Bunyoro’s 30-Year Reign Celebrated Amid Heated Debate Over Bunyoro University

Summary:

• Today marked a significant milestone for the people of Bunyoro as they celebrated the 30th coronation anniversary of their king (Omukama), Gafabusa Iguru, who ascended the throne in 1994. The Prime Minister of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaaga, announced that King Dr. Solomon Iguru Gafabusa could not attend the celebrations due to poor health.

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HOIMA CITY, (Examiner) – Today marked a significant milestone for the people of Bunyoro as they celebrated the 30th coronation anniversary of their king (Omukama), Gafabusa Iguru I, who ascended the throne on June 11, 1994. The Prime Minister of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaaga, announced that King Dr. Solomon Iguru Gafabusa I who has not appeared in public since 2019, attended a thanksgiving service yesterday at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Hoima City and was unable to attend today’s celebrations due to poor health. He assured the public that the kingdom, in collaboration with the government, is covering his medical expenses and urged people not to contribute money for his treatment unless explicitly informed by the kingdom. He said, “The kingdom, working together with the Government, is able to meet his medical expenses” The King was instead represented by the Omugo, Margaret Ateenyi and members of the Royal family.

Omuhikirwa Andrew Byakutaga said the kingdom has registered reasonable success, including unity and development. Byakutaga, however, noted that thousands of the Omukama’s subjects are still living in abject poverty, which calls for a campaign to promote productive work like coffee growing.

The event was graced by the presence of Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who also serves as the Woman MP for Kakumiro District, Byamukama Fred, the Minister for Works and Transport also MP for Bugangaizi West, Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, Muruuli Mukasa, Janifer Namuyangu, Balaam Barugahara, and other Members of Parliament from the region.

Reflecting on Bunyoro University establishment, Busiinge Harriet, Woman MP for Hoima District, criticized political delays in establishing the institution, arguing, “Politics have delayed the establishment of the institution,” and emphasizing that “Hoima is the center of Bunyoro, so Bunyoro University has to be in Hoima. and its in the budget” In response, FDC’s Nyakato Asinansi also Woman MP Hoima City disputed Busiinge’s claims, stating, “I checked the supplementary budget very well and there was no vote for Bunyoro University,”

Asinansi later requested transparency from the kingdom regarding the king’s medical expenses, emphasizing the need for better healthcare so the king can join future celebrations. She said, “The kingdom should come forward and tell us how much is required to see the king sitting with us in the next occasion as he is unwell If the problem is money, we can see what to do so that our king receives better medication.”

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Asinansi asserted, “The government cannot invest in something that lacks legal standing. Those telling you about the university are deceiving you; they’re merely safeguarding their positions.” She criticized the university task force, stating, “Despite receiving substantial funding for four years, they’ve failed to produce necessary paperwork for the minister to present to parliament.” She condemned the task force as “ineffective and unresponsive,” highlighting a lack of financial transparency and accountability.

Isingoma Obama, MP for Hoima City, urged fellow ministers, including Byamukama Fred and Robinah Nabbanja, to support the impeachment of four legislators: Mathias Mpuuga (MP for Nyendo – Mukungwe), Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira (MP for Rubanda District), Esther Afoyochan (Woman MP for Zombo), and Solomon Silwanyi (MP for Bukooli Central), who are facing controversial service awards issues. Obama highlighted the need for more signatures to proceed with the impeachment, stating, “We are remaining with 31 signatures as of June 11, 2024. We have 27 members of parliament in Bunyoro, but we have only six signatures, Kikuube and Masindi, we haven’t seen any.”

Pius Wakabi called on the Prime Minister to address the displacement of over 200,000 people from the lake area, stressing their dire need for assistance, saying, “They have nothing to eat.”

Byamukama Fred encouraged the Banyoro to utilize their land efficiently, especially with the introduction of Kabalega International Airport. Balaam Barugahara called for unity and hard work among the people, urging, “We should be one and work hard,” and warned the youth against early marriages and alcoholism, advocating for participation in government programs like the Youth Livelihood Funds.

The Okwiri of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Mr. Mugenyi Fred, reminded the subjects to always recognize the presence of the king’s mother at events, stressing her importance. He said, “We couldn’t have a king if there wasn’t a mother. Please always recognize her.”

In his message, the king urged the people of Bunyoro to protect the wealth of their kingdom ‘jealousy”

The Prime Minister thanked President Museveni for giving what she termed “strategic positions” to the people of Bunyoro. She mentioned several key roles, including the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Works and Transport. Excitedly, she boasted, “Banyoro, we are blessed,” noting that Bunyoro produced Uganda’s first female Prime Minister, a milestone she declared “will always stay in history.”

She urged all people and potential voters to offer their support to maintain these positions and take pride in them. “Banyoro, wherever you are, come and develop your kingdom,” she encouraged. “People will come looking for 5-star hotels,” she added. “The airport is coming; what are you going to export?” Nabbanja said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Nabbanja concluded by calling on all Banyoro to return home and invest in their kingdom. “Banyoro wherever you are, come and develop your kingdom,” she added.

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