Richard Gafabusa, the Bwamba County MP says kingdoms are operationalized under the act of parliament and it’s the responsibility of the government to ensure they are aided to serve their purpose. He wants the government to extend support to Obundhingiya as it has done for Tooro and Buganda cultural institutions.
Elisha Mugisha Ateenyi, the cultural leader of Banyabindi minority tribe in Kasese District argues that unless a separate ministry or a commission is set up to address the challenges and historical injustices suffered by ethnic minority groups, the communities will continue to lose their unique identity resulting in their extinction.
Faith Kabafumu, the OC in charge of the Child Protection Unit, says that children are the most affected in these cases. She says that the COVID-19 lockdown has exposed children to a risky lifestyle and to offenders who usually take advantage of their age and domestic challenges.
During his installation, President Museveni pledged to provide an official car, security detail and construct a palace for the Omundhingiya. But the kingdom prime minister, Wilson Mubulya, says that seven years down the road none of the promises has materialized.
Over ten large tents provided for the celebrations filled to capacity. Many celebrants had to brave the scorching sun during the colourful event that went on until 7 PM. The day was marked with cultural and traditional performances and speeches.
In his short address, Omudingiya Kamya asked the local leaders both at the district and in parliament to collaborate with the kingdom to foster development in the district.
Last month, a rift emerged after members of the Babandi Clan, one of the 25 clans in Bwamba threatened to establish a rival cultural institution. They accused Lt. Col. Martin Kamya, the Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba OBB cultural leader of marginalising the clan members and the family of the late Peter Mupalya. Mupalya, who died in 2014 is among the Rwenzururu Movement Freedom fighters who alongside the late Yeremiya Kawamara and Isaya Mukirania walked out of the Tooro Kingdom Parliament in March 1962 protesting marginalisation by the Batooro. Mupalya is from the Babandi clan.
The cultural institution is comprised of three major ethnic communities namely Bamba, Vanoma and Babwiisi. But prior to the installation, there were fears of tribal clashes likely to breakout between the Bakonzo communities with allegiance to ‘Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu’ and the Bamba living in Bundibugyo district.
The Batwa community in Bundibugyo district, who were removed from Tooro Semuliki Game Reserve last year, have abandoned the settlement centre and returned to the game reserve.
The installation of Major Martin Kamya as cultural leader or Omudinganya of the Bamba community has been postponed for the second time. Major Kamya, a serving army officer, was slated to be installed as the leader of Obhudingiya Bwa Bwamba-OBB cultural institution in Bundibugyo district on Friday May 17th, but the ceremony has been cancelled.
President Yoweri Museveni has allowed Major Martin Kamya to resign from the army and be crowned cultural leader of the Bamba community in Bundibugyo district.
The clashes started on Friday afternoon when the Bamba tried to burn down a shrine that was constructed for the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere. The shrine is located in Kibindi village in Busaru Sub County. The Bamba are the majority in the district.
