Bamba Elders Want To Meet Museveni Over Cultural Leader

http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=55117

Members of Bundibugyo Elders Development Association (BEDA) want President Museveni to explain why the government is still quiet on their demand to install the Bamba Cultural leader.

The President is expected to visit Bundibugyo on Tuesday. The installation of Major Martin Kamya as the cultural leader or Omudinganya of the Bamba community has been postponed several times. He was slated to be installed as the leader of Obhudingiya Bwa Bwamba-OBB in Bundibugyo district in May, but the ceremony was cancelled. This was the second time the function had been postponed. Major Kamya was initially supposed to be installed in February, before the ceremony was pushed to May.

In August last year, during a meeting of BEDA members, Kamya was elected as the cultural leader of the Bamba. Kamya is the eldest son of the late Jeremiah Kawamara, one of the founders of the Rwenzururu movement.

In a telephone interview, Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the chairperson of BEDA, says they want to use Museveni’s visit to the district to tell the president that they are impatient and would want to hear the government’s position on the matter.  He says that two months ago they presented the necessary documents to the cabinet, but up to now they haven’t received any response.

According to Bamwitirebye, some of the documents that were requested by the government were the OBB constitution, anthem and emblem. Others include the resolution by the Bundibugyo district council in support of the OBB and the BEDA council resolution electing Major Kamya.

He says it’s a surprise that the government has decided to keep quiet for the last two months. Bamwitirebye also says they are waiting for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to clear Major Kamya from the army, so that it enables him serve his subjects.

Last year, while meeting the OBB and BEDA members, Museveni allowed Major Kamya to retire from the army and be crowned cultural leader of the Bamba community.

Gerald Mugisa, the secretary BEDA says they have already requested State House officials for a meeting with the President when he visits the district. He says that the delay to install the Bamba cultural leader will lead to continued provocation from the Bakonzo, who still regard Bundibugyo as part of Rwenzururu Kingdom.