Before the coming of the British to Uganda, there was no uniting leadership in Busoga. However, in 1894, the explorer Grant established the Busoga Lukiiko (legislative Council) at Bukaleba to help him administer what we now know as Busoga as a single entity (unit). The Busoga Lukiiko was composed of paramount rulers of the principalities and was presided over by Grant himself until 1913 when a Muganda the names of Semei Kakungulu was assigned the responsibility. Since Semei Kakungulu was responsible for presiding over the Busoga Lukiiko, he was called the “President of Busoga Lukiiko”. When Kakungulu was removed, the Busoga Lukiiko was moved to Bugembe after the Bukaleba mutiny.

The Busoga Lukiiko, consisting of the Abamasaza Abensikirano (Hereditary Saza Rulers) elected one among themselves to become the “President of the Busoga Lukiiko”. The title of “Regent for Busoga Lukiiko” was also used to connote the leader of the hereditary Saza Rules. Due to the difficulty in pronouncing the English title, the Basoga used to call him “Ligalyante”. In the beginning the Hereditary Saza Rulers held the Presidency of the Busoga Lukiiko in turns for a duration of three months. This system continued until 1919 when the Hereditary Saza Rulers resolved to elect Owekitibwa E. T. Waako to become President of the Busoga Lukiiko from 1919 – 1939. However, HSR of Busoga were suspicious and weary of the title of the President of the leaders.

On 11 February 1939 Owekitibwa E.T.Wako (late father of the current Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga, HRH Henry Waako Muloki), the Zibondo of Bulamogi was installed as the first Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga which title he continued to hold until 1949 when he retired due to old age. By the time Owekitibwa E.T. Waako retired as the Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga, the Busoga Lukiiko had expanded to include people other than the Hereditary Rulers. These members of the Busoga Lukiiko were elected representatives – two from each of the then 55 Sub-counties in Busoga.

When Owekitibwa E.T.Waako retired, it was necessary to replace him. The Busoga Lukiiko resolved then that the Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga shall always be elected among the five lineages of Baise Ngobi (Ababiito) hereditary rulers – traditionally believed to have been the five sons of Omukama of Bunyoro who immigrated to Busoga , namely: -
Gabula of Bugabula
Zibondo of Bulamogi
Ngobi of Kigulu
Tabingwa of Luuka
Nkono of Bukono

This method of election was used for the subsequent elections of the Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga beginning 1949 when Owekitibwa W. W. Nadiope of Bugabula was elected Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga for two terms of three years each, followed by Owekitibwa Henry Waako Muloki who also served two terms.

Busoga’s evolution was greatly influenced by the Banyoro and then dominated by the Baganda. More than a century ago the Basoga were subjected to the influence of the British Colonial system, and religion including Islam, Christianity.

The current Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga Henry Waako Muloki was re-installed on 11th February, 1997 according to the recognisable Kisoga traditions and cultures. Thus in 1939 Busoga created and started its own cultural leader the Isebantu Kyabazinga wa Busoga, and the Ugandan Constitution of 1995 recognises the institutions as provided for in Article 246 (1).