State minister for Lands Persis Namuganza has come out to clarify that she has no quarrel with Ms Rebecca Kadaga in her capacity as Speaker of Parliament but rather asked that Ms Kadaga respects the traditions of the people of Busoga and allow culture take its course.
Ms Namuganza was reacting to calls by a group of youth in Busoga who earlier this week held demonstrations in Bugembe, Jinja asking her to apologise over her remarks against Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV.
The Bukono Constituency Member of Parliament says trouble started when Gabula, who she does not recognise as the Kyabazinga, tried to overhaul the system of choosing the 11 chiefs that make up Busoga chiefdom. According to Ms Namuganza, Gabula’s 5-year term as Kyabazinga ended but rather than let the process take its course, he installed chiefs who would allow him extend his tenure.
Ms Namuganza, who is a princess from Bukono family, one of the 11 families that chooses who becomes Kyabazinga, says when their father Chief Nkono died, the family had to and is yet to choose an heir. However, Gabula, has attempted to install her brother Godfrey Mutyaba as the Nkono, a matter they will not accept as family.
She argued that Gabula and his supporters should allow the family to choose their own heir as tradition dictates. They argue that Gabula’s choice of Mutyaba is misinformed since Mutyaba, having grown up away from the family, hardly knows the practices of the people of Bukono.
Ms Namuganza further argues that the people of Bukono were further irked when Speaker Kadaga, together with Ms Namuganza’s political opponent came to Bukono and insulted her before her constituents.
Meanwhile Minister Namuganza faces five cases before the Busoga Parlimanentary caucus, related to her alleged “bad mouthing” of Busoga leaders.
The cases among others include; insulting the people of Kamuli by describing parts of Namutumba as filthy and unhygienic; threatening to kill the Speaker (Rebecca Kadaga); inciting Bukono voters against Ms Kadaga and belittling the Kyabazinga of Busoga.
The Minister is expected to defend herself today, Friday.
However, Ms Namuganza says all these are attempts by those fighting her to isolate her from supporters by making it seem like she insulted the Basoga, a tactic, she says, will not work since it is the same people that are behind her coming out against the actions of Ms Kadaga and Prince Gabula.
“If the people were in support of these actions, I would not have anything to say against it. In fact, I would then mobilise the minority, if that were the case, and ask them to join the majority. However, right now it is majority of people of Bukono and chief Munulo’s people who say Gabula and his group should let tradition take its course,” Ms Namuganza told PML Daily on phone.
