Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom of Busongora
The Constitution of Busongora
Revised Edition - Jan 2014
Published by the Royal Busongora Academy
THE CONSTITUTION OF BUSONGORA
CONTENTS
Chapters/Articles
CHAPTER 1: Nature of the Constitution of the Kingdom
1 - Preamble
2 - Basis for the Legality of the Constitution
3 - Declaration of Kingdom on the Nature of the Constitution
4 - Official Language and Script of Busongora
5 - Emblems and Anthems
CHAPTER 2: The Competencies of the Kingdom
6 - Formulation of Competencies of the Kingdom
7 - Implementation of General Competencies of the Kingdom
CHAPTER 3: The Muhabuzi - Legislative Parliamentary Assembly
8 - Muhabuzi - Legislative Parliamentary Assembly of Busongora Kingdom
9 - Parliamentary Privileges of Members of Muhabuzi
10 - Conduct of Legislative Parliamentary Assembly
11 - Budget Process, Money Bills & Fiscal Management
CHAPTER 4: The Monarchy of Busongora
12 - Constitutional Monarchy
13 - Functions of the Monarch
14 - Appointment of the Monarch
15 - Oath of Office of the Monarch
16 - Royal Prerogative and Regency
17 - Auxiliary Royal Offices
18 - Council of Advisors [Abajwarakondo]
CHAPTER 5: The Administration of Busongora Kingdom
19 - Administration System
20 - Prime Minister
21 - Structure of Council of Ministers [Cabinet]
22 - Organization of Territories, Regions and Provinces
23 - Busongora Civil Service [Ishaazi]
24 - Formation of Public Bodies & Registry of Guilds
25 - Supervision of Public Bodies
CHAPTER 6: Public Bodies
26 - Busongora Land Board
27 - Royal Busongora Academy
28 - Busongora Grain and Seed Bank
29 - Busongora Judicial Court
CHAPTER 7: Honors and Awards
29 - The Order of Busongora
30 - Titles of Nobility and of Royalty
CHAPTER 8: Amendments and Ratification
31 - Interpretation, Amendments and Ratification
CHAPTER 1: Nature of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Busongora
Article 1: PREAMBLE
We the people of Busongora,
BLESSED by the protection of God, the wisdom of our leaders, the everlasting fortunes of the land, and the guidance of our Community Parliamentary Assembly - Muhabuzi;
CONVINCED that shared history, as well as common ancestry, origins, language and culture are all indispensible prerequisites for the constructive organization and survival of any collection of people;
COGNIZANT of our inalienable natural and conventional rights to associate and to promote and pratice our culture in peace;
DESIRING to protect the accomplishments of our ancestors and the progress of our community, to safeguard and improve our environment, health, virtues, wisdom, our native arts, aesthetics and language, and to share in the bounties of the venerable, ancient and unique culture of Busongora;
DESIRING further to enhance the unity, dignity and well-being of all Creation for all time, and to protect all peoples in the exercise of their cultures, traditions and languages, in order to insure a dignified quality of life for all;
PLEDGING ourselves to the pursuit of constructive and life-affirming service to humanity, for the purpose of securing the blessings of co-operation, justice, liberty, health, security and peace on the Earth;
DO HEREBY ordain and adopt this constitution for the Kingdom of Busongora, on the First Day of the Seventh Month of the Year of Two Thousand and Twelve of the Common Era.
Article 2: Basis for the Legality of the Constitution of Busongora Kingdom
i. The Basongora as a People are entitled, under the tenets of natural justice and historical convention, to pursue and to preserve its community and its cultural heritage. The community of the Basongora is also empowered by various international, continental, regional and state conventions, to preserve, enjoy benefit of its own cultural heritage, customs and norms. In this regard, the Constitution of Uganda is clear:
Pursuant to Chapter Sixteen of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995.,[1] Sc 246. - Institution of traditional or cultural leaders.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies.
(2) In any community, where the issue of traditional or cultural leader has not been resolved, the issue shall be resolved by the community concerned using a method prescribed by Parliament.
(3) The following provisions shall apply in relation to traditional leaders or cultural leaders—
(a) the institution of traditional leader or a cultural leader shall be a corporation sole with perpetual succession and with capacity to sue and be sued and to hold assets or properties in trust for itself and the people concerned;
(b) nothing in paragraph (a) shall be taken to prohibit a traditional leader or cultural leader from holding any asset or property acquired in a personal capacity;
(c) a traditional leader or cultural leader shall enjoy such privileges and benefits as may be conferred by the Government and local government or as that leader may be entitled to under culture, custom and tradition;
(d) subject to paragraph (c) of this clause, no person shall be compelled to pay allegiance or contribute to the cost of maintaining a traditional leader or cultural leader;
(e) a person shall not, while remaining a traditional leader or cultural leader, join or participate in partisan politics;
(f) a traditional leader or cultural leader shall not have or exercise any administrative, legislative or executive powers of Government or local government.
(4) The allegiance and privileges accorded to a traditional leader or a cultural leader by virtue of that office shall not be regarded as a discriminatory practice prohibited under article 21 of this Constitution; but any custom, practice, usage or tradition relating to a traditional leader or cultural leader which detracts from the rights of any person as guaranteed by this Constitution, shall be taken to be prohibited under that article.
(5) For the avoidance of doubt, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall be taken to exist in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
(6) For the purposes of this article, “traditional leader or cultural leader” means a king or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader.
Article 3 - Declaration of the Kingdom
i. The practical aims of this Constitution include the enumeration and documentation, in terms and in usage that every person can understand, of those cultural protections and freedoms to which persons and communities in Busongora Kingdom are entitled.
ii. The Kingdom of Busongora always was, and shall be, a Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy in which supreme power is held by the people through their elected representatives in the Busongora community’s Legislative Parliamentary Assembly that shall be known as the Muhabuzi. The parliament as the true sovereign of the people must ensure and guarantee political control over the executive and administrative institutions of the Kingdom, in order to assure that the will of the people is executed faithfully, and in accordance with the ideals of Pan Africanism. The Muhabuzi has to decide on the control and allocation of resources, and to ensure that the executive organs of the Kingdom, and fulfill only their intended purposes for the benefit of the people.
iii. This Constitution is based on recognition of the indissoluble unity of humanity; on recognition of the right to autonomy of the nationalities and communities which make up the planet and the solidarity among all of them; on the need to protect Busongora - the common and indivisible homeland of all Basongora; on the supremacy of parliamentary law in the conduct of all administrative bodies and at all levels of society; on the respect for electoral due-process for the purpose of fair and equitable representation; on the respect for equal rights for all persons and the common rights of all living things; and on the responsibility to protect and improve the Earth's natural biosphere and life-support systems.
iiii. This constitution is a testament and tribute to the ever growing rights and entitlements, which are the legacies of generations of human struggle and accomplishment, in the attempt to preserve and enhance the value, quality and abundance of life.
v. The enumeration in this Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage or trivialize any other rights retained by the people. Any remedy, or claim of right, or entitlement to compassion, dignity, truth, love, care, and safety, that would have been available to persons or groups "ab initio" [from the beginning] and from ancient times, as well as from other national, regional or international authorities, shall still be available to all concerned under this constitution.
vi. The Kingdom of Busongora, shall also be known variously as the Cwezi Kingdom, and as the Cultural Institution of Busongora, and shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and powers to sue and be sued in its own corporate name and shall own property and dispose of it.
Article 4 - Official Language and Script of Busongora
i. All Basongora have the duty to know the language and have the right to use it. The richness of the linguistic modalities of the RuSongora language is a cultural heritage which shall be the object of special respect and protection.
ii. The official language of the Constitution of Busongora, and for the conduct of proceedings of Muhabuzi - the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly of Busongora Kingdom - shall be RuSongora. However, for purposes of ease and clarity and for translation, the wording of official documents shall, as occasion requires, be quoted in other languages.
iii. The standard orthography of the Rusongora language shall be regulated and administered by the Busongora Academy. The Academy shall be responsible for publication of the official dictionary of the Rusongora language, and for publication of the official history of the kingdom.
iiii. The official script of the Kingdom shall be modified and improved upon for ease of use, as need arises, in order to conform with improved technological and aesthetic requirements. The orthography of the Rusongora script shall be regulated by the Busongora Academy.
v. All proceedings and discussions of Muhabuzi, every Bill (including the memorandum accompanying a Bill), every Act of Muhabuzi whenever enacted, all other actual or proposed legislation, all financial resolutions and documents relating thereto, and every actual or proposed amendment of any of the foregoing, shall be conducted and written in Rusongora. The wording shall, as occasion requires, be quoted in other languages.
Article 5 - Emblems and Anthems
i. There shall at all times be designated one Regnant Drum of Busongora. It shall have a name distinct from other extant, lesser or past Royal Drums. At the time of enacting and publishing this update of the Busongora Constitution, the regnant Drum is named "Eganzi ya'Iguru n'Ensi", and its companion is named “Ntaanda”, after the star Sirius. “Enganzi” has replaced ""Bakyengana" that was the regnant Drum between July 1, 2012 and July 27, 2012. The Royal Drum "Bakyengana" had replaced the ancient Sacred Drum "E'Nte n'Aba'Shaijha" that was regnant prior to the start of the colonial occupation in 1907 and which was presumed destroyed during the colonial occupation. The Drum “E’Nte n’Aba’Shaijha” had replaced the Drums “Mugonzi” and “Murorwa” that were regnant prior to 1735. The name of the royal drum of Busongora in the 11th century and prior was called “Kashaija”.
ii. The Royal Drums of Busongora shall conventionally reside at a location separate from the either the official residence of the Monarch or the kingdom’s parliament. Tradition requires that there must always be a river between the main residence of the Monarch and the residence of the Drum.
iii. Upon the loss or destruction of a Royal Drum, another drum shall be selected and installed at a special investiture ceremony. The new drum shall be given its own new name. No drum may be called by the name of any other drum.
iiii. The designated royal throne of Busongora shall be known as “e’Nyangye”, translated as the “Egret Throne”. The throne shall be represented by the seat or chair when the monarch sits upon it.
v. The flag of Busongora shall be the “Kogyere Bandera” and shall be constituted by the “Kogyere Maure” charge, centred [Medial], on white [argent] ground”. The Kogyere Maure charge itself is “a Huma woman’s head, sable [black], in profile” representing Kogyere I Rusija-Miryango the founder of Busongora Kingdom. On a lateral flag the Charge [maure] shall face the flag staff, and shall be centred. On a vertical [upright] flag, the charge [maure] shall face either left or right, with the hoist lying horizontal above the charge. The distance from the front of Kogyere’s face to the left edge of the flag - from the spectator's point of view - shall be equal to the height of the charge [Kogyere’s head]. The charge should be centred, so that distance from the back of Kogyere’s head to the right edge shall be the same as the distance from the front of face to the left edge; the top hoist shall be the same distance from the top of Kogyere’s head as the distance to the bottom of the flag from the base of the charge.
vi. The Busongora anthem shall be “Busongora Okashemera” rendered in Rusongora. The kingdom March shall be the composition entitled “Emanzi za Busongora”.
vii. The motto on the Coat of Arms of Busongora shall be "Okashemera" -translating as "Enduring Nobility and Beauty" or "Let not beauty and goodness perish", and referring to the beauty of God. The Coat of Arms shall also include in it reference to the ancient text of “Psalm 23”.
viii. The Busongora Court of Arms and official seals shall have on them representations of any or all of the following: the Kogyere maure on a white shield, a long-horn Shongora female cow, a Songora man properly dressed, Mount-Rwenjura [the Mountains of the Moon], enanga-zither, omweso-chessboard, milkpot, ekichunga furnace, honeybee or honey comb, the dung beetle, "Amaizi agakutemba" [flowing water], "eNyangye" [The Egret], "eshando" [the Y-shaped staff], Hematite [obutare], the constellation Orion, "ekifunjo" [papyrus], and "enkukuru" [candelabra euphorbia].
viiii. The members of Muhabuzi, and members of the Shoganisa council, the baNyenyezi and baNyenyezikati, as well as other high officers of the kingdom of Busongora shall wear, during all official functions, the traditional Shongora attire - emyenagiro, kwetwendekyerra - along with the requisite rods [sing. "omwigo"] for men. Only traditional attire shall be permissible during sessions of parliament or on official functions.
CHAPTER 2: The Competencies of the Kingdom
Article 6 - Formulation of Competencies of the Kingdom
i. Without prejudice to the competences which the municipal, state, regional and international authorities may assume, the Kingdom of Busongora shall consider the service of culture a duty and essential attribute and shall facilitate cultural communication and relations among all nations and peoples in cultural matters of common interest.
ii. The Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi, in matters within the competence of the Cultural Institution, may adopt for itself legislative norms within the framework of the principles, bases, and directives established by a state law or by international law.
iii. Statutory regulations in force within the Kingdom shall not be applicable if such application is in conflict with provisions of state laws or international treaties that are binding on all persons or are beneficial to the communities of Basongora in Busongora or elsewhere.
iiii. The matters not attributed expressly to - or assumed by - the Kingdom of Busongora and its indigenous communities and institutions by virtue of this constitution or relevant treaties and established custom, shall belong to the states of Uganda and Congo, or to municipal, regional and international authorities by their respective statutes and laws. The By-Laws of the Kingdom shall in every case be supplementary to the law of the states of Uganda and Congo, the African Union, and to applicable international laws.
Article 7 - Implementation of General Competencies of the Kingdom
i. The kingdom shall promote activities in matters of environmental protection, and culturally-determined systems of production, and sustainable economic development in Busongora, with due consideration for the objectives designated by the concerned municipal, state and international authorities.
ii. Without prejudice to the proper competence of the states of Uganda and Congo, or to other international authorities such as the AU or the UN, the kingdom of Busongora shall have responsibility to protect, preserve, restore, and enrich the historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of the peoples of Busongora, including such things as heritage sites and official installations, monuments, museums, libraries, archives and conservatories of interest to the Basongora community, and shall endeavour to promote and co-ordinate cultural, linguistic, artistic, historical, scientific and technical research.
iiii. The kingdom authorities shall have the duty to offer constructive advice on statutory and civil legislation of special rights or cultural rights, which may include: measures that concern cultural and social norms unique to the communities of the Basongora, including basic norms of social communication, and civil-legal relations having to do with cultural issues such as matrimony, rites-of-passage, community registers, contractual obligations, etc.
vi. The Kingdom shall promote favorable conditions for social and economic progress, stability and sustainability, and for a more equitable distribution of regional and personal income, within the framework of policies of the State, regional and International authorities, aimed at realizing such things as full employment, cultural tourism, farming, fishing and herding.
vii. The Kingdom shall endeavour to maintain a complementary public system of social security for all citizens which will provide affordable or free social assistance and services in times of need, and shall help to promote professional training, promote work-safety and hygiene, encourage rest and exercise for labourers, and establish suitable social and cultural centres.
viii. Without prejudice to the proper competence of the municipal, state, regional or international authorities, the kingdom shall endeavour to safeguard the economic, cultural and social rights of Basongora who live outside of Busongora, and orient its policy toward their return home, or if they are unable to return, it shall facilitate their constructive participation in the life of Busongora from wherever they are resident in other parts of the world.
viiii. Without prejudice to the proper competence of the municipal, state, regional or international authorities, the kingdom shall work to promote the rational use of all natural resources for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of life and protecting and restoring the environment and biodiversity in Busongora.
x. The kingdom shall promote the conditions for the free and effective participation by the all the people in social, economic and cultural development, and will promote the community's participation in the increased values generated by activities of the Kingdom's institutions and projects.
xi. The kingdom shall foster support for public health education, physical education, and sports, for the benefit of and preservation of the people of Busongora and their cultural identity. It shall facilitate adequate utilization of leisure, and access to culture and the arts and sciences, and especially those skills that are of specific concern to Basongora due to their unique historical, genetic, biological and cultural needs.
xii. The kingdom shall assist municipal and state and international authorities in promoting the cultural policies necessary secure decent and adequate living conditions for everyone, including improved animal grazing and land use methods in accordance with the general interest, in order to prevent wastage, speculation and other land-related crimes and conflict.
xiii. The kingdom shall promote a policy of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and integration in order to assist those who are physically, sensorially, or mentally impaired, and endeavour to provide access to cultural and social services to the persons suffering special disabilities and impairment.
xiiii. The kingdom shall promote the welfare of seniors through the establishment of a system of social services which shall address the concerns of seniors relating to specific problems of culture, and access to health, housing, and education.
xvi. The kingdom shall promote the legitimate cultural interests of the people of Busongora through effective procedures, including such things as providing the public information and education, fostering cultural activities and organizations, as well as promoting fair trade and proper regulation and licensing of cultural products.
CHAPTER 3: The Muhabuzi - Legislative Parliamentary Assembly
Article 8 - Muhabuzi - Legislative Parliamentary Assembly of Busongora Kingdom
i. The legislative parliamentary assembly of the Kingdom of Busongora shall be known formally as "Muhabuzi".
ii. The Muhabuzi shall make all rules which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution all Powers vested by this Constitution in the Cultural Institution and Kingdom of Busongora, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
iii. The Muhabuzi shall be bicameral and shall consist of a maximum of One Hundred and Eighty members [180]. The seats in both chambers shall be equal.
iiii. The Legislative Parliamentary Assembly of the Kingdom shall consist of Deputies elected or selected within the territorial area of Busongora and among Basongora living outside Busongora.
v. The Lower House of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi shall, whenever possible, be elected by universal suffrage in accordance with a system of proportional representation, which assures, moreover, the representation of the culture and heritage of Busongora, and the representation of the various clans and areas of the territory of Busongora. The deputies in the Upper House shall be elected, selected or appointed by the clans and the clan leaders.
vi. The membership of the Muhabuzi shall be constituted by the following officers:
[i] Prime Minister
[ii] Deputy Prime Ministers
[iii] Speaker
[iiii] Deputy Speaker
[v] Chairs of Committees
[vi] Cabinet Ministers
[vii] Delegates of Basongora Clans
[viii] Delegates of Busongora Regions
[viiii] Delegates of the Busongora Diaspora
[x] Nominated Community Elders
[xi] Honorary Members and Observers without voting rights
vii. The duration of the each term of parliament shall be three [3] years. Elections of members of Muhabuzi shall be by secret ballot, on regularly fixed dates for elections every three [3] years.
viii. Muhabuzi shall sit for a minimum of 2 Ordinary Sessions per year. The City of Kasese shall be the ordinary seat of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly - Muhabuzi. The Muhabuzi may, from time to time, at its discretion, convene its sessions in any other location. The decision to convene a session outside of Busongora shall require a 2/3 majority vote of all its members, or a decision by the Monarch.
viiii. The members of the Muhabuzi shall be elected by Proportional Representation within the limits to be laid down by an Act of Muhabuzi and/or by a Decree of the Monarch of Busongora.
x. The members shall be elected directly by members of the communities of Basongora everywhere, and by members of communities of non-Basongora residing in Busongora who have attained the age of eighteen.
xi. The following persons shall not be entitled to vote or serve as a member of Muhabuzi:
[a] anyone who has been deemed legally incompetent by judgement of a competent court, or who has committed an offence designated by an Act of Muhabuzi, and has been simultaneously disqualified from voting;
[b] anyone who does not believe in Busongora Kingdom’s right to exist, or who doesn’t believe that the Basongora constitute a distinct cultural and indigenous community with all the rights and entitlements due to all other cultural institutions; and anyone that holds views inconsistent with the historical record, or integrity, or existence of the Basongora as a cultural community or as individuals.
[c] anyone who holds, promotes, advocates or accepts genocidal ideas.
Article 9 - Parliamentary Privileges of Members of Muhabuzi
i. The parliamentary assembly is inviolable.
ii. Each Member of Muhabuzi shall be entitled to introduce private members' bills, motions or draft resolutions that will be voted on during the parliamentary year.
iii. Vetting of legislation to determine constitutionality and procedural fairness, shall be done by a statutory parliamentary committee.
iiii. Muhabuzi may not Convoke outside Busongora without 2/3 majority consent.
v. Muhabuzi may not be Prorogued, Adjourned or Suspended without 2/3 majority consent of all members of the Muhabuzi.
vi. Rules that embody fundamental principles of parliamentary law and supremacy cannot be suspended, even by consent of an actual unanimous vote. The basic laws preserving the rights of Muhabuzi shall limit the object and scope of all other legislation and the principles and criteria which must be followed in its exercise. In no case shall any procedures or laws or decrees of any kind authorize the weakening, disparaging or subversion of the laws preserving the rights, privileges and immunities of Muhabuzi within Busongora Kingdom.
vii. Constitutional Amendments shall require 75% majority vote in Muhabuzi, Common Laws shall require at least 50% majority vote of all members.
viii. Plenary sessions of the House shall be public except when there is a resolution against it in House. The sittings shall be held in camera if one-tenth of the members present so require or if the Prime Minister considers it necessary.
viiii. During a plenary session, any member of the Muhabuzi may at any time require debate and voting on any bill or proposal of law.
x. If quorum is not present, debate shall be suspended. The only business allowed without quorum is to recess, or summon absent members, or compel their attendance.
xi. All meetings of Muhabuzi or its committees shall be conducted in accordance with parliamentary procedures as outlined by “Robert’s Rules of Order”.
xii. The vote of the Deputies is personal and cannot be delegated.
xiii. The Muhabuzi shall have the Power to discipline its members. If a member of the House is in breach of the rules s/he can be suspended or expelled from the House. Such breaches may included giving false evidence before a committee of the House and taking bribes. The rights and privileges of members of parliament are overseen by the "Committee on Standards and Privileges".
xiiii. All persons shall have the right to personal and collective petition, in writing. Petitions may be made to the Muhabuzi directly.
xvi. The Muhabuzi may meet in Extra-Ordinary Sessions at the request of 1/10 of the members, or at the request of the Monarch or the Prime Minister. The extraordinary sessions must be convoked with a specific agenda and shall be closed once it has been dealt with.
xvii. A statement of the policy to be pursued by the Kingdom shall be given by, or on behalf of the Monarch, before a session of Muhabuzi that shall be held every year on the first Saturday of July or on such date as may be prescribed by Act of Muhabuzi. The speech shall have been crafted jointly by all the parties in parliament, and shall in effect be a joint statement.
xviii. The House may deliberate or take decisions, only if more than half of the members are present. Decisions shall be taken by majority.
xviiii. The members shall not be bound by a mandate or instructions when casting their votes.
xx. Voting on items of business not relating to individuals shall be oral and by roll call if requested by one member.
xxi. Every Bill which shall have passed in the House, shall, before it become law, be presented to the Monarch; If s/he approve s/he shall sign it to ratify it, but if not s/he shall return it, with Objections, to House who shall reconsider it. The Omukama/Kandake may only object if s/he believes the bill undermines the integrity and supremacy of Muhabuzi, endangers electoral due-process, or violates the rights and entitlements of Basongora. If after the monarch returns it to parliament it is reconsidered by the House so that two-thirds of the House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall become a Law.
xxii. If any Bill shall not be returned by the Monarch within thirty Days after it shall have been presented to him/her, the Same shall be a Law, unless the Muhabuzi by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
xxiii. A Bill shall become an Act of Muhabuzi once it has been passed by the Muhabuzi and ratified by the Monarch.
xxiiii. Acts of Muhabuzi shall not enter into force before they have been published in the official gazette of the Kingdom.
xxv. The official gazette of the Kingdom of Busongora, as well as other official publications of the kingdom, shall be published by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, or by another officer authorized by the Council of Ministers [Cabinet].
Article 10 - Conduct of Parliament
i. Parliament shall be constituted by Committees of four kinds: Standing Committees, Ad hoc Committees, and Special Committees, as well as an Executive Committee to be known as the Council of Ministers or Cabinet and headed by the Prime Minister. The parliament shall distribute all deputies into committees, assigning responsibility for each community and region, as well as according to all substantive policies and issues of concern to the public.
ii. Muhabuzi sessions shall be presided over by the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers elected by the House, who will exercise administrative and police authority in the interior of the House.
iii. The Prime Minister shall chair the plenary sessions of parliament only nominally, and only during the opening or closing of parliamentary Sessions. Effective management of parliamentary business shall be carried out by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
iiii. No law varying the privileges and immunities of the Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
v. No law varying the compensation for the services of the Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
vi. Principles Governing Procedure in Parliamentary Decision-Making shall include the following considerations:
[a] The Parliament or parliamentary committee must have the authority to take the actions it intends to take.
[b] There must be a meeting of the Parliament or Parliamentary Committee before a decision is made.
[c] Proper notice of the meeting must be given to all members of the parliament or all members of the committee concerned.
[d] There must be a quorum present at the start, during, and the end of the meeting.
[e] There must be a question before the parliament or parliamentary committee upon which it can make a decision.
[f] There must be an opportunity to debate the question.
[g] There must be a majority vote to take an action or decide a question.
[h] There must be no fraud or deception resulting in injury to another member.
vii. In order to be valid, any action or decision of the parliament or of a committee must not violate any applicable law or constitutional provision. Parliament, if it wishes to make a decision that conflicts with the provisions of the existing Constitution, must first properly, with all due process, pass legislation amending the constitution.
viii. Laws and rules have to be structured so that there is no theoretical erosion of parliamentary supremacy, and the laws must allow Parliament sufficient room for manoeuvre should it wish to withdraw from the commitments it has made or repeal any of the constraints it has imposed on its ability to legislate.
viiii. Laws and rules must not contradict each other or undermine one another, but should be applicable in ways that complement and improve justice and fairness. Parliament must not create laws that result in disproportionate, unfair or unequal outcomes for persons under similar conditions.
x. Laws have to be structured so that they do not result in, or cause, the denial of the rights and constitutionally guaranteed rights and entitlements of a person or class of persons.
Article 11 - Budget Process, Money Bills & Fiscal Management
i. The Busongora Kingdom authorities may only contract financial obligations and incur expenditures in accordance with the laws of Uganda, the African Union or the United Nations. A money bill may be introduced only by the Cabinet of the Kingdom.
ii. A money bill means a bill dealing with all or any of the following matters, viz. the imposition, repeal, reduction, alteration, modification, remission or regulation of rents, taxes, duties, tolls, revenues, the allocation, receipt, custody, payment, transfer or establishment of any charge on Kingdom funds, the reduction of Kingdom revenues, the raising of loans, or guarantee or redemption of loans, or a currency bill.
iii. In case of doubt as to whether a bill introduced by members of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly is a money bill, it shall be the power of the Busongora kingdom’s Finance Minister to make a decision thereon. The balance sheet approved by the Kingdom's Minister Finance shall be presented to the Muhabuzi.
iiii. It is incumbent upon the Cabinet to prepare the General Budgets of the Kingdom and upon the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi to examine, amend, and approve them.
v. The General Budgets of the Kingdom shall be of an annual character and shall include the totality of expenditures and revenues of the Kingdom.
vi. The Cabinet must present to the Muhabuzi the General Budgets of the Kingdom at least three months before the expiration of those of the previous year.
vii. If the Budget Law is not approved before the first day of the corresponding fiscal year, the Budgets of the previous fiscal year will automatically be considered extended until the approval of the new ones.
viii. Once the General Budgets of the Kingdom have been approved, the Cabinet may present bills which imply increases and decreases in public expenditure or in revenues corresponding to the same budget year.
viiii. Every proposition or amendment which involves an increase in credits or a decrease in budget revenues shall require the agreement of the Cabinet before its transmission to Parliament.
x. The Kingdom of Busongora shall seek to mediate and modify substantive monetary or financial laws if the concerned municipal, state and international authorities so provide.
xi. The Receiver General for Busongora shall be responsible for making payments to Busongora Kingdom each fiscal year, accepting payments from financial institutions and from the public, and preparing the Public Accounts of Busongora, containing annual audited financial statements of the executive branch of Busongora Kingdom.
xii. The Minister of Finance shall be the Receiver General for Busongora Kingdom, and shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties and functions assigned to the Receiver General. The Receiver General shall deposit and withdraw funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Busongora and from the Busongora Land Board and Trust Fund, and from any and all other accounts belonging to the Kingdom.
CHAPTER 4: The Monarchy of Busongora
Article 12 - Constitutional Monarchy
i. Seeking to ensure stability and continuity of presence of the Kingdom and its institutions, by the creation of a benign, benevolent and unifying cultural institution which is insulated from the instability and the vagaries of partisan electoral and parliamentary competition, and from the need for political and financial security, there is hereby established the office of Monarch of Busongora.
ii. The Monarch of Busongora Kingdom shall enjoy all the titles, dignities and pre-eminence that attend to the office under the law and custom of Busongora, and shall be styled "Omukama" if it is a male, or "Kandake" if female. The Term of Office of the Monarch shall be "For Life" and shall start immediately upon the Monarch-designate swearing the Oath of Office in the presence of the members Council of Accession at a properly constituted ceremony.
iii. The Monarch shall be the cultural leader of Busongora, and also the ceremonial and non-executive head of the Kingdom of Busongora. There shall only be one Monarch in office at all times. If female the monarch shall be the Queen Regnant and shall be styled “Kandake”; if male the monarch shall be the King Regnant and shall be styled “Mukama”.
iiii. The Monarch and all other titled royal or noble officials of the kingdom shall perform all those supervisory and administrative duties and obligations, which are, respectively, the conventional responsibilities of a Monarch and community leader.
v. The Monarch shall arbitrate and moderate the regular functioning of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi; shall assume the highest representation of the Kingdom in national and international relations; and shall exercise the functions expressly attributed to the office by all applicable laws of state, regional and international authorities.
vi. The person of the Monarch is inviolable and is not subject to responsibility. The Monarch shall be exempt from law suits or responsibility for the kingdom’s decisions or actions. The Acts of the Monarch shall lack validity without the countersignature of a relevant kingdom government functionary or other competent official, except in the cases of Emergency Decrees or Royal Decrees. The persons who countersign the acts of Omukama/Kandake shall be responsible for them.
vii. Once an ordinary bill has been approved by the Deputies of the Muhabuzi, the Prime Minister shall immediately notify the Monarch, stating whether or not it accepts them by a simple majority. The Monarch shall determine if proper procedure has been followed in the drafting, debate and vote process, and upon satisfaction of due process, shall then sign it into law. The Monarch shall sign, together with one or more responsible Ministers or kingdom functionaries who shall countersign, the statutes, laws or resolutions approved by the kingdom parliament and cabinet within the period of fifteen days and shall promulgate them and order their immediate publication.
viii. The exercise of the office of the Monarch shall be incompatible with the exercise of any office of profit or of political representation or any office in any professional capacity or in labour organization or in any professional activity or in any other form of public employment. The Monarch shall not accept any other office, additional employment, work appointment or government assignment, but must only serve as Monarch of Busongora. If compelled to hold offices or perform work outside the office of Monarch, the Monarch shall vacate the position of Monarch and resign or retire.
viiii. The Monarch may not travel outside Busongora on official or unofficial business, without the permission of the Cabinet. Permission to travel or live outside Busongora shall be granted by a simple majority vote of the Cabinet. The cabinet shall not grant a reigning Monarch permission to stay away from Busongora for more than 60 consecutive days, unless a Monarch-Regent is appointed to serve for the duration of the proposed absence.
x. If the Monarch is missing from the Kingdom for a period of more than 60 consecutive days, the office shall be demeed vacant and the Monarch shall be deemed to have retired from office, and another person who can perform the functions of office inside Busongora shall be appointed by the Council of Accession to serve as Monarch-Regent with full powers, for the duration of the emergency or for a period of not more than 365 days.
xi. If the Monarch is frequently present in Busongora but is clearly unable, for reasons of health, poor conduct, or incapacity, to perform the functions of the office for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, the office shall be declared vacant by resolution of the Council of Accession, and the Monarch shall be deemed to have retired from office, and another person who can perform the functions of office inside Busongora shall be appointed by the Council of Accession to serve as Monarch-Regent with full powers, for the duration of the emergency or for a period of not more than 365 days.
xii. If the Monarch is deemed to have become incapacited, by reason of poor health or on account of some other reason, and is unable to perform the duties of the office of Monarch, a new Monarch or a Monarch-Regent shall be appointed as soon as possible following the occurrence of that emergency, and shall be appointed by members of the Council of Accession in the manner consistent with the Rules of Succession, or in a manner consistent with the Rules of Royal Prerogative and Regency stipulated by this Constitution.
xiii. Upon recovery from incapacity or emergency within the period of 365 days of a regency’s administration, the old Monarch may - with permission of the Council of Accession - resume the office and title, and the Monarch-Regent shall vacate the office of Monarch and retire honourably. If the emergency lasts more than 365 days, the Monarch-Regent shall be deemed confirmed in office and the old Monarch shall be deemed to have retired or resigned from the office of Monarch.
xiiii. The Monarch or a titled royal or noble or official of the Kingdom may be removed from office temporarily, conditionally, or indefinitely, and prohibited from taking part in the administration, management or control of the kingdom, if that Monarch or other official in question has done harm to the reputation of the Kingdom, or has failed to carry out assignments or to follow the provisions of the Kingdom’s Constitution, or has abused their office or powers in order to take advantage of the kindgom for personal advantage. Conflict of interest, negligent or willful violation of the Oaths of Office, conduct that brings the office of Monarch or any institution of the kingdom into hatred, ridicule, contempt or disrepute, inability to discharge the functions of office, and acting in a manner that is prejudicial to the legitimate interests of the Kingdom, shall all singly or collectively constitute sufficient grounds for the removal of the Monarch or any other official from office.
xv. The office of Monarch is dependent on the confidence of the Council of Accession. The Monarch may abdicate, retire or resign, or may be removed from by a no-confidence vote following a resolution of the members of the Council of Accession. All motions of No-Confidence against a serving Monarch shall be Constructive, in that the resolution shall always include the names of the person proposed as replacement for Monarch. The Monarch may not be removed from office in any other way, except where the office of monarch is deemed vacant by reason of domancy or absence or incapacity of the Monarch.
xvi. A serving Monarch shall receive annual payments according to rules to be laid down from time to time by the Cabinet or by an Act of Muhabuzi. The Act shall regulate the payments and shall also specify which other members of the Royal Household shall receive payments. The Monarch and other ranking royals and nobles shall also be entitled to receive such assets, titles, privileges and immunities as are of assistance to them in the exercise of their formal duties.
xvii. Upon honourable retirement from office, and regardless of the duration of their past service in office, a former Monarch is entitled to a pension, and all the dignities, honours, services and immunities due to the office of Monarch, as long as s/he does not take up or seek elective office or bring ill repute on the kingdom. If a former monarch chooses elective offices, or engages in disreputable or divisive conduct, the Muhabuzi retains the right to revoke all rights and privileges and entitlements due to the former Monarch. A former Monarch shall be entitled during their period of retirement to serve as patron of public projects of his or her own choosing, or to do other civic or international assignments at the request of the Kingdom. A retired Monarch shall be designated “Omujwera” in Rusongora, or “Queen Dowager” if female, or “Grand Duke” if male.
Article 13 - Functions of the Monarch
i. The primary function of the Monarch is to foster, nurture and promote community identity, unity and pride, and also to promote constructive values such as respect for diversity and public education. The Monarch shall also have the duty to safeguard and promote the indigenous culture of Busongora, as well as providing assistance and facilities to organizations that want to be of service to the community.
ii. The Monarch shall have the duty to create and maintain the kingdom’s capacity to provide immediate and essential relief for victims of natural or man-made disasters, and to provide for orphans and widows - including the distribution of cows and grain and fruit and water to needy Basongora - as well as provide visitation and counseling and comfort and encouragement to sick or distraught community members, attend community functions such as marriages, graduations and award ceremonies, mediating conflict between community members, providing references and recommendations for community members, organizing scholarships and constructive employment for community members, and maintaining a positive media presence for the Monarchy and the other institutions of the kingdom.
iii. It is incumbent upon the Monarch to perform daily, and at the required times during the year, those traditional rites and cultural ceremonies that are necessary to accomplish and fulfill the functions of the office - such as blessing children and newly weds - as well as to execute those duties necessitated by Royal Prerogative, including providing advice to kingdom officials, and ratifying resolutions passed by the Muhabuzi.
iiii. It is incumbent for the Monarch to maintain palaces, for the purpose of serving as meeting places for community members, for frequently hosting guests and receiving petitioners, as well as for hosting community functions.
v. The Monarch shall be entitled in the exercise of ceremonial functions, to address the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi at the Opening of each term of Muhabuzi and at the opening and closing of each Session. It is incumbent on the Monarch, after authorization by the parliament where necessary, to express the consent and obligation of the kingdom to adhere to all applicable municipal, state and regional and international laws, treaties and conventions, in all matters of concern to the public, in conformity with this Constitution.
vi. The Monarch may only enter the precinct of Muhabuzi to officiate at the opening and closing of the parliamentary session, or at the invitation of the Muhabuzi to answer questions, to read out a statement, make a throne speech, or arbitrate and hear grievances and receive petitions by members of the Muhabuzi or members of the public. The Monarch shall not be entitled to attend all other meetings of the Assembly, nor shall the Monarch take part in proceedings thereof, nor vote on any question before the Muhabuzi.
vii. The Monarch shall sponsor and oversee special schools, endowments and academies whose principle task shall be to train officials in the protocols and disciplines of Busongora’s indigenous cultural arts, history, Thought, spiritualism, medicine and scientific knowledge, languages, diplomatic etiquette, and social responsibility. The Monarch shall also sponsor the study of these arts and disciplines for the purpose of their refinement and improvement.
viii. The Office of Omukama/Kandake shall serve as a nominal Commander-in-Chief of Busongora's Ceremonial Guards, and as high patron of the Busongora Academy, and as high patron of Busongora's cultural, professional or social clubs, unions or guilds. The mandate of the Monarch shall include the preservation of the language and essential Songora culture and History; the management and preservation of historical monuments, archives, libraries, museums and galleries, and such other cultural or educational institutions as the Muhabuzi shall delegate to her purview; as well as patronage of charities and other worthy causes and benefits.
viiii. The Monarch shall, with the advice and consent of Busongora Kingdom’s Legislative Assembly “Muhabuzi”, sign into law all properly enacted legislation, except laws pertaining to the powers of the very office of Monarch, and shall promulgate all such laws, statutes and resolutions and decrees approved in the Council of Ministers. The actions of the Omukama/Kandake, excepting the opening and dissolution of Muhabuzi, shall be countersigned by the Prime Minister, and when appropriate, by the competent ministers in the kingdom’s Council of Ministers [cabinet]. The persons who countersign the acts of Omukama/Kandake shall be responsible for these acts.
x. The Monarch shall endeavour to preserve the integrity, supremacy and procedural due-process of parliament, and to ensure and secure continuity between parliaments; and shall formalize the convocation and dissolution of the Parliament and call elections of the parliament’s deputies under the terms provided for in the Constitution, and shall safeguard electoral due-process in all matters concerning the elections of Muhabuzi.
xi. The Monarch shall appoint or confirm in office and swear-in the Prime Minister of the kingdom, and shall solemnize or formalize the appointment of the ranking officials of the kingdom at the proposal of its Prime Minister; and shall preside over the inauguration of the members of Muhabuzi, and present ecclesiastical benefices; and shall oversee and receive oaths of fealty for and in the name of Busongora, from the public, from members of the Muhabuzi, and from other incumbents of high offices; and shall present the Kingdom’s office holders with the ritual symbols of their office.
xii. The Monarch shall confer high public offices and accredit delegates and other representatives, and confer civic and martial honours and awards and distinctions in accordance with the Kingdom’s laws, and shall issue rewards and pardons and formal reprimands pertaining to culture and customary matters in all matters.
xiii. The Monarch shall receive diplomatic representatives and other high officials and delegations, and to consider petitions from private persons and from groups, on behalf of the kingdom and the community.
xiiii. The responsibilities and duties of the Monarch in all matters concerning the Conduct of the parliament “Muhabuzi” shall be to:
xv. The Monarch shall not interfere in the business of the kingdom’s administration except during emergencies, crises, or parliamentary gridlock, and shall maintain at all times an attitude of non-partisanship, and shall refrain from any public party political comments, but when necessary shall mediate between contending political parties or factions represented in parliament of the Kingdom;
xvi. The Monarch shall appoint or assign persons or commissions, for the purpose of allowing or facilitating or expediting services to the community, where such action is of assistance and does not prejudice or infringe the jurisdiction of local, institutional, national, regional or international authorities.
xvii. The Monarch shall secure all of the copies of the treaties and laws relating to Busongora, archives and repositories of records, and appoint officials to assist the office of the of Monarch in this task.
xviii. In all matters pertaining to culture and customary laws of the Kingdom, the Monarch shall have express powers to seek the resolution of a complaint, in addition to, or instead of, conducting a formal investigation into the complaint.
xviiii. On the advice of the responsible committees and commissions of Muhabuzi, the Omukama/Kandake shall formally designate and confirm the officials of the following offices:
[a] Prime Minister, and the members of the Council of Ministers, and high officials of the Busongora Civil Service and Ceremonial Guards;
[b] Chief Electoral Commissioner and other commissioners to oversee elections of Members of Muhabuzi;
[c] Chief of Protocol and the curators and keepers of cultural monuments, museums and galleries;
[d] President of the Busongora Academy and the chancellors and other high officials that administer medals and honours and oversee Busongora's cultural and educational institutions;
[e] Governors of the kingdom’s administrative regions, and other high administrators of the Kingdom’s resources and economic assets;
[f] Clan and Family Heads and other leaders to oversee the regulation of social relations, rites, and cultural communities.
[xx] The Monarch shall receive on behalf of the people gifts meant for the Kingdom of Busongora. These gifts shall be deposited in the kingdom's archives or official galleries, or in other national and international institutions where possible, for the utilization and enjoyment of the public.
Article 14 - Appointment of the Monarch
i. If the office of Monarch becomes vacant by reason of the death or resignation or discharge or abandonment or work assignment that is incompatible with the office of Monarch of Busongora, or by reason of a Monarch's ceasing to hold office for any other reason, a new Monarch shall be appointed as soon as possible following the occurrence of that vacancy, and shall be appointed by members of the Council of Accession in the manner consistent with the Rules of Succession stipulated by this constitution.
ii. If the Council of Accession is unable to appoint a new Monarch immediately and while the Office of the Monarch remains vacant upon the retirement, resignation or demise of the past Monarch, the functions of the office of the Monarch shall be exercised by the Prince Regent / Princess Regent appointed by the Council of Accession - who shall serve as interim steward of the throne, with full title and privileges of the Monarch, until such a time that a new Monarch can be properly appointed according to the Rules of Succession.
iii. Only persons who are indigenous Basongora are eligible to serve as Monarch of Busongora Kingdom. For the purpose of ensuring orderly succession to the throne, the kingdom authorities shall maintain a list showing the kingdom’s Titled Royal and Non-Royal Nobles, clearly illustrating their Eligibility and Order of Precedence to succeed to the throne. This list shall also be beneficial for purposes of protocol in the awarding of honours at ordinary public and private functions. The list shall include honourably retired monarchs, princesses and princes, nobles, heads of clans and office bearers, as well as those notable persons who have received awards and recognition for their good service to the kingdom.
iiii. In the event that the reigning monarch vacates the throne on account of abdication or incapacitation or disappearance or demise, the Council if Accession [AbaShoganisa] shall be responsible for the election of a new monarch. Persons considered for succession by the Council of Accession [BaShoganisa] shall receive preference based on their Eligibility and Order of Precedence, with honourably retired Monarchs entitled to first consideration to succeed to the throne, followed by immediate descendants of the past Monarch, followed by the Titled Royal and Non-Royal Nobles, and those shall be followed for consideration by all other indigenous Basongora regardless of ancestry.
v. Upon a monarch’s vacation of the throne for any reason, the Council of Accession shall be charged and immediately seized with the task to deliberate and decide upon confirming one nominee to become the new monarch. The Council of Accession shall be constituted by designated titled royal and non-royal Basongora nobles or their representatives, and by elders and designated members of the community traditionally responsible and formally constituted for the purpose of investing the Monarchs of Busongora. If at least two-thirds of the Council’s votes cast are in favour of one nominee, that person shall be installed and shall accede as Monarch of Busongora, using the appropriate and required rites and ceremonies.
vi. The Council of Accession [abaShoganisa] shall have the solemn duty to designate the successor to the throne following the demise or abdication of a reigning monarch. Voting membership of the Council is constituted by persons who participated in the 12 May 2012 Accession event at Kabirizi on the Nyamugasani River, and served as advisors or ministers in good-standing with the Cultural Institution in the reign of King Rwigi IV. At the discretion of the members, additional persons may be invited to join the Council on account of having a record of honourable conduct and constructive service in the kingdom. Membership on the Council of Accession automatically entitles one to designation as a Prince or Princess of the Kingdom, with all the rights and privileges due to a member of the Royal Family.
vii. Because most Basongora descend from kings and queens, the claim to having royal blood is not sufficient to determine who should be chosen for the office of monarch. Throughout Busongora’s history persons were chosen to reign as king or queen on account of being “Emanzi” - being heroic - and for their good sense and service to the kingdom, for their kind manners, their cultural knowledge, and for their administrative skills. A person shall be qualified for selection by the Council of Accession, as Monarch of Busongora Kingdom if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he or she -
[a] is a Musongora by descent;
[b] has attained the age of 18 years;
[c] is of sound mind, upright moral character and good habits;
[d] has record of commitment and good service to the cultural institution;
[e] owns a herd of Huma cattle and has a home in Busongora
viii. Men and women have an equal right of succession to throne and nobility titles.
viiii. Immediately upon the retirement, resignation or demise of the past Monarch, or upon the throne being deemed to have been vacated or abandoned, the Council of Accesion shall convene and shall designate a suitable person to accede to the office of Monarch. Once a nominee has been confirmed to serve as the Monarch, she or he shall Accede to the throne by an act of formal announcement by the Chair of the Council of Accession in the presence of at least two other raking members at any convenient time and location, after which the new monarch shall be announced to the public and Invested as soon as possible at any convenient location.
x. Upon investment, the new Monarch shall take a formal ceremonial name symbolizing their vision of service in the Office. The regnal name chosen by the new king shall be an indigenous Rusongora name, or a name memorializing an event or personality of historical significance to Basongora. The new Monarch shall take an oath to defend the unity of Busongora and to protect the supremacy and privileges of a duly elected legislative parliamentary assembly Muhabuzi.
xi. If male the Monarch shall formally be styled "OmuKama" followed by his Regnal Name, and if female shall formally be styled "Kandake" followed by the Regnal Name. The title of “Kandake” is reserved for the Regnant Queen, whereas the Queen Consort shall be styled "Omugo". For example a male with the name 'Amani' would be styled "Omukama Amani", and if female she would be "Kandake Amani".
xii. A person assuming the office of Omukama/Kandake shall, before entering upon the office, take the Oath of Allegiance and such oath for the due execution of the office. Upon being Sworn-In the Monarch shall have assumed the Royal Prerogative, and shall be from that moment on the Mukama or the Kandake of Busongora.
xiii. Except in cases subject to any constitutional provision to the contrary, a Monarch shall hold office for life beginning from the date on which she or he is sworn in.
xiiii. The holding of the office of Monarch shall be incompatible with the holding of any office of profit or of political representation, or any office in any professional or labour organization or and with any professional activity or any other form of public employment.
xv. Following the Swearing-In and Investment, an Inauguration or Coronation ceremony may take place at the discretion of the Council of Accession, at a time of peace or when conditions allow, during which ceremony the new Monarch shall formally be introduced in the Parliament of Busongora Kingdom, and later on during the function at a location/s of cultural significance, and in the presence of the representatives of state and international authorities, as well as representatives of fraternal polities and communities. The Coronation ceremony shall be conducted by the most senior members of the Council of Accession of the Kingdom of Busongora, and shall be witnessed by the general public.
xvi. As part of the Inauguration process, the new Monarch shall make a tour of Busongora's monuments of cultural or historical significance. The extended tour shall be designed to display all of the virtue, decorum, accomplishments, mystery and grace of Busongora’s ancient and venerable traditions.
Article 15: Oath of Office of the Monarch
i. The Oath of Office of the Monarch during investiture shall be administered by the Chair of theCouncil of Accession and shall consist of the following words and passages:
"I [ceremonial name] do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a Musongora, and that I shall preserve sacred and inviolable the ancient landmarks of Busongora, which are here entrusted to my care. I shall support with becoming dignity Busongora's ancient rites and customs, and shall never deviate from the established usage, but rather shall endeavour to correct errors and abuses, and shall guard against a breach of fidelity. I promise to be true and faithful and to imitate the example of the celebrated and benevolent Monarchs of old.
I swear to be faithful to every trust and to lead by example, and always to recommend obedience, courtesy, affability and kindness, and to promote the tenets of duty and honor in service to the community. I shall dedicate my efforts to the well-being of the people of Busongora, to enhance their benefits, to avert harm from them, to uphold and defend the Constitution of Busongora and the statutes of Muhabuzi, and to fulfill my duties conscientiously, and do justice to all.
So help me God. Amen."
Article 16 - Royal Prerogative and Regency
i. The Royal Prerogative shall be defined as the residue of discretionary power left at any moment in the hands of the Monarch, and subject to the constitution or to convention. The Royal Prerogative shall be exercised by a person designated by the Council of Accession, specifically a Monarch or a Monarch-Regent. If it has been resolved that the reigning Monarch is unable to exercise the Royal Prerogative, and/or if the Monarch has temporarily relinquished the exercise of the Royal Prerogative, the Council of Accession shall appoint a Monarch-Regent to serve in the office of the Monarch with full powers, until the old Monarch is ready to resume office upon.
ii. If the Council of Ministers [Cabinet] is of the opinion that the Monarch is unable to consistently and justly exercise the Royal Prerogative on account of the Monarch's incapacity, illness, absence, remoteness, inconsistency, misconduct, or lack of interest, it shall inform the Council of Accession accordingly. The Council of Accession shall temporarily and conditionally suspend the Royal Prerogative of the reigning Monarch and shall appoint a Monarch-Regent who shall assume the Royal Prerogative and perform all the duties required of the Monarch for a period not exceeding 365 days. If during that period the suspended Monarch is unable to fullfil the conditions required by the Council of Accession, the Monarch-Regent if in office for more than 365 days shall be deemed to have assumed the throne permanently and shall be confirmed in office as Monarch for life.
iii. The Monarch may on his or her own initiative temporarily relinquish the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. A Monarch who has temporarily reliquinshed Royal Prerogative shall be said to be a Monarch-In-Repose. If a Monarch decides to temporarily relinquish Royal Prerogative, the proposal shall be presented by or on behalf of the Monarch, to the Council of Accession, and the Council shall thereafter appoint a Monarch-Regent who shall serve until the Monarch-In-Repose is able to resume the exercise thereof.
iiii. Subject to certain limitations specified by the Council of Accession, the Monarch-Regent shall exercise the full powers of the office of Monarch. This resolution shall be made public on the instructions of the Council of Accession and shall enter into force immediately.
v. The Monarch-Regent upon appointment shall exercise of Royal Prerogative for the duration of the emergency, and shall adopt Regnal names different from their common names.
vi. If the Monarch-In-Repose regains the ability to exercise the Royal Prerogative before 365 days have passed, notice of the fact shall be given by an Act of the Council of Accession, showing why the period of regency should end and that the Monarch-In-Repose is available to assume Royal Prerogative. The Monarch-In-Repose shall resume the exercise of the Royal Prerogative as soon as the Council of Accession has made public its resolution in favour of ending the regency, and the Monarch-Regent shall retire honourably.
Article 17 - Auxiliary Royal Offices
i. The Busongora Kingdom's list of Royal Offices shall consist of the following portfolios:
1. Omukama / Kandake - Regnant King / Regnant Queen
2. Nyina Omukama - Queen Mother/Dowager
3. Omugo - Consort of the Monarch
4. Rubuga/Batebe - Official Royal Sister
5. Nyakataraga - Official Royal Priestess
6. Munyenyezi - Prince
7. Munyenyezikati - Princess
8. Omugore - Retired Queen Regnant
9. Nyanjugu - Crown Prince/Princess
10. Omuragwangoma -Regent
11. Muk’Engoma - Ritual Wife of the King [If Queen Consort is not a Musongora]
12. Other ranking nobles designated by the Council of Accession
Article 18 - Council of Advisors [Abajwarakondo]
i. The Council of Advisors shall be constituted by persons appointed to serve as advisors to the Monarch and to other officials of the Kingdom. The members of the Council of Advisors shall be known as "Advisors" and shall be appointed by the Monarch for lifelong terms and may only be removed for cause by the Monarch following a motion of censure by the Muhabuzi or the Cabinet.
ii. The mandate of the Council of Advisors shall be to assist the Monarch and the Muhabuzi and other government leaders on matters requiring expertise, or regarding formal procedures and rules governing affairs of state, culture, diplomacy, science, language, research, art, spirituality, or on any other issue as may be beneficial.
iii. The Council of Advisors shall consist of a membership of eminent or accomplished persons from all fields and professions, and shall be supported by a section of the kingdom’s civil service with special training in African cultural protocol and etiquette.
iiii. The members of the Council of Advisors shall be entitled to certain privileges that facilitate their participation in events that promote unity, social and economic justice, culture, letters, and good government in Busongora.
v. The members of the Council of Advisers shall keep Parliament fully and regularly informed as to the practical implementation of their mandate, and shall be invited on occasion, or on their initiative, to appear at meetings of the Muhabuzi committees responsible, in order to make statements, answer questions or provide guidance on matters of concern.
CHAPTER 5: The Administration of Busongora Kingdom
Article 19 - Administration System
i. The Legislative Parliamentary Assembly [Muhabuzi], together with the Monarch of Busongora, shall collectively be 'The Sovereign-of-the-Community', delegating the community's collective powers to the offices, organs and institutions and branches of the kingdom’s administration. Responsibility for any of the business of the Kingdom, including the administration of any of the departments of Kingdom, may be assigned to the several Ministers as the Prime Minister may determine.
ii. The Parliament of Busongora Kingdom shall be Bicameral. The Upper House shall consist of the representatives of the BaSongora clans. The Lower House shall consist of members representing the regions and the general public within Busongora. The Council of the Ministers [Cabinet] shall be the executive committee of parliament and shall have the duty to function to oversee the proper execution of the orders and wishes of the Parliament and of the Monarch.
iii. Serving at the leisure of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly [Muhabuzi], the Prime Minister and Ministers shall together constitute the Council of the Ministers [Cabinet]. The Prime Minister shall be the Chair of the Cabinet and the Executive Head of the Kingdom’s Government. The Prime Minister of Busongora shall be responsible for the Ministers and all of their subordinate staffs and officials. The members of the government of the kingdom shall have different and separate but complementary roles.
iiii. No cabinet position can be created without explicit legislation by the Muhabuzi. Every portfolio must have a charter created by a Parliamentary Resolution, describing the domain, responsibilities and key operations of a specific cabinet portfolio. This procedure allows the Muhabuzi to manage the Cabinet and prevent the executive from usurping the powers and privileges of parliament.
v. The cabinet shall have the duty to function as a executive committee, to oversee the proper execution of the orders and wishes of the Muhabuzi, .
vi. The process of vetting legislation, and making sure that community by-laws, customs, and norms are responsible, shall be made by statutory parliamentary committees. The Cabinet shall consider and decide upon overall government policy and shall promote the coherence thereof.
vii. The laws previously in force in the ancient kingdom of Busongora - that is; the common law, customary laws, rules of equity, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary law (such as African clan-law) - shall be maintained, except for any that contravene the laws of Uganda and Congo, the laws of the African Union, or any other applicable regional or international conventions and treaties, and shall remain subject to any amendment by the Busongora Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi.
viii. Kingdom ministries shall be established by Royal Decree or by an Act of Parliament. They shall be headed by a Minister or Secretary. The Ministers, and not the Monarch, shall be responsible for Acts of government.
viiii. All Acts of Muhabuzi and Royal Decrees shall be signed by the King and by one or more Ministers or State Secretaries.
x. Upon accepting office Ministers and Secretaries shall immediately acknowledge their new responsibilities by paying homage and allegiance in customary form in respect of such offices, and shall swear an oath or make an affirmation and promise in the presence of the King and/or Prime Minister, that they have not done anything which may debar them from holding office, and shall also swear or promise allegiance to the Constitution and that they will faithfully discharge their duties.
xi. Ministers and Secretaries shall have the right to attend sittings of the Muhabuzi and may take part in the deliberations. They may be assisted at the sittings by persons nominated by them.
xii. There shall be an Attorney General for Busongora Kingdom who shall be the principle legal Advisor to the Kingdom's administration, and shall be entitled to appear on behalf of the Kingdom in all legal proceedings in which the Kingdom is party.
xiii. The Prime Minister, Ministers, Secretaries, and Civil Servants of the kingdom shall receive such salary, allowances and benefits as may be determined by a resolution of the Muhabuzi.
xiiii. Where a Prime Minister, Minister, Secretary or Civil Servant ceases to hold office, they shall be entitled to receive a pension, gratuity and other allowances together with such other honours, benefits and facilities, including adequate security, office, staff or travel allowances, as may be prescribed by or under an Act of Muhabuzi.
Article 20 - Prime Minister
i. After each renewal of the Legislative Parliamentary Assembly Muhabuzi and in the other cases provided for by the Constitution, in the event of gridlock or vacancy in the Office of Prime Minister, the Monarch shall, after consultation with the representatives designated by the political groups represented in parliament, propose a candidate for the Prime Minister of the kingdom.
ii. The proposed candidate, shall submit to the Muhabuzi the political program s/he intends to implement and shall seek the confidence of the Chamber. The Prime Minister shall then be democratically chosen from among nominees approved by the monarch, by a proportionally representative parliament to serve as the elected leader of the government.
iii. If the Muhabuzi, by an absolute majority of its members, grants its confidence to said candidate, the Monarch will formally appoint him Prime Minister and Busongora Kingdom's Head of Government. If absolute majority is not obtained, the same proposal shall be submitted to a new vote 24 hours after the former, and confidence shall be understood to have been granted if a simple majority is obtained.
iiii. If the parliament rejects all Prime Ministerial candidates and is unable or unwilling to give confidence to them, the Monarch shall appoint as Prime Minister any candidate of his/her choice from among the members of the Muhabuzi.
v. The Prime Minister and the other Ministers and State Secretaries shall be appointed and dismissed by Royal Decree.
vi. The Royal Decree appointing the Prime Minister shall be countersigned by the Speaker of Muhabuzi. Royal Decrees appointing or dismissing Ministers and State Secretaries shall be countersigned by the Prime Minister.
vii. The Prime Minister shall be the chair of the Council of State [Cabinet]. The Council of State shall have full and continuing responsibility for the management of government affairs within the limits of this constitution. The Head of Government [The Prime Minister] shall serve at the sufferance of parliament.
viii. The Prime Minister may be removed from office temporarily, conditionally, or indefinitely, and prohibited from taking part in the administration, management or control of the kingdom, if that Prime Minister has done harm to the reputation of the Kingdom, or has failed to carry out assignments or to follow the provisions of the Kingdom’s Constitution, or has abused their office or powers in order to take advantage of the kindgom for personal advantage or interest. The decision to remove the Prime Minister shall be made by resolution of the Muhabuzi following a constructive confidence vote.
viiii. If the Muhabuzi passes a no-confidence resolution, or rejects a confidence resolution against the Prime Minister, the Cabinet (Council of Ministers) shall resign en masse. Motions of No-Confidence against the Prime Minister shall be Constructive - Motions shall include the names of the person proposed as replacement for Prime Minister.
Article 21 - Structure of Council of Ministers [Cabinet]
i. The Busongora Kingdom's Council of Ministers [Cabinet] shall consist of the following portfolios:
1. Prime Minister [Omwinganiza]
2. Deputy Prime Minister
3. Attorney General / Justice & Human Rights / Legal Affairs [Omubangyizi]
4. Finance / Treasury Secretary / Receiver General [Kihimba]
5. Community Rights & Constitutional Affairs [Omugororozi]
6. Communications Policy, Media Relations & Information Services
7. Ethics and Integrity
8. Health and Social Welfare
9. Diaspora, Intergovernmental Affairs and International Relations
10. Education, Training & Professional Development
11. Seniors & war Veterans Affairs
12. Security & Public Safety [Omweganywa]
13. Fair Trade, Investment & Commerce
14. Lands & Housing Policy
15. Economic Planning & Infrastructure Development
16. Mediation Services, conflict Resolution & Civil Rights
17. Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Relief
18. survivors, IDP Resettlement & Integration
19. Inter-community Relations & Pan-African Affairs
20. Heritage & Cultural Affairs
21. Families & Gender
22. Youth Affairs, Sports & Recreation
23. Tourism, Parks & Wildlife
24. Environment & Consumer Protection
25. Energy Security, Industry, Water & Mineral Resources
26. Fisheries & Maritime Affairs
27. Agricultural Policy, Food Security, Animal Husbandry
28. Human Resources & Labour Relations
29. Transport, Infrastructure & Public Services [Head of Civil Service]
30. Local Government
31. Principal Private Secretary to the Omukama / Palace Affairs
32. Investment Policy and Corporate Affairs
33. Conflict Resolution & Mediation Services
34. Cabinet Secretary
35. Chief-of-Protocol
ii. The Council of Ministers [Cabinet] shall consist of the following committees:
[1] Treasury Board
[2] Priorities and Planning Committee
[3] Resources & Community Services
[4] Security & Public Safety Committee
[5] Legislative & Policy Committee
iii. The number and the designation of the members of the Cabinet other than the Omwinganiza, the Omuramuzi, and the Kihimba may be varied from time to time by resolution of the Muhabuzi. The number and composition of Cabinet Committees may be varied from time to time by resolution of the Muhabuzi.
iiii. The function of the Cabinet shall be to aid and advise the Prime Minister and the Monarch, and to execute the will of the Muhabuzi. The Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to the Muhabuzi for all things done by or under the authority of the Prime Minister resident or any other Minister in the execution of their office.
v. If in the opinion of the Omwinganiza any Cabinet Minister or State Secretary has failed to carry out the policy or decisions of the Ministry either persistently or in respect to an important matter, s/he may propose that the Minister/Secretary should be censured, suspended or dismissed. The proposal shall be put to a vote and if a majority of the ministers' votes are cast in favor of dismissal, the Omwinganiza shall terminate the appointment.
Article 22 - Organization of Territories, Regions and Provinces
i. The capital of the Busongora Kingdom is the City of Kasese. It shall be the ordinary seat of the legislative parliamentary assembly - Muhabuzi. A decision to change the location of the capital city shall require a 2/3 majority vote of the members of the legislative parliamentary assembly Muhabuzi.
ii. The Kingdom of Busongora shall be organized territorially into "Ebyanga" [Regions], Counties, Amagomborra [Sub-Counties] and "Emigongo" [Ridges]. All these entities shall enjoy autonomy for the management of their respective interests.
iii. All Basongora shall have the same cultural rights and obligations in any part of the territory of the Kingdom. The Kingdom shall guarantee the effective realization of the principle of solidarity, insuring the establishment of a proper and just social, cultural and economic balance among the various parts of Busongora territory.
iiii. Muhabuzi shall endeavour to retain the ancient boundaries and names of the Kingdom Regions, Provinces, Counties, Sub-Counties and Ridges as a means of preserving the history of Busongora.
v. The powers of regions to regulate and administer their own internal affairs shall be delegated to their administrative organs. Administrative organs consisting of Regional Executive committees may be required by or pursuant to Act of Muhabuzi to provide regulation and administration.
vi. Regional Executive Committees and Representative Offices of the Kingdom are subject to the unified and centralized leadership and management of the Council of Ministers. The committees shall carry out and exercise the following duties and powers as authorized by the Prime Minister:
[a] To supervise and inspect Kingdom activities in the policy or geographical area of which they are in charge;
[b] To issue or revoke or approve the separation, integration and merger, or the establishment and operation of Kingdom projects and assignments in the policy or geographical area of which they are in charge;
[c] To provide leadership, guidance, and other Kingdom services to members and supporters of the Kingdom, and to state or international agents or institutions in ways that are relevant to the mission of the Kingdom;
[d] To conduct other authorizations in accordance with applicable Kingdom provisions.
vii. The regions shall be administered by Regional Executive Committees whose chairs shall be nominated by Prime Minister and confirmed by the Monarch. The Provinces and Counties shall be led by Provincial and County Executive Committees respectively, and ridges by Ridge Executive Committees. The meetings of the executive committees shall be public except in cases provided for by Act of Muhabuzi. The executive committees may be charged by Act of Muhabuzi with the execution of official instructions to be given by the Kingdom Government.
viii. The officials appointed to serve on the executive committees are required to live in the areas assigned to them and to protect and promote the kingdom's citizens and interests there.
viiii. Regional or area by-laws shall be enacted by the committees, on the ground that they do not conflict with the law or the public interest, or the provisions of this Constitution.
x. The duties which may be levied by the administrative organs of regions and sub-regions and their financial relationships with the kingdom government shall be regulated by the resolutions of the Council of Ministers.
Article 23 - Busongora Civil Service [Ishaazi]
i. The Busongora Civil Service [Ishaazi] is hereby established as the agency that supports the kingdom's administration in delivering their mandate and in fulfilling their constitutional, administrative, ceremonial and other traditional responsibilities. The Operating Budget of the Ishaazi is approved by the Muhabuzi and the service is accountable to Parliament for its expenditures. These expenditures shall be made public through the Public Accounts process at the end of every year.
ii. The Civil Service is also responsible for planning and implementing the kingdom's administrative programs and the many activities the kingdom undertakes with, and on behalf of citizens in communities across Busongora and abroad. These activities serve to recognize outstanding achievement and the pursuit of excellence by Basongora, and to foster community identity, unity and pride. They also promote values such as respect for diversity, community participation and public education.
iii. The Civil Service shall also be responsible for supporting the Council of Advisors, and also for supporting, administering and managing the Order of Busongora and other medals, societies, gifts and grants issued by the Monarch
iiii. To help the public understand the roles and responsibilities of the Monarch, the Service shall offer both a public information program and extensive visitor and interpretation programs at Busongora's historic sites and official residences and at the precinct of the legislative parliamentary assembly Muhabuzi.
v. The Busongora Civil Service shall consist of ministry officials/staff, permanent secretaries, secretaries, aides-de-camp, press officers, financial managers, speech writers, trip organizers, event planners, protocol officers, as well as visitors' centre staff and tour guides at official residences and heritage sites.
vi. The Head of the Civil Service shall be the Secretary to the Cabinet. Other administrative officials of the Busongora Civil Services shall be appointed by the Prime Minister and shall be responsible for the different departments within the service.
vii. The Service shall consist of women and men trained in ceremonial state and diplomatic protocols, etiquette, culture and history, as well as the Rusongora language, dances, dress, games, martial arts, writing, poetry, cuisine and other arts. They shall have the task of preserving and disseminating those positive skills, sciences and arts that serve to improve the cultural life of Busongora.
viii. The legal status of public servants shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi. Rules regarding employment protection and co-determination for public servants shall also be laid down by Act of Muhabuzi.
viiii. In the exercise of their duties government bodies shall observe the right of public access to information in accordance with rules to be prescribed by Act of Muhabuzi.
Article 24 - Formation of Public Bodies & Registry of Guilds
i. Public bodies for the professions and trades and other public needs may be established and dissolved by or pursuant to Act of Muhabuzi, and without prejudice to municipal, state and international authorities.
ii. The duties and organization of such bodies, the composition, and powers of their administrative organs and public access to their meetings shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi.
iii. There shall be established the Busongora Registry of Guilds. The duties of the Registry shall include: crafting of policy positions and draft legislation for use by the state and by other institutions; providing support to the guilds, governments and to the public; registering guilds and enterprises; publishing awards and assisting concerned authorities with administering the employment protection Acts and other laws enacted by the state and regional parliaments, and by the Pan African Parliament, the UN and other international authorities.
iiii. The Kingdom shall support and promote professional guilds and amateur organizations and clubs which contribute to the improvement of the economic and cultural conditions of the Basongora, and of other communities in Busongora.
v. The Kingdom shall facilitate access, and support and promote by means of appropriate policies, community participation in the cultural activities of the public agencies and enterprises whose function directly affects the quality of life or general welfare.
vi. The Kingdom shall attend to the improvement of all culturally and geographically determined economic sectors, particularly of agriculture, livestock raising, fishing, mining, hospitality, and handicrafts, in order to improve and equalize the standard of living of all the people in Busongora. For the same purpose, special treatment shall be provided to the vulnerable cultural communities in Busongora.
vii. The kingdom shall plan and develop projects in accordance with the advice provided to it by the state and by the international authorities, and with collaboration of the unions and other professional, business, and economic organizations.
Article 25 - Supervision of Public Bodies
i. Supervision of the administrative organs shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi. Decisions by the administrative organs may be quashed only if they are in conflict with the law or the public interest.
ii. Rules pertaining to matters in which two or more public bodies are involved shall be laid down by Act of Muhabuzi.
iii. Disputes between public bodies shall be settled by Royal Decree unless they fall within the competence of municipal, state or international authorities, or decisions are referred to other bodies by Act of Muhabuzi.
iiii. The functions of the kingdom's guild supervisory system shall be:
[a] To preserve, study and improve the traditional guild structures that existed in Busongora prior to colonial occupation, as well as to preserve endangered and disappearing cultural arts and skills.
[b] To promote the consideration and discussion of all questions affecting the traditional trades and crafts of Busongora, and to develop and pursue policies which will promote and protect the interests of the trades.
[c] To promote excellence and just and honourable practice in the conduct of business in Busongora and to promote and enforce a code of ethics, with appropriate levels of arbitration to settle disputes.
[d]. To originate and promote improvements in laws and statutory administration affecting both the traditional culture-related industries, and the new post-colonial industries in Busongora.
[e] To improve the technical and general knowledge of those engaged or about to engage in industry, assisting with or promoting training and relevant qualifications, and to educate and inform the trade, wider business and consumers on all matters affecting the trades and industry in Busongora.
[f] To establish or co-operate with others to establish associations with similar objects and to work in close association with them, and to provide facilities for social contact between members of guilds and trades, their associates, stake holders and interested members of the public.
[g] To rectify the tendency of organizations to acquire staffing opportunistically and often carelessly with highly variable talents, and thus improve service and product quality.
CHAPTER 6: Public Bodies
Article 26 - Busongora Land Board
i. Busongora Kingdom being the logical and rightful authority and institution upon which the trusteeship of Busongora’s ancient cultural and community assets devolve by lawful and constitutional means, there is hereby established the Busongora Land Board and Trust Fund. The Busongora Land Board and Trust Fund shall oversee on behalf on the Kingdom, those lands that belonged to the Kingdom prior to 1907, as well as the lands that were granted BaSongora collectively by the government of Uganda in 2007, for the purpose of deciding how best to conserve, improve and generate revenue from the communal lands for the benefit of all BaSongora.
ii. The Busongora Land Board and Trust Fund, shall consider such options as:
[a] Protection and repair of cultural sites, museums and community centres
[b] Management of the Busongora Lands Registry
[c] Management of the Community Genealogical & Population Registry
[d] Grazing and farming rents on communal lands
[e] Severable-assets such as timber, oil, gas, mining and plantation products
[f] Easements for such projects as power lines, roads, and private driveways
[g] Development of tourist sites and fees for recreational use
[e] Land acquisitions and exchanges
[f] Construction of dams, reservoirs and other public amenities
[g] Removal of invasive species and facilitation of improved farming systems
[h] Revenue-sharing with private and public corporations and state-agencies
Article 27 - Royal Busongora Academy
i. There is hereby established the Royal Busongora Academy. The Academy shall also be known as the “Imperial Cwezi Academy” or simply as “The Songora Academy”, shall be constituted a membership of eminent or accomplished persons from all fields and professions, and shall be supported by a section of the kingdom civil service with special training in Songora cultural protocol, procedures and etiquette. The Royal Busongora Academy shall administer all aspects of the Busongora Honours System including the Order of Busongora, bravery medals, and other such meritorious service awards.
ii. Membership in the Royal Busongora Academy shall only be conferred by the Monarch to persons nominated by sitting members of the Academy. Members of the Academy are appointed for lifelong terms, and may only be removed for cause by the Monarch following a motion of censure by the Muhabuzi or by the Judicial Court of Busongora Kingdom. Non-Basongora may serve as honorary members of the Academy.
iii. The Academy shall be overseen by an executive committee. The members of the Executive Committee of the Royal Busongora Academy shall be nominated by the members of the Academy and confirmed by the Monarch. Other committees shall be formed by the members of the Academy at the request of the President of the Academy, to serve various needs of the Academy as they arise.
iiii. The President of the Busongora Academy shall be elected by the members of executive committee from among the members of the academy, for a renewable 3-Year term of office.
v. The Academy shall be responsible for establishment and administration of museums, libraries, and other institutions of public learning with the view to promoting and protecting the cultural heritage of Busongora. The academy will also be responsible for genealogical research, and for matters relating cultural protocols, and shall maintain the official registers of flags and other cultural symbols, as well as publish and maintain the official copies of the Busongora Constitution and copies of other important documents belonging to the kingdom. The Academy shall also issue publications addressing questions of interest to the members.
vi. The Academy shall hold an annual dinner during which laureates and such other notable cultural leaders and guests and new members will be recognized, and awards given for exceptional services rendered by private persons and institutions, in the service of worthy causes.
vii. The Academy shall also serve as Busongora's heraldry authority and that shall be responsible for regulation of heraldry, maintaining of heraldry records, registration and issuance of coats of arms and other armorial bearings, flags, official badges and pedigrees.
Article 28 - Busongora Grain and Seed Bank
i. There is hereby established the Busongora Grain & Seed Bank, which shall be chaired by a member of the Council of Ministers.
ii. The BGSB shall have the responsibility to erect granaries and silos, and to maintain food and water reserves, seeds, medicines and other emergency supplies, as well as cattle, for distribution to community members during times of scarcity or hardship.
Article 29- Busongora Judicial Court
i. There is hereby established the Busongora Judicial Court, which shall be chaired by the Omuramuzi, who shall have been nominated by the Council of Accesssion, and then formally appointed by the Monarch. When there no established functionality - such as when an organ is new or still under construction - or when there is inability to perform due to perceived conflict of interest - the functions of the Judicial Court shall be performed by the Council of Accession. The decision on replacing the Judicairy with the Council of Accession shall be made by the Council of Accession after consultation with the Prime Minister.
ii. All residents of Busongora who are willing and capable of doing so shall have a duty to co-operate in maintaining and defending good order and the cultural integrity and policy coherence of the Kingdom.
iii. In order to prevent infringement of the rights of both Basongora and resident non-Basongora, and in order to protect persons and property, and to guarantee fair access by all persons to services in the kingdom of Busongora, any conditions, measures, limitations, restrictions or obligations which may be imposed on any persons in relation to the unity or integrity of the rights of indigenous Basongora shall also be regulated by recognized international conventions.
iiii. Without prejudice to the proper competence of the municipal, state, regional or international authorities, the organization, composition and powers and functions of the kingdom's judiciary shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi. The members of the Busongora Judicial Court shall be appointed from a list of persons drawn up by the Muhabuzi.
v. Busongora Kingdom’s judiciary shall be responsible for provision of interpretation of this Constitution, and for provision of advice on legal matters, as well as for regulation of competition and conflict between various institutions and persons in the service of the Kingdom.
vi. The establishment, powers and procedures of any general independent bodies for investigating complaints relating to actions of the authorities shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi without prejudice to the municipal, state and international statutes, laws and conventions.
vii. Additional duties may be assigned to the Court by the Council of Ministers, such as the review of the constitutionality of the Acts of Muhabuzi, treaties, conventions, and acts of the Kingdom government, as well as offering advice to the municipal, state and international authorities, on matters pertaining to Busongora. The court shall provide advice and counsel to the the relevant Kingdom authorities, but the Court’s findings shall not be binding on the Muhabuzi.
viii. Members of the Busongora Judicial Court shall be appointed and dismissed by resolution of the Council of Accession. Their status shall in other respects be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi.
viiii. The method of dealing with cases and the consequences of court decisions shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi. Disciplinary proceedings and the conduct of courts of honour shall be regulated by Act of Muhabuzi.
x. A sentence entailing deprivation of royal privileges or entitlements within the kingdom maybe imposed only by the judiciary of the Kingdom, or in the absence of the judiciary, by the Council of Accession.
xi. Appeal to Monarch shall be admissible in the case of the disputes within the competence and jurisdiction of the Busongora cultural institution. Any organs which, or individuals who, are judged for administrative violation shall have the right to file a complaint against the decision to the Monarch. Pardons shall be granted by the Monarch.
xii. Except in cases laid down by Act of Muhabuzi, hearings shall be held in public and judgements shall specify the grounds on which they are based. ln cases provided for by Act of Muhabuzi, persons who are not members of the judiciary may take part with members of the judiciary in the administration of justice. Judgements shall be pronounced in public.
xiii. The judiciary shall have the following powers:
[a] To Conduct proper investigations or hearings, and to note the violations or abuses by officials and members of the Kingdom, without impending ordinary Kingdom activities or causing losses to the legitimate interests of the Kingdom;
[b] To propose to the Cabinet the relevant measures for correcting and/or punishing violations;
[c] To suspend any activities not in compliance with the approved plan to improve the organization and operation of the Kingdom, and which may be detrimental to the interests of the kingdom;
[d] To suspend temporarily, conditionally, or indefinitely the right of any member or official of the kingdom from taking part in the administration, management or control of the kingdom, if that member or official has done harm to the reputation of the Kingdom, or has been negligent, or has failed to carry out assignments or to follow the provisions of the Kingdom’s Constitution, or has abused their position or powers in order to take advantage of the kindgom for personal advantage or interest;
[e] To instruct the Muhabuzi, or the Monarch, or the Prime Minister, or the Chair of the Council of Accession, to remove from office or suspend any kingdom official who commits a violation of this constitution or fails to comply with the approved plan on improvement of the kingdom’s organization and operations;
[f] To propose and implement plans to improve the operations or the mission of the kingdom.
CHAPTER 7: Honors and Awards
Article 30 - The Order of Busongora
i. There is hereby established an Order or Society of Honor to be known as the Shield of Busongora, in Rusongora “Engabo ya Busongora”, to reward outstanding service to Busongora, to national life, to the cause of African Unity, and to general human peace and progress. The award shall entail the presentation to the recipients medals, pensions, entitlements, honours and privileges, by the Monarch of Busongora at special ceremonies.
ii. The Royal Busongora Academy shall administer all aspects of the Order of Busongora, including maintaining and publishing a record of Order recipients and beneficiaries.
iii. All members of the Order shall have a pension or stipend, as well as right of precedence at all Kingdom functions and offices. All of the privileges allowed lower ranking members of the Order are also allowed higher-ranking members. Higher-ranking members have additional privileges not allowed lower-ranked members.
iiii. The Order of Busongora shall have five grades including:
[a] Hero [Emanzi “Hero”] Highest degree of merit to Busongora
[b] Companion [Enganzi “Favorite”] Favor of the Monarch
[c] Commander [Omuhunda “Rod”] For eminent distinction in arts and sciences
[d] Officer [Entagurwa “Incorruptible”] For outstanding talent/exceptional service
[e] Member [Engabo “Shield-Bearer”] For distinguished service in the community
v. Persons may also be awarded the Order posthumously, in which case their estates and living relatives shall be beneficiaries and shall be entitled to receive recognition, compensation, letters of rehabilitation, or pensions on behalf of the award recipient.
Article 31 - Titles of Nobility and of Royalty
i. Any title of Nobility or Royalty granted by the Kingdom of Busongora shall be held only by the person to whom it was given by authority of the Council of Accession [AbaShoganisa], and shall not be heritable, except in cases specified by the Council of Accession.
ii. Persons may also be awarded Titles of Nobility or Royalty posthumously, in which case their estates and living relatives shall be beneficiaries and shall be entitled to receive recognition, compensation, letters of rehabilitation, or pensions on behalf of the award recipient.
iii. There are two categories of Busongora's nobility. The Banyenyezi (singular munyenyezi - “prince”, munyenyezikati - “princess”) or princes were the hereditary nobles. The Bajwarakondo were the appointed hereditary and non-hereditary nobles. The Bajwarakondo are appointed by the monarch, while BaNyenyezi are - like the monarchs - appointed or affirmed by the Abashoganisa [the Council of Accession].
iiii. In addressing persons of noble or royal title, or in assigning seats of places in procession lines, the rules of precedence are based on seniority, which in turn depends on title, rank, age, on offices held, and on when the nobles each obtained their titles.
CHAPTER 8: Amendments and Ratification
Article 32 - Interpretation, Amendments and Ratification
i. The provisions and articles of the Constitution shall come into effect, and shall be deemed to have come into effect, on 1st July 2012. Except in cases subject to any express provisions to the contrary, the holders of offices in the Kingdom before coming into force of this Constitution shall be deemed to have been duly appointed or elected thereto as the case may be. Subject to express provisions to the contrary, the procedures and ceremonies which have been used in ancient times, and in the period since 12 May 2012, in the administration of the Kingdom before coming into force of this Constitution, shall be deemed to have been duly authorized by this Constitution.
ii. This Constitution, and the regulations and provisions of the Kingdom of Busongora which shall be made in Pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme regulations of the Kingdom, and the authorities in the Kingdom shall be bound thereby. The Members of the Muhabuzi, the Monarch and all Officers of the Kingdom of Busongora, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution.
iii. References and appeals on interpretation of this Constitution shall fall to the Busongora Judicial Court, or in the abscence of the Court, to the Council of Accession, or to a qualified member of the Council of Accession, who shall act as the last internal court of appeal in the affairs that are within the competence of the kingdom.
iiii. Whenever it shall deem it necessary, the Muhabuzi shall vote on proposed Amendments to this Constitution, provided that the amendment does not undermine the functions and effectiveness of the Muhabuzi. The amendments, when ratified by two-thirds of the members shall be signed into law by the Monarch or Monarch-Regent and thereby become part of the constitution. Amendments to the Constitution passed by the Muhabuzi after Ist July 2012, and signed by the Monarch or by the Monarch-Regent shall enter into force immediately after, and the official version of the amendments shall be published by the official formally responsible for Constitional Affairs in the Kingdom, in the official gazette of the Kingdom, or in a revised or amended version of the Constitution.
v. Provisions in this Constitution which are in conflict or dissonance with any Acts of the Muhabuzi - or in conflict with any royal decrees and with regulations generated by the Cabinet - shall remain in force until the Muhabuzi has effected due-process procedures to change them in accordance with this Constitution.
vi. The text of the revised or amended Constitution - in which the chapters, sections and articles may be renumbered and references to them altered accordingly - shall be published from time to time by the designated official responsible for Constitutional Affairs in the Kingdom.
vii. This Constitution shall be published in Rusongora, as well as in all foreign languages of significant usage in Africa and elsewhere. If there exists any difference in meaning between the Rusongora and the foreign language texts of this Act, the English text shall be the authoritative text.
END
© May. 2012
APPENDIX I
LIST OF DRAFT AMENDMENTS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS:
i. Anyone nominated to be Monarch shall have the question put to them directly, “Do you accept the office of Monarch of Busongora? To which they must answer clearly and directly “Yes I do”. No one who has not accepted shall be invested as Monarch.
ii. Anyone elected or appointed to high office in Busongora Kingdom, including the office of Monarch, Royalty, Nobility, or to Cabinet, or to office as Advisor to the Monarch, or as member of the Council of Accession, must swear an Oath of Office, at the earliest possible opportunity on assuming office. Wilful neglect, failure or refusal to swear, take, or sign the Oath, shall constitute sufficient cause to have the person barred, or removed, from service in office.
iii. The Monarch, new members of the Council of Accession, Princes and Princesses, as well as Advisors, upon their investiture, shall swear an Oath administered by the designated member of the Council of Accession. The Monarch shall repeat the Oath in front of the public at a convenient occasion.
iiii. The Prime Minister, Clan Representatives, Members of the kingdom’s Parliament, and Chiefs of the Monarch, shall swear the Oath in front of the Monarch of Busongora, or in front of the Muramuzi [Chief Justice of Busongora Kingdom] or in front of the Chief Priest of Busongora Kingdom, or in front of the designated members of the Council of Accession if the office of Monarch is in abeyance or if the other concerned offices are vacant or unavailable to administer the Oaths. The cabinet ministers and secretaries and civil servants of the kingdom shall swear an oath in front of the Prime Minister or other designated minister of the Cabinet or of the Parliament.
v. The Affirmation of Allegiance or Oath of Office of a high official or royal or noble of Busongora Kingdom shall consist of the second paragraph of the following passage. The oath of the Monarch of Busongora shall consist of both paragraphs:
"I [Ceremonial name] do solemnly and sincerely testify, and declare that I am a Musongora, and that I have rendered just and good service to the kingdom of Busongora in the past. I promise that I shall, with becoming dignity, preserve sacred and inviolable, Busongora's ancient landmarks, rites and customs, which are here entrusted to my care and shall never deviate from the established usage, but rather shall endeavour to correct errors and abuses. I promise to be true and faithful and to imitate the example of the celebrated and benevolent Monarchs of old.
I promise to preserve, defend and uphold the Constitution of Busongora Kingdom and the statutes of Muhabuzi, and to observe all Just and applicable state and international Laws, and to promote and sustain the general welfare, unity and integrity of the people and culture Busongora. I swear to be faithful to every trust and to lead by example, and always to recommend good will, obedience, courtesy, affability and kindness, and to promote the tenets of duty and honor in service to the community. I shall fulfill my duties conscientiously, to do justice to all with impartially, to reward good effort, and to fulfill the duties in the office of [Position] faithfully and without fear or favour. So help me God. Amen."
So help me God. Amen."
After completion of the swearing the Oath, the Monarch or High Official shall sign a copy of the Oath.
vi. Public officials shall be disqualified from serving in the office of monarch of Busongora Kingdom, unless they resign their respective offices immediately upon their acceptance of the appointment to the Office of Monarch of Busongora. Failure to resign shall automatically nullify the appointment.
vii. If a monarch or high official of the Kingdom violates of this Constitution, or fails to make reasonable and substantive efforts to conform fully to the provisions of this Constitution within 7 days of being formally notified of a transgression, the Council of Accession shall take any measures authorized by the Constitution, which in their judgement shall be deemed necessary to correct the violation. The Council of Accession shall also take any additional measures to ensure that redress and amends have been made, up to and including, suspending or banning the transgressor from holding office.
viii. Anyone without a prior record of constructive service to the kingdom is barred from service as Monarch.
viiii. Anyone with a habitual delinquency such as alcohol-dependency, dishonesty, or some such other conduct that is likely to bring disrepute to the kingdom shall not be allowed to serve as monarch of Busongora.
x. There is hereby established the office of the Master of the Herds who shall be the superintendent of the Kingdom’s stables and farms, parade equipage, and ceremonies of exhibition of cattle and other animals.