Jinja High Court has on February 18 ruled that William Gabula Nadiope IV is the duly elected king (kyabazinga) of Busoga.
In 2014, Prince Edward Columbus Wambuzi, the chief of Bulamogi and sworn enemy of the Kyabazinga, ran to court following the election of Gabula as king. (Read Story with chronology of Wambuzi vs Gabula woes Here).
Wambuzi argued that he was the rightly elected king of Busoga, and that, therefore, it was unlawful and illegal for Gabula to be elected king when there was one.
Now, after eight years of waiting court has delivered judgement regarding the case.
Deputy registrar Fred Waninda read the judgement.
According to the ruling, the earlier election of Wambuzi in 2008 lacked quorum.
While at least eight of the 11 royal chiefs are required to elect the king, Wambuzi had been chosen by only seven.
Court also ruled that the election of 2009 was equally null and void since only five chiefs had elected the kyabazinga.
But the temple of justice upheld Gabula’s election in 2014 since there was the requisite quorum as required by Article 8 of the Busoga Kingdom Constitution.
Court ruled that Wambuzi’s election lacked quorum and was therefore illegal while Gabula’s had quorum and is therefore upheld.
“I the therefore dismiss this petition with costs,’’ ruled the presiding judicial officer.
The judgement comes weeks since a section of chiefs fired Kyabazinga Gabula. (Read Story Here).
