BUTALEJA. The Bunyole Cultural Institution will be officially gazetted on December 12, 2026, clearing the way for the long-delayed enthronement of Sehulu Professor Elly Wesana Chomi, leaders have announced.
The date was revealed on Saturday during a meeting of Banyole clan leaders and elders at Booma Playground in Butaleja District, called to discuss the institution’s future and prepare for Mr Chomi’s formal installation.
Mr Chomi was elected Sehulu of Bunyole on September 21, 2019, and sworn in three days later. The institution, however, has operated without government recognition ever since.
Mr Apollo Lyada, the Prime Minister of the Bunyole Cultural Institution, said the matter was raised directly with President Museveni during his visit to Butaleja on November 14, 2025.
He added that the President later held a follow-up meeting with Mr Chomi at State House, Mayuge, on November 20, 2025, where the gazettement was further discussed.
According to Mr Lyada, President Museveni subsequently directed the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to prepare a brief on the institution to guide his decision. The ministry has since shared the brief with the institution’s leadership.
Call for unity
Speaking at the same event, Mr Emmanuel Dombo, the NRM Director of Communications and guest speaker, urged the Banyole community to rally behind the process and use the institution to strengthen cultural identity.
He linked formal recognition to wider government programmes, saying a gazetted institution could help mobilise communities around initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
“It will also help in [the] mobilisation of people in wealth creation [and] education,” Mr Dombo said.
Ms Sovereign Hasahya, an Executive Assistant in the NRM Directorate of Information and Publicity, cautioned against divisions over cultural leadership and called for continued engagement with government.
“Let’s be united and remind the government what we want. I was one of the delegates who met the President in Mayuge, and I promise to work for my people,” she said.
Mr Kadimba Hussein, President of Banyole Outside Butaleja, said Banyole living beyond the district should also be brought into the institution’s affairs.
Support pledged
Several local leaders pledged their backing for the process. Hon. Logose Sarah Annet urged parents to prioritise children’s education while supporting the gazettement.
Butaleja District Chairperson Mr Were Elvis said the district was willing to provide land for the Sehulu’s palace, pending council approval.
Hon. Ronald Mutego also pledged his support.
With the December 12 date now confirmed, attention turns to preparations for the gazettement and the enthronement of Sehulu Chomi — with leaders stressing that unity among Banyole both in and outside Butaleja will be key to the next phase.