18 years ago, in September 2008 the Late HRH Henry Wako Muloki King of Busoga Kingdom passed on without a Will which left the office of the Kyabazinga vacant. This triggered a scramble for succession among the hereditary chiefs.
Edward Columbus Wambuzi was declared the new Kyabazinga in a meeting presided over by the Isabalangira. However, this “victory” was shaky from the start. The minutes of the meeting showed that only 7 chiefs were present for the vote but the Constitution s
required a quorum of 8.
The Kingdom fell into a period of deep uncertainty till 2014. Another election attempt on October 5, 2009 also failed because again, only 7 chiefs showed up. A legal challenge was filed in 2009 but it was eventually dismissed for want of prosecution.
The Central Government stepped in to mediate between the warring factions. They held a meeting with the Minister for Local Government to facilitate a “conclusive election” by the Chiefs Royal Council.
A fresh election was held on August 23rd 2014 where 10 out of the 11 chiefs were present. Wambuzi was the only chief absent. This time, meeting the quorum was not an issue and William Nadiope was elected as the Kyabazinga. He was sworn in that September and eventually gazetted.
Edward Wambuzi sued Nadiope in 2014 and the other chiefs claiming he was still the valid King from the 2008 vote. The case Civil Suit No. 177 of 2014 lasted nearly eight years.
Hon. Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko finally settled the matter where ruled that because Wambuzi’s 2008 election lacked the mandatory quorum of 8 chiefs, it was null and void.
She noted that for such a major decision, the required chiefs must be present all through the transaction of the business. She upheld Nadiope’s 2014 election as valid and dismissed Wambuzi’s suit with costs.
