Busoga Kingdom

Busoga Culture – Kingdom of Busoga

Busoga kingdom is one of the famously known as the traditional Bantu Kingdom and it belongs to one of the five constitutional monarchies in the current Uganda. The Busoga Kingdom is recognized as a culture institution that is very significant in the promotion unity, moral behaviors and the popular participation in the development programs as well as improving on the general standard of living with in the Busoga region.

The Busoga kingdoms fights vigorously for oneness in people with the geared goals of social, cultural and economic prosperity plus the establishment of the “Kyabazinga” which is the local tittle given to the King of Busoga. The word Busoga means the “Land of People (Soga)”. The Busoga kingdom comprises of about 11 principalities of the people of Basoga (people), if is one person is called “Musoga”

The Busoga kingdom has its capital in Bugembe town Adjacent to Jinja which is the second largest city in Uganda after Kampala and Jinja city is famous known as the Adventure capital of East Africa. The Busoga Kingdom consists of about 8 districts such as the Luuka, Busiki, Kamuli, Mayuge, Kaliro, and Bugiri district. Each district is led by a chairperson/ local Council Five who is elected by the people while the Municipalities are led by a mayor who is also elected.

Jinja city is the famous known as the economic and industrial hub of the Busoga areas. The Busoga region is surrounded by Lake Kyoga and here it is separated from the Lango area in the north, it is neighbored by the Buganda kingdom in the west separated by the Victoria, it is bordered by Tanzania and Kenya in the south and it is separated by Lake Victoria. It is as well bordered by the small groups of the Bagishu and Bugwere and they are separated from the Busoga kingdom by River Mpologoma.

The Kyabazinga( King)

The Busoga kingdom is headed by the Isebantu Kyabazinga and apparently he is known as William Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV. Isebantu means the father of all people and this names stands as a symbol of unity, it was given out of expression as well as recognition from the Basoga people with an essence that the Isebantu brings all people together in love and oneness. The Isebantu Kyabazinga acts as the cultural leader of the Busoga kingdom and according to traditions, the Kyabazinga is supposed be elected although it rotates between chiefs during the timely election of the Lukiiko.

The kazinga was traditionally elected from the five hereditary chief who are believed to trace their origin from the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom. However apparently there has been a change in the Busoga constitution and it this has been traditionally modified so as to all the 11 hereditary chiefs to have a chance to stand in the Election of the Kyabazinga kingship position and the leadership term has limit, it an elected position for life although initially the appointment was for five years.

Ever since 1939 up today, the Busoga kingdom has experienced the Kyabazinga Regimes of under 5 tradition elected leaders, such as between 1939-1949 the First Kyabazinga was Ezekiel Tenywa Wako, in 1949-1955 the second Kyabazinga was William Wilberforce Nadiope II, the third regime 1955-1967 he was Henry Wako Muloki and between 1967-1995 it was Interregnum and this the time the recurrent government restored monarchies in Uganda, 1995-2008 he was Henry Wako Muloki and finally from 2014 until present today, he is Henry Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV.

The Economic activity in Busoga kingdom has been agriculture and it has been significant in the establishment of the Busoga capital. Between the 1920 and 1970 the cash crops like cotton was grown and production was so massive in the Busoga region which is one of the factors that allowed the Busoga capital to become the Agri-indutrial Centre along with other factories. The Busoga kingdom became an economic importance when the railway line was helped the Busoga capital to raise its economic flag at the same time enhanced the establishment of other infrastructures and a lot of casual jobs were generated to the Busoga people who came from various areas to work in factories as well as domestic work.

There was improvement of services such as Electricity, piped water, Hospitals, Roads and schools among others. The farmers in the Busoga regions who were going both the cash crops and food crops were assured of the market for their produce. Crops which were grown include coffee, cotton, potatoes, Cassava, Bananas, vegetables and the fruits among others.

People’s standards of living improved, there was rapid increase in the revenue of the Busoga kingdom, there was both economic production which was on a high demand but still people could as well grow crops for  subsistence consumption. By the time Uganda achieved its independence in 1962, Busoga kingdom was well established and the Jinja city which was the capital of Busoga was home to about 70% of industries in Uganda including the Nalubale Power Station which is known for supplying Electricity to both Uganda and Kenya and Uganda was a habitat for most of the Asian population who were significant in establishing the East African largest commercial centers.

Attractions and historical sites in Busoga kingdom

Kagulu Rock

The Kagulu Rock is known as the first Settlement region for the Bunyoro-Basoga led the Mukama. However much the Kagulu’s culture influence was wide range, there is a legacy landmark which is visible known as the Kagulu Rock. The Kagulu Rock is situated between two roads branch at its foots one leading to Gwaya and another to Lyingo. The summit of the rock will allow you to enjoy the spectacular scenic views of the Busoga region and it has steps which will help you to access the top. Kagulu Rock for a long time has been one of the Tourist attractions in the eastern region of Uganda and it has caught a glimpse sight to NGO workers with in the region and apparently it is one of the impressive tourist attractions in Busoga region.

Source of the Nile

The source of the Nile is the Origin Point of flow of the second longest river-River Nile in the World. River Separates from Lake Victoria in Jinja which is the adventure capital of East Africa. The source of Nile was discovered by John Speke who was one of the early European explorers in Uganda.  Apparently the source of the Nile is one of the key tourist attractions in Uganda that hosts numerous numbers of visitors from all over the world.

Budhumbula Shrine and Palace

The tourist attraction is located about 2 kilometers from Kamuli- Jinja Highway. It houses various shrines and it is a home to the Late Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope who passed on in 1976. The shrines are covered by Marbles and the site houses other shrines of the Royal Family such as Nadiope Father and Mother plus the shrines of his son as well as the former government minister in Uganda called Yuliya Babirye Nadiope. The palace is one of the legacy structures of the British colonial Government that was donated in 1914.

Lake Victoria

The Busoga kingdom is bordered by Lake Victoria in south which is the one the Africa’s great lakes with fresh waters. The Lake Victoria coastline runs from east of Jinja to the border of Kenya.

Bujjagali Falls

This was the former waterfall that was submerged in November 2011 by the Bujjagali Dam; it is one of the tourist attractions as an hydropower station over the victoria Nile which produces for the Bujjagali Falls in Uganda