As the Kyabazinga birthday celebrations approach, the youth have embarked on communal activities to mobilize the masses for the upcoming festivities. Scheduled for Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15, 2024, the celebrations aim to mark the 36th year of the reign of His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Gabula IV, the King of Busoga.
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Busoga Kingdom Youth Council (BKYC) spent the day cleaning Bugembe Central Market and several streets in the Jinja city suburb, before planting trees at the Kingdom Headquarters.
Led by Mr. Yafesi Bairukireki, the BKYC chairperson, the youths cleaned Bugembe Market to promote sanitation and improve health in the area.
“We have started the Kyabazinga birthday celebrations today. In honor of the thirty-six years of ‘Baba Kyabazinga’, we have decided to promote health by cleaning this market. We are not merely cleaning it but doing so with a purpose,” Mr. Bairukireki told the media.
Vendors at Bugembe Central Market benefitted from the efforts of over 60 youths who cleaned the market, which had been littered with garbage for months.
Mr. Bairukireki stated that their efforts remain relevant to the community in promoting hygiene and planting trees to conserve the environment.
“I am happy that the market vendors have welcomed us. We are doing this not only for the birthday celebrations but we will also return, even after they are over,” he added.
Traders in this crucial market, located in the heart of Bugembe town, struggle with garbage that decomposes after sitting for weeks without being taken to the designated city landfill in Masese.
Ms. Racheal Mutesi Nakisendo, the chairperson of Bugembe Central Market, praised the youth council for extending the general cleanliness to their market, which had been plagued with garbage for months.
“We are happy that our youths are productive. This was a surprise from you, the youth council of Busoga, and thank you for prioritizing the cleaning of our market,” Ms. Nakisendo said.
The market chairperson commended the King for nurturing a group of young people (BKYC), which she said would effectively serve Busoga in the future.
Serving as the Secretary for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in BKYC, Mr. Andrew Bogere, a youth representative from Kigulu Chiefdom, said their efforts to promote health and engage in communal activities at Bugembe Market left a lasting impression on the vendors.
“The Kyabazinga birthday celebrations are important to everybody, and I am here to mobilize everyone to participate in these celebrations,” said Mr. Bogere.
As the Kyabazinga marks his 36 years, Busoga will witness the finals of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup at the Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe, where Butembe will face off against Bukono in a hotly awaited game.
Husein Salim Magumba, a BKYC member, rallied the youth to embrace the important sport, which would promote culture and love for Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga.
Julius Kalugu Omusiginyi, a media person on the organizing committee of the Kyabazinga birthday celebrations, expressed readiness as preparations are at their peak. He commended BKYC for the communal activities that created awareness about the cultural events.
“What these youths have done today is what every Musoga could do as we celebrate the birthday of our King. It is a remarkable initiative for these festivities,” Kalugu said.
According to Mr. Bairukireki, they (BKYC) will have a campfire dubbed “Amagezi Muliro” on Friday, December 13, where the youths will gather to discuss key cultural issues. He said, “We believe that if the youths are brought together, culture can be promoted.”
