Bunyole Cultural Leader Laid to Rest , Prime Minister takes charge .

By Ambrose Wanagoli

Hundreds of mourners on Saturday gathered in Mulagi village, Busaba Sub-county in Butaleja District to bid farewell to the fallen Bunyole Cultural Leader, Martin Hayinja, who was laid to rest amid calls for unity and recognition of the Bunyole Cultural Institution.

Hayinja, who died on Tuesday, was eulogised as a visionary, unifier, and educationist who dedicated his life to the promotion of culture, unity and education among the Banyole people. Speakers from within and outside Butaleja District praised his exemplary leadership and selfless service.

During the burial, Eddy Wamusha, the Prime Minister of the Bunyole Cultural Institution under Hayinja, was formally introduced to mourners as the interim successor to lead the institution.

Wamusha said he would steer the Banyole for the next six months as consultations continue towards the gazettement of the Bunyole Cultural leadership.

“I have served as Prime Minister for six years under the late Hayinja. The Banyole miss out on opportunities such as bursaries, unity, identity and the preservation of our cultural norms, especially in the face of technological change,” Wamusha said.

Abdu Zakriah Gessa, Chairperson of the Bunyole Royal Council, together with opinion leader and researcher Tom Daka Wisso, reiterated that Bunyole has three recognised royal clans—Bulwa, Mubengho and Bugalo—one of which Hayinja belonged to.

Ambassador Dorothy Hyuha told mourners that she played a key role in petitioning the President to gazette the Bunyole Cultural Institution, a process that remains incomplete.

Family members and close associates described Hayinja as a pillar of strength and guidance. Peter Kaita, a relative, and Moses Musamba Nagwomu, a family friend, said the deceased was a parent figure, a unifier and a committed educationist whose legacy will endure.

In his homily, Fr. Gaetano Ochieng, Parish Priest of Mulagi Catholic Parish, urged parents to prioritise education for their children, encouraging them to pursue Advanced Level studies to remain competitive globally.

He also criticised excessive political fanaticism, noting that many people invest more in political campaigns than in the welfare of their families, yet politics is temporary.

Godfrey Hamba, a son of the deceased and an Inspector of Schools in Namutumba District, praised his father’s generosity and tolerance, which he said drew the large crowd of mourners.

He added that Hayinja was a strong advocate of education and ensured that all his children studied without difficulty.

Hayinja was elected Bunyole Cultural Leader in 2010 by presidents of various clans, a process spearheaded by Tom Daka Wisso based on the recognition of the three royal clans.

However, in 2017, a faction opposed this position and elected Prof. Elly Wesana Chomi as an alternative cultural leader, leading to years of rivalry.

The tension was recently eased after the two factions signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly push for the gazettement of the cultural institution.

Sadly, Hayinja passed away before the President could formally endorse the gazettement of the Bunyole Cultural Institution.

Among the dignitaries present at the burial were Apollo Lyada, Prime Minister of the Bunyole Cultural Institution under Prof. Chomi; Sadala Wegulo, Speaker in Chomi’s camp; Geoffrey Eric Mutiwa, the incumbent MP for Bunyole West; James Waluswaka, NRM flag bearer for Bunyole West; Sarah Logose, NRM flag bearer for Woman MP; and Milly Mugeni, former District Woman MP, among others.