Publication date: Tuesday, 26th May, 2009
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Royal guards stop Kaunhe (right) and his delegation from entering the premises |
By Esther Mukyala
and Donald Kiirya
THE Issabalangira (chief prince) of Busoga Kingdom who is also the acting Kyabazinga (king), Daudi Kaunhe Wakholi, has reshuffled.
The changes, which take immediate effect saw the Katukiro (prime minister), Wilson Muwereza, dropped and Gideon Lubale appointed in his place.
Others appointed include Ishaka Magemeso as minister for security; David Katenderi as minister for education, youth and sports; Vincent Bagiire as minister for ICT, planning and economic development and Florence Babi as minister for gender and women affairs.
Those retained include deputy prime minister William Kasango, agriculture minister Patrick Kiirya and lands minister Balodha Kyeyago.
Kaunhe made the impromptu pronouncement at Busoga square on Friday. Kaunhe also appointed Muwema, Mugerwa and Co. Advocates as the kingdom’s lawyers as plans get underway to elect a new Kyabazinga.
The election of Colombus Wambuzi, the son of the late Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki, in October last year, was contested by the majority of the Basoga. President Yoweri Museveni intervened by calling for a re-election.
Kaunhe had earlier planned to have the meeting at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe but armed UPDF officers stopped him and other chiefs from accessing the premises.
The chiefs included Gabula Nadiope IV of Bugabula, Fred Kakaire of Bugweri, Luba Munulo of Bunya and John Nanhumba Ntalo of Bunyole.
“This place is out of bounds. We are still mourning chief Waguma and no business is supposed to take place here. Issabalangira, we are commanding you and your men to go back,” one of the officers shouted.
Hajji Badru Waguma Ntembe, the chief of the Ntembe clan, one of the 11 hereditary rulers, died and was buried on May 25.
Kaunhe accused Muwereza of not respecting court orders, failing to draw up a plan for executing his duties and not respecting the 11 hereditary chief.
He also said Muwereza failed to guide the Chiefs Royal Council in the re-election of a Kyabazinga as agreed by the chiefs.
Kaunhe also accused Muwereza of not being neutral and promoting divisionism in the Kingdom.
However, Muwereza insisted he is still the substantive prime minister.
Addressing a press conference at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Jinja district on Saturday, Muwereza said Kaunhe’s action was illegal.
He was guarded by two UPDF soldiers attached to the kingdom, “I want to inform the entire Busoga that this was an illegal action and it is not standing. Kaunhe does not know how things are done,” Muwereza said.
He said when appointing a katukiro, the person is nominated by the 11 hereditary chiefs and the name is forwarded to the Kyabazinga who confirms the appointment.
Muwereza added that it was only the Kyabazinga supposed to fire a Katukiro and not the Issabalangira.
He said Busoga has the Kyabazinga elect, Edward Columbus Wambuzi who was subjected to the Busoga Lukiiko for approval in line with the constitution of Busoga.
“As we talk now, Wambuzi is working as Kyabazinga, the court injunction that is said to have been imposed recently is ineffective,” Muwereza said.
He vowed never to allow Kaunhe’s cabinet to step in the kingdom headquarters or attend any of their meetings.
This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/682570
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