The four Buganda chiefs who were arrested in Kooki for alleged trespassing have been released with a caution.
The officials include Gertrude Nakalanzi Ssebugwawo, the Coordinator of Buganda Kingdom programs in Kooki, Joseph Mutyaba, the Kabura County chief, Paul Mwanje, the Kyarurangira sub-county chief representing Buganda, and Willy Kiyaga, his deputy.
According to Ssebugwawo, they had gone to install the new chiefs who were appointed by the Kabaka of Buganda-Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II but later intercepted by security personnel.
Prior to their arrest, police had dispersed three of their meetings warning them to leave Kooki since they lacked consent from the Kooki Cultural institution.
According to Godfrey Kimbugwe, the Kooki Deputy Prime Minister, the Kingdom officials did not seek permission to hold any cultural activity in Kooki.
He maintains that Kooki is no longer part of Buganda but the Mengo officials keep undermining their Independence as a legitimate cultural institute recognized under the laws of Uganda.
Noor Kiyimba, the Buganda Kingdom spokesperson, insists that Kooki is still part of Buganda and the installation of the chiefs was not illegal.
Gertrude Ssebugwawo, the former first Deputy Katikiro of Kooki, fell out with the leadership after Kamuswaga declined to give her full responsibility as Prime Minister and instead appointed Alhaj- Idi Ahmed Kiwanuka. She has since been coordinating Buganda Kingdom programs in Kooki which has escalated the difference between the two cultural institutions.
