After years of tension and uncertainty, the long-awaited peace talks in the Bugwere cultural institution have finally begun, offering a renewed sense of hope to the institution once torn apart by division.
The leadership crisis began soon after the death of the first cultural leader, Mr John C. Wayabire, in 2021, when rival factions within the institution failed to agree on the rightful successor.
What started as a disagreement over succession quickly escalated into widespread unrest. Many factions emerged, each claiming to be the duly elected cultural leader of the Bagwere.
The subjects, people of Ikumbania, watched helplessly as their land drifted towards chaos. But last week marked a turning point. Under the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), a consensus-building meeting of aspirants and their representatives on the leadership of Obwa Ikumbania Bwa Bugwere cultural institution was held at Mountain Inn Hotel, Mbale.
The meeting was chaired by the Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Egesa George Bogere, the respected voice of wisdom, where leaders (clans) from all sides gathered for mediation.
“The talks were not easy. Deep mistrust lingered and tempers flared more than once. They, for the first time in months, there was also genuine conversation-listening instead of shouting. Reasoning instead of accusation,” said Mr Claudeus Kikokonkoli, a representative of Joshua Musimami, one of the claimants.
Bishop Bogere spoke passionately about restoring the institution’s dignity through dialogue.
“We cannot build a future while fighting the shadows of the past. The throne was meant to unite us, not divide us,” he said.
His words struck a chord. By the second day, representatives of the rival factions and the claimants agreed to build consensus.
The claimants who attended the meeting included Mr Pangholi Samuku Mubbala, Geoffrey Wayabire, Erick Kasolo, Nzogi Ngobi, Mr Francis Kanku, and Mr Joshua Musimami, who was represented by Mr Claudeus Kikonkolo.
Mr Mubbala proposed a power-sharing government, with him as Ikumbania, the cultural leader of Bagwere. He also proposed a cabinet that would include Mr. Nzogi Ngobi as chairperson of the cultural council, Mr Geoffrey Wayabire as Prime Minister, Mr Joshua Musimami as Secretary General, Mr Francis Kanku as 1st Prime Minister, and Mr Eric Kasolo as Speaker.
However, Mr Kasolo and Mr Wayabire supported the idea of electing the Ikumbania by ballot by all clan heads. This left four against two to build a common consensus.
“We have people who have continued to confuse the subjects, which has left them totally divided on the leadership,” said Mr. Badiru Kirya, the cultural council chairperson.
The leadership troubles of the Institution of Obwa Ikumbania Bwa Bugwere started after the death of the first Cultural leader, John Wayabire, on February 6, 2021.
The institution continued to operate under the recognized constitution of 2013 under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr Joel Mugulusi, the speaker, Mr Jacob Maiso, and the chairperson, cultural council, Mr Badiru Kirya.
The Mbale High Court declared Mr Mubbala the lawful leader, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development requested implementation of the court order.
However, this did not happen as another rival party petition court.
The elections of a new cultural head of Obwa Ikumbania Bwa Bugwere has been indefinitely suspended pending the disposal of court case.
Several attempts by the Ministry of Gender to have warrying parties unite hit deadlock.