The Kooki cultural institution, led by Kamuswaga Apollo Sansa Kabumbuli II, remains dedicated to the creation of new counties introduced three years ago to enhance service delivery to its people. In the year 2020, the cultural institution’s cabinet passed a resolution endorsing the establishment of new counties, with the aim of restoring Kooki’s historical prominence.
The proposed counties, namely Mayango, Ddungu, Kibaale, and Bulaga, are planned to include a minimum of three sub-counties each.
For instance, Bulaga County is expected to encompass Kacheera, Lwamaggwa, Ddwaniro, and Kagamba sub-counties. Ddungu County will consist of Lwanda, Kifamba, Rakai Town council, and Byakabanda sub-counties. Mayango County is slated to comprise Kyarurangira, Kiziba, and Kibanda sub-counties.
Richard Sseggwaanyi, the speaker of Kooki Lukiiko (Parliament), stated on Wednesday, “Our Kamuswaga appointed people to assist him in serving his subjects and they ended up with a resolution to revive the counties, which existed in the 1800s. We still have this plan and will implement it at an appropriate time.”
Samson Kakembo, one of the Kooki elders, affirmed the historical existence of these counties prior to Kooki’s inclusion in the Buganda Kingdom and expressed his happiness about their revival. He recalled his grandfather sharing stories about Kooki and its three counties.
Stanley Ndawula, the Kooki information minister, emphasized the challenges of reinstating something dormant for over a century. He mentioned that the county chiefs would be determined by the Kamuswaga.
Responding to inquiries about Kooki’s intent to create counties, Ndawula said, “Kooki is no longer on good terms with Buganda, and we want to prove that we can thrive as an independent cultural institution.”
In a previous interview, Noah Kiyimba, Buganda Kingdom’s minister for Lukiiko, cabinet affairs, and protocol, stated, “Our boundaries are well established, and Kooki is recognized as one of the counties of Buganda. If they have plans, it would be courteous for them to inform us.”
Nevertheless, Kooki officials assert that they will only reconsider their collaboration with Buganda after Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II engages in direct talks with Kamuswaga Apollo Kabumbuli II.
Kooki-Buganda Relations
Over the past decade, Kooki and Buganda have experienced tension, with Kooki asserting its independence as a cultural institution. Kooki officials have repeatedly prevented their counterparts from Buganda from entering their territory, insisting on prior clearance from Kamuswaga, a requirement that Buganda rejects. Although negotiations have taken place in the past year to resolve this deadlock, no tangible results have been achieved thus far.
