The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, on Saturday marked his 12th coronation anniversary with celebrations at the Mayuge District headquarters in eastern Uganda.
The event brought together cultural leaders, government officials, Members of Parliament and hundreds of residents from across Busoga, with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja representing President Yoweri Museveni.
President Museveni, in a speech delivered by Nabbanja, commended the Kyabazinga for what he described as his contribution to peace, unity and development in Busoga since his accession to the throne in September 2014.
“I am happy to note that since your ascension to the Kyabazinga-ship on September 13, 2014, you have continued to champion peace, unity and development in the Busoga region,” Museveni said.
The President also described Busoga as a partner in national development and said traditional institutions have a role in promoting social cohesion, moral renewal and economic development.
Museveni reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting cultural institutions and said his government would continue promoting agriculture, infrastructure and commercial transformation in Busoga.
Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga was among the cultural leaders attending the celebrations.
The anniversary, commonly known as Amatikira ga Isebantu Kyabazinga, had initially been scheduled for September 13 but was postponed following the death of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on August 27.
Busoga Kingdom said the postponement was intended to allow Ugandans to attend the late Tooro monarch’s burial. The celebrations were subsequently moved to September 19 at the Mayuge District headquarters in Bunha Chiefdom.
Ahead of the main event, residents, students and local leaders participated in a town-wide cleaning exercise to prepare Mayuge for visitors. The Kyabazinga’s Health Office also organised a medical outreach offering treatment and screening for non-communicable diseases.
Organisers said the activities were intended to make the anniversary a community event rather than a gathering limited to political and cultural leaders.
At the celebrations, the Kyabazinga thanked the people of Busoga for turning up in large numbers, describing their participation as a demonstration of the region’s unity and cultural pride.
The anniversary comes 12 years after Gabula was installed as Kyabazinga on September 13, 2014, following a succession process that restored the Busoga monarchy after years of internal disagreements over the institution’s leadership.
The Mayuge celebrations were held under the theme of promoting unity and development, with organisers saying the occasion was also intended to highlight the contribution of the cultural institution to the region’s social and economic development.
The event was attended by more than 20 Members of Parliament, according to New Vision, alongside government officials and leaders from Busoga and other cultural institutions.
