Disagreement Erupts Over Burial Of The late Omutaka Daniel Bbosa Lwomwa The Clan Head Of Endiga (Sheep) Clan
On the morning of Tuesday, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, convened with a group of the executive members from the Buganda Kingdom clan heads council (Olukiiko lw’abataka). Ssalongo Augustine Kizito Mutumba, the speaker of the Council, led the meeting at Bulange Mengo, the headquarters of Buganda Kingdom.
The major focus of the meeting was to delve into specific issues concerning the council, particularly the burial arrangements for Omutaka Daniel Bbosa Lwomwa, the clan head of Endiga (Sheep) clan. Bbosa had tragically lost his life to gunmen near his residence in Lungujja, Lubaga Division, a suburb of Kampala.
According to Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the Kingdom Information and Mobilization minister, there are plans for the Kingdom to take charge of Bbosa’s burial arrangements. Owekitiibwa Anthony Wamala, the Culture, Palace, and Security minister in the Kingdom, is collaborating with the deceased’s family and the clan heads council to ensure a dignified farewell.
However, sources within the clan heads council revealed a disagreement during the initial meeting planning the burial. The family, represented by the widow Gladys Bbosa and the deceased’s son Bruce Bbosa, insisted on a Christian burial, given Bbosa’s strong commitment to being born again. The family desired a suit, a casket, and a traditional grave.
Contrarily, some clan premiers argued for a Kiganda traditional style burial, involving over 100 back clothes and a 15×15 feet grave, without a casket. The clash of preferences mirrored a past incident involving the late Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata Batte, illustrating the complexities of balancing cultural and individual beliefs in burial customs.
Despite the differences, assurances were made to respect the widow’s wish for a burial next to her husband, even as Bbosa would be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Mpigi district, alongside his parents. The burial is expected to take place next week, pending the completion of the successor selection process.
The process includes appointing the clan royal chair (Ssemusota) to preside over selecting Bbosa’s successor. The chosen successor will then be introduced to Kabaka Mutebi by Mayiga for confirmation or rejection before the final burial rites can proceed.
At the time of his death, Buganda Kingdom’s cultural Court (kkooti ya kisekwa) had declared Bbosa as illegally occupying the office of the head of the Endiga clan. He had appealed this judgment to the Supreme Court, presided over by Kabaka Mutebi, whose decision was pending.
In a related development, it has been reported that Brig. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira Sserunjogi, the Police Director for Crime Intelligence, and Maj. Dr. Tom Magambo, the Director for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), are overseeing proceedings at Mulago Hospital. Derrick Noah Luggya, a suspected assassin, is receiving treatment after being attacked by a mob.
Commandos and detectives are ensuring Luggya’s safety at the hospital, where he is responding positively to medication. Luggya is accused of pulling the trigger in the incident that claimed Bbosa’s life, with his accomplice Emmanuel Sserukuma meeting a fatal fate at the hands of the mob. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga stated that detectives would soon take Luggya’s statement as Buganda Premier Mayiga emphasized the importance of obtaining necessary information to bring all suspects to justice.