Kyabazinga Pays Tribute to His Events Drummer

By Urban Mukembo

The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope 1V, paid tribute to late Diriisa Isabirye, a man behind the royal drum (Omubala) for the past 11 years now at the King’s palaces of Igenge, Budhumbula and other areas.

Mzee Diriisa also sounded the royal drum during Sir WW’s reign 1962-1976 died at the age of 99 after getting a disease attack last week, before he was rushed to Kamuli General Hospital and was laid to rest
at his home in Nawango village in Kitayunjwa Sub County on Monday.

In his message read by the Isabalangira (Chief Prince) of Bugabula BB Chiefdom in Kamuli district, the Kyabazinga lauded Mzee Diriisa as a committed subject who cherished Kisoga culture, upheld it and
promoted it to the masses.

“He loved Busoga, our culture and was committed to promoting it. We shall miss him,” the Kyabazinga’s
message read in part, urging the subjects to emulate Mzee Diriisa’s legacy and take Kisoga’s culture to
heights.

The deceased has been a spectacle to bold at cultural events, welcoming the King with love and passion
in sounding the royal drum, prostrating before him, rolling on the ground and heaping him with praises.

“Funvugha, Lata….Isseiffe Kyabazinga. Liiga lya Nte, Maino ga Ngoina, ekisegese ekitaliibwa Nsolo (Long
live Our King. The cow’s horn, the crocodile’s teeth, the porcupine which no animal can maul), were the praises he heaped on the King as the drum sounded to send a message that the King is alive, kicking and
“steadily” seated on the throne.

Following the day of an event, Mzee Diriisa would arrive at the Palace by 06:30am to sound the drum
and wake the King up and creating public awareness of the event the Kyabazinga is going to preside over at the Palace or elsewhere.

In that respect, the King never left the Palace or function venues until Mzee Diriisa sounded the drum,

the reason why he was always ferried in the King’s convoy to the destined venues to bless the arrival.
The send- off was attended by Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga (OBB) Ministers, politicians, the Muslim
community and cultural icons that included oracles from Busoga region.