The Ngwenyama (king) of Eswatini, His Majesty Mswati III who is on a state visit to Uganda, spent his second day (Thursday 15th August 2024) in Busoga Kingdom, visiting and appreciating cultures and several key development initiatives.
His Majesty Mswati III flanked by his wife, Queen Inkhosikati Make Lamashwama and a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini visited the Kingdom of Busoga and was welcomed by the Kyabazinga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV and Queen Jovia Mutesi, the Katukiro (Prime Minister) of Busoga, Dr. Joseph Muvawala.
King Mswati III held fruitful discussions with his host to further strengthen their relationship.
“We would like to say that our coming here is also to strengthen cooperation, to build ties between ourselves because as members of the African Union which is in dire need of improving lives of our people, our obligation is to work together through several areas of cooperation. We are here to look at the possible opportunities on both sides of the two kingdoms and to work together,” said His Majesty the King of Eswatini adding that his visit was to not only reciprocate the visit paid by the Kyabazinga recently but also to celebrate strong cultures.
“I’m very happy on behalf of the people of the kingdom of Eswatini to be here to pay a visit. I’m happy that when I come here to see the king, we are well received by all of you and you’re showing us the cultures of Busoga kingdom. When the king came to the kingdom of Eswatini, we also showed him a little bit of our culture of what Eswatini is and he told me that he was so happy to see that. I was myself looking forward to coming and seeing this particular culture that you have prepared for us,” His Majesty noted after witnessing the different cultural norms and their meaning.
King Mswati also thanked President Museveni for the invitation to come for a state visit which he said will go a long way in furthering the good relations between Uganda and Eswatini.
“I’m happy to come here and very pleased to be received by His Majesty the Kyabazinga and his delegation. Thank you very much for the hospitality and warm reception. We have really enjoyed our stay here and we will take many happy memories of this place,” King Mswati stated.
On the other hand, His Majesty Mswati called upon their subjects on both sides to always welcome and appreciate rain as a blessing to prosperity but not a disturbance to such ceremonies.
“We are so happy that when we come here, we can see that our ancestors and our God Almighty are with us. I’m glad that coming with rain is a sign that there will be prosperity because when you have enough rain that’s a sign of prosperity. We’re talking about food security where we need rain especially to irrigate our crops. So, when I see this rain here, it makes me very happy that the Busoga kingdom will definitely have a lot of blessings,” he stated.
At the same function, His Majesty Mswati III gifted land to the Kyabazinga in Eswatini to keep the cattle he was given last month upon his maiden visit.
On his part, the Kyabazinga of Busoga His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV welcomed his guest and expressed gratitude to President Museveni for creating a strong bond between Eswatini and Uganda.
“Today is a special day in the history of Busoga as we continue to strengthen our relationship with the mighty kingdom of Eswatini through embracing unity of purpose, brotherhood and safeguarding the present and future generations through promoting our culture and heritage. I thank the President of Uganda, H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for establishing strong bilateral relations between our two countries; Uganda and the kingdom of Eswatini from which we can tap important brotherly and cultural relationships that have got great potential of uniting us as Africans and for the development of our people,” the Kyabazinga noted.
In a special way, he commended the King of Eswatini for honouring his invitation-on short notice to attend the grand Busoga Royal wedding in November 2023 by sending a 10-man powerful delegation to represent him.
In the same vein, the Kyabazinga thanked King Mswati for the hospitality during their 4-day official visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini in July 2024 where he attended the esteemed Ingwenyama Cup gala, also known as the King's Cup, a prominent annual football competition in Eswatini.
“Your Majesty, the people of Busoga kingdom whom I lead have great admiration and good wishes for your kingdom. And in particular your exemplary and steadfast leadership that has preserved the original African culture and heritage,” the Kyabazinga stated.
