Kyaggwe County: Clash Over Nvubu Clan Leadership

 In Kyaggwe County, Buganda Kingdom, a longstanding feud over leadership within the Nvubu Clan has resurfaced, causing tensions in the traditional governance and among its subjects. Elijah Bogere Lubanga Mulembya, the well-regarded head of Kyaggwe County (Ssekiboobo), now finds himself ensnared in a web of tension and confusion.

This follows the contentious appointment of Inspector of Police Yunusu Mukasa Kasimaggwa, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) at Seeta police station, as the new Nvubu Clan leader, traditionally known as 'Kayita.' In late 2019, a faction of clan members declared Kasimaggwa as the Kayita, originally scheduling his installation for 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the event was postponed.

On August 26, Kasimaggwa was officially introduced to the clan members in a colorful ceremony at the Nvubu clan headquarters (Ekiggwa) on Mbazi Hill in Mpunge Sub-county, Mukono District. During this event, Kasimaggwa also appointed his brother, Godfrey Luyombya Lule, as the clan prime minister (Katikiro), eliciting cheers and celebrations from county leaders and clan members in attendance.

Beneath the celebrations, however, a controversial dispute has left Kyaggwe County's leaders anxious. Despite receiving a stern warning from Buganda's premier (Katikiro) not to attend the function, several leaders defied the order and actively participated in the event. The defiant leaders have now been summoned to a disciplinary committee at Mengo.  They include Kyaggwe county head Ssekiboobo, Patrick Eric Ssekabembe (County Secretary for Culture), and Richard Ssekajja (Ssabaddu-Nanfumbambi-Ntenjeru).

In a previous warning letter, Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga declared the ceremony null and void, arguing that the Mbogo clan still had a seated head named Emmanuel Musoke Makabugo. He emphasized that the matter of succession had been brought before two kings - Daudi Chwa II and Ronald Mutebi II - and on both occasions, it had been concluded that Makabugo was the legitimate clan head.

The roots of this dispute date back to 1922 when it was first presented before Ssekabaka (Late King) Daudi Chwa II, who ruled in favor of the Makabugo family lineage, designating Lukka Makabugo as the Kayita. This decision disregarded the claim made by Nsabwa Kawala, Kasimaggwa's grandfather, who contested the succession of Lukka Makabugo.

Before his passing, Sulaiman Kikoyo designated his nephew, Nasanayiri Musoke, as the heir, and shifted the Kayitaship to a new family. Following Musoke's death, his son Makabugo succeeded him, officially becoming the new Kayita in 1992. However, the lineage of Nsabwa Kawala maintains that their family lineage (Essigga) of Bukuku used to produce the Kayitas, while the Makabugo lineage claims its roots from Namugunde. 

The dispute resurfaced in November 1997 before King (Kabaka) Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who ordered a fresh hearing through the Buganda tribunal court (Kkooti Ya Kisekwa). The court's ruling, dated August 23, 2017, once again favored Makabugo. Mayiga reiterated that Emmanuel Musoke Makabugo is the Kayita and declared that Kasimaggwa would not be allowed to participate in any kingdom arrangements, including meetings for heads of clans (Olukiiko lwabataka). 

Despite these clear warnings, leaders in Kyaggwe attended the installation ceremony, even after receiving a second warning letter from Kayita Makabugo on August 22nd. This stance was reaffirmed during the Buganda Lukiiko chaired by the Kabaka at Bulange Mengo.  

“We simply seek rightful leadership within our clans, as acknowledged by the elders, regardless of any obstacles that may arise. At Mengo, the King welcomes everyone, and the introduction of the new leader to the kingdom is still pending," Ssekiboobo emphasized. Some Buganda loyalists in Kyaggwe disapprove of the Ssaza leaders for involving themselves in contentious issues.

The event in Mbazi coincided with the Kabaka's presence at the clan football tournament final in Wankulukuku, where all county, clan heads were invited to participate. Frederick Bwango, a resident of Mukono, believes that these disagreements at such a time are aimed at obstructing the kingdom's efforts to foster the development of its people. 

Recently, the kingdom was taken aback by the revelation that certain clan heads held a secret meeting with the president, without the kingdom's knowledge. Normally, clan heads seek redress for their challenges from the Kabaka, traditionally referred to as Ssabataka. 

According to the Buganda kingdom setting, all clan leaders share common responsibilities, which encompass overseeing clan members on behalf of the King of Buganda (Kabaka), preserving lineage continuity, mediating family disputes, and resolving issues related to family succession, among other duties.