The Kyabazinga Royal Palace is the new home of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, located on Igenge Hill, Jinja North City Division.
The Kyabazinga Royal Palace is the new home of the Kyabazinga of Busoga. It’s situated on Igenge Hill, Jinja North City Division. In 2010, President Museveni and other leaders pledged money toward the rehabilitation of Prince William Gabula Nadiope’s palace (Kyabazinga Royal palace) at Budhumbula in the Kamuli district.
A portion of this money was to be used in the reconstruction of the tombs of the late Sir Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope. This was the first vice-president of Uganda under the Milton Obote I government and Kyabazinga of Busoga.
Prince William Gabula Nadiope of Bugabula is the grandson of Wilberforce Nadiope. He was elected as King of Busoga in 2014 making him the regal ruler of the Busoga Kingdom.
During a fundraising ceremony at Budhumbula in the Kamuli district, Prince Nadiope was given a medal in recognition of his late grandfather. He played a big role in securing Uganda’s independence.
It was the former Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, and others who Basoga who hail from Bugabula that initiated the improvement of the Kyabazinga Royal Palace. After six years and a total of 7 billion spent, the Kyabazinga finally moved into the new palace.
The Palace is a key achievement recorded in the kingdom. This is because, in the past seven years, none of Kyabazinga’s three predecessors has lived in this official palace.
History of the Busoga Kingdom & Kyabazinga Predecessors
Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga, often known as the Busoga Kingdom, is one of Uganda’s most renowned and well-run kingdoms in Africa.
The Basoga were divided into chiefdoms, and they swore loyalty to the Bunyoro Kingdom. It was ultimately replaced by Buganda.
The Busoga chiefdoms were united to form the Busoga Lukiko after the arrival of the British colonialists, which was initially governed by Semei Kakungulu-a Muganda British Collaborator.
The Busoga maintained the arrangement after Kakungulu’s rule came to an end, giving rise to the title of Isebantu Kyabazinga.
The first Kyabazinga, Ezekiel Tenywa, used to reside in a house in Bugembe Town.
In 1925, Ezekiel Tenywa Wako became a member of the Uganda Kings Council. It was made up of the Isebantu Kyabazinga, Kabaka, Omukama of Bunyoro, Omukama of Toro, and Omugabe of Ankole.
On February 11, 1939, was installed as the first Isebantu Kyabazinga. He held this title until 1949 when he retired due to old age.
This is when the Busoga Lukiiko resolved that the Kyabazinga shall always be elected among the five lineages. They are to be from Baise Ngobi (Ababiito) hereditary rulers, who are the 5 sons of Prince Mukama Namutukula of Bunyoro Kingdom.
This method of election was adopted and used beginning in 1949 with Chief William Wilberforce Nadiope Kadhumbula of Bugabula as the first.
Kyabazinga Nadiope Wilberforce Kadhumbula, the father of the current King, stayed in his private palace at Budumba in Kamuli District.
His follower Kyabazinga Henry Wako Muloki lived in his private palace in Nakabango in Jinja.
In 1967 however, President Apollo Milton Obote abolished monarchies and the Kyabazinga was dethroned. The title and kingdom were both lost. Busoga had no kingdom for a long time.
Henry Wako Muloki died in 2008 and was replaced by William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV. He was crowned the 4th Isebantu Kyabazinga.
Today, the people of Busoga still use the centralized monarchy system now under the reign of His Highness William Wilberforce.
Unique tourist features at the Palace
Some of the tourist features can be found at the Kyabazinga Palace. Others may be visited as you go along.
Royal Tour of the Palace
The Kyabazinga Royal Palace is the perfect place to learn about Busoga culture, traditions, and the royal kingdom.
Today, tourists are allowed to visit the Kyabazinga and the palace. Just like tourists pay £15 for a royal tour at Buckingham Palace in London, UK, the same goes for the Kyabazinga Royal Palace.
A royal tour to the Kyabazinga palace exposes you to the royal, historical, and cultural places of the Busoga Kingdom. They give you a deeper understanding of the Busoga Kingdom, which is significant to Uganda’s history and culture.
Spectacular views of the source of the River Nile
The Kyabazinga Royal Palace is located eight kilometres from Jinja town on Bugembe Hill.
The gives viewers a spectacular view of the source of the Nile in Jinja from a higher place. You may explore it right after your visit. Here’s what you’ll discover.
You may see a plaque here designating the starting site of the Nile’s voyage through Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt. The John Speke memorial is a monument that marks the spot where Speke stood when he first observed the source of the Nile on July 28, 1862.
This gave rise to the name Rippon Falls. The source of the River Nile was at the location of the Rippon Falls.
The Budhumbula Shrine and Palace
This shrine was donated by the British Protectorate in 1914. It is situated 2 kilometres from Kamuli Town along the Jinja-Kamuli highway.
At this cultural site, one can find a shrine and the former residence of the former Kyabazinga (King) of Busoga Kingdom-Sir William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope. He passed on in 1976.
At the Shrine are also graves of also other members of the Royal family like the former King and Queen (Nadiope’s mother and father)-Nadiope (father) and Nansikombi (mother).
The Bugembe Palace
The Bugembe palace was built in 1965 under Sir William Wilberforce Nadiope. It was looted by Idi Amin’s troops in the middle of the 1970s.
Images for Kyabazinga Royal Palace
Conclusion
The Kyabazinga Royal Palace is a cultural treasure. One needs a local tour guide who knows about the culture and story of the place. That way he can show and narrate better for you.
In addition to this Busoga Palace are well-known magnificent adventure safari in Jinja. A lifetime’s worth of cultural experiences can be yours if you are a culture aficionado and are among the first to visit the Kyabazinga Royal Palace.
Do not hesitate to book that trip and be among the first few people to visit the new royal palace in Busoga.
