Butembe Chiefdom Throne Dispute Reignites

Prince Yasin Waguma Ntembe, the hereditary chief of the Butembe Chiefdom within Busoga Kingdom, has once again asserted his claim to the throne after a prolonged absence.

Ntembe was initially crowned Royal Chief of Butembe following the death of his father, Badiru Waguma Ntembe, in 2009. At that time, he was one of the 11 hereditary chiefs responsible for electing the Kyabazinga. He assumed office during a turbulent period of succession disputes in the kingdom.

Though he later chaired the council that oversaw the election of a new Kyabazinga, Ntembe was subsequently replaced as chief. He claims the kingdom’s administration has since backed his rivals, leading to his current protest. The latest catalyst for his renewed bid appears to be a recent courtesy visit by the current Kyabazinga to the home of the incumbent Butembe chief, Prince Fredrick Walugembe.

Ntembe has petitioned the Waguma clan chairperson, disputing Walugembe’s legitimacy and emphasizing the hereditary nature of the chiefdom’s leadership. “My father, Waguma, inherited the position from our grandfather, Yusuf Waguma. This made him the rightful Royal Chief of Butembe. Upon Waguma’s death, I became his heir and, automatically, the rightful chief of Butembe,” Ntembe stated.

He questioned Walugembe’s continued claim to the position while he is still alive, citing the Obwabusoga Constitution’s stipulation that the role is hereditary. While Ntembe expressed no regret over his role in the Kyabazinga’s election, he voiced disappointment in the kingdom’s administration for not assisting him in reclaiming his perceived rightful position.

Supporters like Moses Bakeera, former chairperson of the Busoga Bulale pressure group, have backed Ntembe’s petition, questioning the legitimacy of the current situation. However, David Lukakamwa, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Butembe Chiefdom appointed by Walugembe, dismissed Ntembe’s claims. Lukakamwa stated that Ntembe’s father had temporarily held the seat and there was no guarantee of succession for Prince Ntembe.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda) https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/butembe-chiefdom-throne-dispute-resurfaces-5607544