Former Bunyole Cultural Leader Martin Hayinja Dies.

By Ambrose  Wanagoli- Butaleja.

Hundreds of mourners on Tuesday gathered at the home of former Bunyole Cultural Leader Martin Hayinja, following news of his death.

Hayinja was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning at his residence in Mulagi Village, Busaba Sub-county. By press time, his body had been transferred to Mbale City Mortuary.

Family members said the deceased had for a long time been in fragile health, although he could still walk occasionally.

They revealed that his condition worsened after he suffered a stroke.

The family added that burial arrangements are underway and that Hayinja will be laid to rest shortly after Christmas.

The Chairperson of the Bunyole Royal Council, Zakriah Abdul Gessa (Kasumali), said he was shocked by Hayinja’s death, noting that the former cultural leader had not recently been reported seriously ill.

Gessa regretted that Hayinja passed on shortly after reconciling with the camp led by Prof. Elly Wesana Chomi, a move that had raised hopes of unity and eventual gazettement with a power-sharing arrangement aimed at fostering development in Bunyole.

Peter Kaita, a family friend whose ambulance transported the body to Mbale, described Hayinja as a fallen gentleman, an exemplary leader, a peacemaker, and a generous individual who dedicated his life to serving others.

Meanwhile, Ronald Higenyi, the Deputy Headteacher of Namalu Seed School, said Hayinja was a dependable teacher and mentor who taught him at Busoga University. He praised the late leader for shaping many education professionals through his guidance and commitment.

Martin Hayinja, a member of the Mubengo clan, was elected Bunyole Cultural Leader in 2010 after a hotly contested race involving Ben Muyagu of the Bulwa clan and Abdu Zakriah Gessa of the Bugalo clan.

He served until 2017, when another faction of the Banyole challenged the leadership of the Bunyole Cultural Institution on the basis of royalism.

That group later elected Prof. Elly Wesana Chomi as the cultural leader, although his leadership has not yet been gazetted.

Historically, Bunyole cultural leadership was believed to rotate among three clans: Bulwa, Mubengo, and Bugalo.

Apart from cultural leadership, Hayinja was a retired teacher and lecturer. He taught at Kaliro National Teachers’ College and later at Busoga University in the Faculty of Education and Vocational Studies, where he mentored many students who have since joined the teaching profession.

He will be remembered for his dedication to education, peace-building, and cultural leadership in Bunyole.