The roots of the political fractures that tear at the heart of Busoga’s leadership today can be traced back to the turbulent era of Milton Obote’s first presidency (1962–1971). Far from being a modern phenomenon, the rivalry among Busoga’s political elite was forged in the crucible of Uganda’s early post-independence struggles, where local monarchical pride clashed violently with the rise of a centralized, nationalist state. It was a time when the Kyabazingaship—the very symbol of Basoga unity—became a political weapon, transforming brother against brother in a desperate bid for power.
Whatever we are seeing today; The bickering, the selfishness, the egos and the fight for supremacy in the region, among others is not an orchestration of the NRM and president Museveni as some of the opposition leaders in the region alleges. Its a seed that was planted, germinated and nurtured in 1962.
However, as the Igbo proverb says,”If a child learns to climb a dangerous height, the mother learns to cry.” Busoga should just cope up with the curse of disunity.
During Milton Obote’s first administration (Obote 1, 1962–1971), Busoga’s politics were defined by intense rivalries centered around traditional leadership (the Kyabazingaship), party affiliations (UPC vs. DP), and factional power struggles within the government. Key political battles included;
1. Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope vs. Henry Wako Muloki. This was Busoga’s primary traditional and political rivalry. Henry Wako Muloki was leaning towards the Democratic Party ( DP ) while Sir William Nadiope was top mobiliser of Obote’s UPC. Nadiope used the UPC clout and parliamentary backing through the controversial Busoga Validation Act of 1963 to depose Muloki and install himself as Kyabazinga. This created a sharp conflict in Busoga.
William Nadiope vs. Mathias Ngobi. These were both prominent Basoga figures in the UPC government. However, they engaged in fierce internal power and resource struggles for dominance over Busoga politics. Mathias Ngobi, who served as Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, fell out with Obote’s inner circle and was arrested and imprisoned in February 1966 along with other ministers on allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. This was alleged to be orchestrated by Nadiope, being a close confidant of Obote. Later on, Nadiope himself eventually fell out with Obote, who placed him under house arrest and sidelined him by 1969 on fraud charges.
Shaban Kirunda Nkutu, a childhood friend of Obote and ally right from Busoga College Mwiri was fronted by Obote to freeze out Nadiope and Ngobi. Nkutu represented a loyalist UPC faction in Busoga contrasting sharply with Basoga alienated from Obote’s government sidelining Nadiope and Ngobi. He rose through ranks as cabinet minister and UPC national chairman.
Frank Kalimuzo and Henry Kyemba are key figures from Busoga who served in top civil service and secretarial roles in the first Milton Obote (Obote I) government (1962–1971). Frank Kalimuzo, Served as the first Ugandan Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office and Secretary to the Cabinet (as well as Head of the Civil Service) from independence in 1962 until 1970, before being appointed Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University. Henry Kyemba, Served as the Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister / President Milton Obote from 1962 through 1971. Obote ensured that these two always were always protected from the Busoga political storms.
Has the pre independence Busoga spirit collapsed or is it collapsing? When the spirit collapses, it leaves behind a trail of lost generations of Basoga. Who loses, who gains? It’s time to rethink and do away with what has become the generational curse.
Elite Basoga should note and explain Aristotle’s quote, that says;
“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.”
The writer, George Mubiru, is a researcher, senior teacher and assistant RCC Jinja City.
Tel: 0786578979
Email: georgemubiru93@gmail.com
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