediately stop destabilizing the kingdom. According to Byakutaga, the planned breakaway of the Bagungu from Bunyoro is being spearheaded by external forces who want to compromise the unity of the kingdom.
He says it is time for all people in Bunyoro to work together for the development of the kingdom and advocate for issues such as sharing oil revenue with the central government and promoting education, and health among other goals.
Byakutga says there is no need for separation from Bunyoro Kingdom since the monarchy is hospitable, unifying, and recognizes the values of each tribe.
Bagungu are an ethnic group found in Buliisa district and some parts of Hoima and Masindi districts. They live on the northeastern shores of Lake Albert along the Rift Valley.
Their major economic activities are fishing and farming. The community, which speaks Lugungu language has been pushing for their own kingdom claiming that they have a different cultural heritage from Bunyoro.
*****
URN
