The lawyers of Edward Wambuzi Muloki have put President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and Busoga prime minister Katuukiro Dr Joseph Muvawala on notice after a letter from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) assured William Gabula Nadiope IV of government’s support in the ongoing battle for the throne.
BACKGROUND
On January 03, a section of members of the council of chiefs fired Kyabazinga Nadiope Gabula IV (Read story here).
First, Prime Minister Katuukiro Dr Joseph Muvawala issued a statement insisting Nadiope Gabula IV was still Kyabazinga and would rule Busoga until he dies.
Hours later, the six chiefs called a press conference to cement their position on the ‘sacking’ of Kyabazinga Gabula IV. (Read what they said here).
Kyabazinga Nadiope Gabula IV has since cracked the whip against some the chiefs, with their vehicles (which had been donated by President Museveni) confiscated, while others have been dethroned. (Read story here).
Some of the chiefs have also demanded that the Kyabazinga should hand over office. (Read story here).
Earlier today, a letter from the MoGLSD permanent secretary indicated that the Museveni government was still on the side of Gabula Nadiope IV. (Read story here).
It is this letter that Wambuzi’s lawyers of AB & David Advocates have responded to.
In a strong-worded statement, the lawyers made it clear that Gabula ceased to be king as soon as the chiefs removed him from the throne.
They also warned to Muvawala to stop claiming he was the Katuukiro because he was appointed by someone they do not recognize as king.
AB & David Advocates further warned government officials and Busoga administrators to respect court directives or else they will be dragged to court.
Here is the full letter that AB & David Advocates wrote to the MoGLSD permanent secretary on February 01, 2022:
We represent Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga who are the plaintiffs in HCCS 177 of 2014 currently pending Judgement before the High Court in Jinja. We are in receipt of your letter to Dr. Joseph Muvawala Katukiro of Gabula William Nadiope dated 21s of January 2022 REF GCC/188/224/01.
This is to notify you that Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga and HRH Edward Wambuzi Muloki sued Gabula William Nadiope and other chiefs for making an illegal declaration of Gabula William Nadiope as Kyabazinga of Busoga in the absence of a vacuum to the throne of the Kyabazinga since at the time of his illegal election, HRH Edward C Wambuzi Muloki had been elected Kyabazinga and approved by the Busoga Lukiiko and the contestation against his election in Election Petition No. 1 of 2009 before the High Court of Uganda dismissed by the court for lack of prosecution.
It is out of this that the election of Gabula William Nadiope remains Illegal and all his officers headed by Dr. Joseph Muvawala holding positions in the Kingdom illegally.
This is to also notify you that gazzeting Gabula well knowing that he has legal contestations against him as known by the entire public is illegal and we intend to hold you liable for your actions.
We put it to your attention that the same chiefs who elected Gabula William Nadiope have since passed a vote of no confidence in him for which reason we advise you to stop intermeddling into affairs of the Kingdom of Busoga.
The Constitutional Court in Constitutional Petition No. 43 of 2015 Dan Kawanguzi & Others Versus Attorney General and others has advised Government not to intermeddle in matters concerning the kingdom of Busoga in furtherance to their decision in Constitutional Petition No. 11 of 2008 Imaka Sajabi and Cranimer Kakaire vs Wilson Muwereza, Kaune Wakhooli and Another.
Your efforts portray you as imposing rejected leadership on the people of Busoga and we refrain you from doing so, lest we take legal action.
