Buruuli chief celebrates 20 coronation anniversary

BURUULI - Baruuli paramount chief Isabaruuli Mwatyansozi Mwogezi Butamanya has today, December 10, 2024, celebrated his 20th coronation anniversary.

Butamanya's coronation 2o years ago marked a turning point in the history of Buruuli chiefdom which has since promoted the Baruuli culture, preserved their traditions and fostered its development.

The Baruuli/Banyala people, originally part of the great Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, found themselves at the crossroads of history due to the 1890-1899 war between Bunyoro-Kitara led by King Chwa II (Omukama) Kabalega of Bunyoro and the Anglo-Ganda Alliance.

According to chiefdom premier Samuel Kasirye, this conflict culminated in the annexation of the Baruuli/Banyala to the Buganda Kingdom as a reward from the British for their assistance after the defeat of Abarusura Royal Army of Omukama Kabalega declaring the territory as ‘lost’ counties.

“Formalising this annexation, the 1900 Buganda Agreement introduced Buruuli as part of the counties of Buganda, introducing the mailo land system, which stripped the Baruuli/Banyala people of their ancestral lands,” Kasirye said.

In 1979, the situation further deteriorated as Baruuli individuals who had sought refugee in Lango were forcibly evicted and forced to return to their homeland which was still under Buganda, he added.

“Despite these challenges, the struggle for self-liberation by the Baruuli people remained dormant for many decades. In the backdrop of 1986, during the fire year guerrilla war that would eventually pave the way for President Yoweri Museveni to seize power, it ushered a new era in Buruuli history for us to rise,” he said.

With President Yoweri Museveni in power, the Baruuli/Banyala Cultural Trust was established in 1994 paving the way for Butamanya's ascension, according to Kasirye.

Sh5b palace project

The 20-year struggle came with the construction of a Kingdom Palace project which is underway with only shillings 640 million so far spent.

Bishop Herbert Buyondo, the minister in charge of kingdom development project and religious affairs, said they received shillings 300 million from the Government in the second quarter of financial year 2023/2024 but are still looking for more to continue building the Kingdom.

With President Yoweri Museveni in power, the Baruuli/Banyala Cultural Trust was established in 1994 paving the way for Butamanya's ascension, according to Kasirye.

“We are expecting the Government to release funds according to the instructions by the president issued to the finance ministry last year and appropriated by the Parliament,” he said.

We are constructing a three-storeyed building which shall house five VIP suits including the Office of the King, private offices for his assistants, a library, kitchen, a dining hall that can accommodate 100 guests, three meeting rooms and a parking yard, Buyondo added.

We appeal for support from the local community and well-wishers from other Kingdoms of the World and the government to support the growth of our Kingdom, he appealed.

Address land conflicts

Buruuli lands minister Samuel Matwarwa asked the Government to address land conflicts in the area as much of the land occupied by the Baruuli is under contention with Buganda Kingdom.

“The issue of mailo land continues to cast a shadow over the Baruuli people. Much of the land traditionally occupied by Baruuli community is entangled in a complex web of ownership with claims made by both the government and Buganda Kingdom,” he said.

Unfortunately, neither entity has shown a willingness to sell or return the land to its rightful owners, the Baruuli people, Matwarwa said.

“The deafening silence from the government in response to the legitimate grievances faced by the Baruuli people only adds to their frustration and disillusionment,” he observed.

Foreign dignitaries grace the function

Graced by the King of Gomaa Odumase Kingdom in Ghana, HRH Nana Akomanyi Essandah as the head of delegation, it attracted a delegation from the Monarchy of the Philippines led by Princes Maria Amor Torres.

Others included King Martin Ayongi Kamya of the Kingdom 0f Bwamba (Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba), Lugbara Chief, Mike Agondua and the Paramount Chief of Teso, Emorimor Paul Sande Emorot Etomeileng.