Busoga Kingdom is set to celebrate the 10th coronation anniversary of its reigning King, His Royal Highness (HRH) William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV.
The significant event is scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2024, and will be hosted in Budiope, Bukungu Town Council, Buyende District. Budiope is part of Bugabula BB, one of the chiefdoms that make up Busoga Kingdom.
The 10th anniversary is being organized by the esteemed committee of vocal individuals who were the brains behind the successful Royal Wedding on November 18, 2023.
The Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, recently announced that the superb committee would be led by Owekitiibwa Richard Mafumo, Busoga’s Minister for Culture. Engineer Patrick Batumbya, who led the organization of the Royal Wedding, is serving as the co-chairman.
“I am pleased, on behalf of the Kyabazinga and on my own behalf, together with the people of Busoga, to present to the organizing committee of the 10th coronation anniversary,” Premier Muvawala wrote in a letter dated August 17, 2024, addressing it to Owekitiibwa Mafumo and Engineer Batumbya.
On the same committee, Mr. Martin Tibalira is the vice-chairman, Presidency Minister Milly Babalanda is the fund mobilizer, and Owekitiibwa Ivan Kirya is the treasurer.
Buyende District legislators, including Hon. Moses Magogo (Budiope East), Ibrahim Kyoto (Budiope West), and Mary Nakato (Woman MP), are all mobilizers of the mega event to be hosted in their district.
Others include Mr. Michael Kanaku, the district boss; Stephen Malagala; Sam Ibandha Mugabi; Hon. Veronica Kadogo; Bukungu Town Council LC3, Mr. Mathias Aribo; and Mr. Samanya Ssajjabi, among others.
Prime Minister Muvawala, however, said that, “The committee may form other sub-committees to enable effective operations.”
This coronation anniversary will be held under the theme: “Harnessing the Environment by Planting Food, Fruits, and Medicinal Trees.”
On September 13, 2024, the Kyabazinga will be marking 10 years since his enthronement on September 13, 2014, at the Kingdom headquarters, Bugembe, in present-day Jinja City.
Born on November 1, 1988, King Nadiope is the fourth Kyabazinga of Busoga, succeeding HRH Waako Mulooki, who died in 2008. He was elected by the ten Busoga Royal Chiefs, who convened at Bugembe on August 23, 2014, for the purpose of electing a new Kyabazinga.
The current Kyabazinga is the son of Wilson Gabula Nadiope II, a one-time Minister of Tourism in the Ugandan Cabinet, who died in 1991, and Josephine Nadiope, who died in 1993.
His paternal grandfather, William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope III, ruled as Kyabazinga from 1949 until 1955 and from 1962 until 1966. Nadiope III was also the first Vice President of Uganda, from 1962 until 1966.
King Nadiope’s previous coronations have always been successful, drawing thousands of subjects to commemorate this important day in the kingdom. The 9th anniversary (2023) was held in Kigulu Chiefdom at Namungalwe Playground in Iganga District.
