BAGUNGU WAIT FOR GOV’T TO GAZETTE THEIR CULTURAL INSTITUTION

the elected Bagungu leader

By Innocent Atuganyira
In Buliisa…

The Bagungu are waiting for the government to gazette their cultural institution known as Buttebbengwa Bwa Bugungu.

Through the Bugungu Cultural Revival Association (BUCRA), the Bagungu clan council on March 29, 2023, elected the former Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister Norman Lukumu as their cultural leader.

At the same function, they also elected Mr. Basaswaki Thomas as the speaker, deputized by Mr. Mukungi Bonny.

In an exclusive interview with www.mknewslink.com , Mr. Lukumu said that their resolutions have been submitted to the respective government offices, and they are waiting for the government to gazette their cultural institution.

Lukumu disclosed that they have commenced activities for the Buttebbengwa Bwa Bugungu as they wait for the government to gazette it, noting that the gazettement may take about a year.

He also clarified that they are on good terms with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom but are culturally different, assuring the public that they are living in harmony with other dialects both in Bugungu and Bunyoro.

The Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutaga, however, insists that the election of Mr. Norman Lukumu was not within the law, therefore the government doesn’t recognize it.

Byakutaga says that there is still room for negotiation, noting that there is no need for Bagungu to form their own independent cultural institution since they have been living in harmony with Banyoro.

Since 2011, the Bagungu have been pushing for the formation of their independent cultural institution.

In 2011, Edward Kabagambe spearheaded the secession but was failed due to political pressure.

In 2014, Charles Babyesiza enthroned himself and even started constructing a palace at his ancestral home in Bugana village, a move that was opposed by most people.

Starting in 2018, Mr. Norman Lukumu, who had just been sacked as the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime minister, joined the team that was spearheading the formation of the Bagungu cultural institution, giving it more strength.