The late Kyabazinga of Busoga who died on September 1, 2008 will be given a state funeral, the government of Uganda has announced. Yesterday, the Uganda Parliament paid tribute to the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Henry Wako Muloki, for his contributions to Uganda. Uganda government has declared the burial date, Monday, September 8, 2008 a public holiday. President Museveni is expected to attend. The Kyabazinga’s casket is expected to be covered in the Uganda flag and to be escorted by the police convoy.
The Kyabazinga’s body is lying in state at Parliament from September 3, to September 4, 2008 before leaving for other ceremonies in Busoga late Thursday. While in Parliment government officials, dignitaries and the public have had the opportunity to view the body and sign a condolence book.
In the meantime, Busoga officials announced on Wednesday that the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Mr Wilson Muwereza, will act as the Kyabazinga for a period of 90 days after the burial of Muloki. After this temporary period the clan leaders of Busoga will start the process of selecting the next Kyabazinga.
The 87 year old monarch died yesterday of cancer of the esophagus and the spinal cord at Mulago Hospital, Kampala. The cancer, which troubled the Kyabazinga for about 10 years, has kept him in and out of hospitals in Germany, India and Uganda.
