November 13, 2024 — In a moving display of tradition and heritage, the royal clan of Obwa Zibondo Bwa Bulamogi gathered to introduce Waako Julius Nkonte as the heir to the late David Wilson Waako Wambuzi in a ceremony filled with ritual and cultural symbolism. This event served not only as a final farewell to Wambuzi but as a testament to the clan’s commitment to sustaining its cultural legacy.
Engineer Nelson Gagawala Wambuzi, the Issabalangira (Clan Head) of Bulamogi, donned traditional attire with symbolic beads and backcloth to preside over the ceremony. Addressing the Balangira clan members, he highlighted the ritual’s importance in unifying the clan, affirming the passage of hereditary leadership, and ensuring the preservation of customs. This transition ceremony, a tribute to the forebears Omukama Zibondo Lamogi and Omukama Rukidi, emphasized the clan’s dedication to educating younger generations on their heritage and its relevance to modern identity.
In his address, the Issabalangira of Bulamogi urged the heir, Julius Waako Nkonte, (Omulangira Owe Nsimbi) to honor the principles championed by his late father: resilience, cultural stewardship, environmental responsibility, and unity. He called upon Julius to plant fifty (50) Mutuba trees (backcloth trees) on the ancestral land as both a tribute and a living symbol of their cultural identity.
The ceremony was concluded with the powerful sound of the Nkonte royal drum, a family heirloom, as the gathered clan members shared slogans and stories, reinforcing the value of preserving their rich traditions for future generations. His Royal Highness Edward Columbus Wambuzi, the Zibondo of Bulamogi, extended his condolences to the family and voiced his support for Waako Julius Nkonte in his new role. The service also included a solemn blessing from the Bishop of Central Busoga, The Right Reverend Patrick Wakula, underscoring the deep spiritual dimension of the clan’s heritage.