Buganda’s Bataka gain historic support from President Museveni

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OPINION

By Pheobeh Namulindwa

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent ground-breaking of Lwattamu House - a six-storey cultural complex that will serve as the headquarters of the Bataka (clan leaders) in Mengo is not just a construction milestone; it is a powerful reaffirmation of his enduring commitment to Uganda’s cultural heritage and the dignity of Buganda’s traditional leadership.

The event, held on Friday, July 25, 2025, was historic in many ways. For the first time in Uganda’s post-independence history, the central government, through the person of the Head of State, extended direct and unprecedented support to the Bataka—the very foundation of Buganda’s clan system. The President’s personal purchase of the 2.7 acres of prime land in Mengo for sh9.7 billion and his pledge to finance the sh58 billion needed to construct the building sent a clear message: traditional leaders matter, and their preservation is a national duty.

The planned Lwattamu House is not just a cultural symbol—it is an economic empowerment project. With 52 offices for clan leaders, business and banking halls, a museum, conference facilities, and lodging space, the project is designed to be a self-sustaining hub that will benefit not only the Bataka but also the wider Buganda community for generations to come.

President Museveni’s message was clear and heartfelt: “The Bataka are the bedrock of our traditions, whether or not kingdoms exist. They are the guardians of culture, language, and even our genetic diversity.” By reinforcing the role of clan leaders in society, the President justified that cultural leaders are key to passing traditions to the young generation and should therefore be actively supported.

This recognition of traditional institutions is not new to President Museveni. He reminded the audience of his long-standing ties with Buganda’s royal family—recalling his 1981 meeting in London with Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, and his tireless advocacy for cultural restoration during the liberation struggle. Museveni has consistently positioned himself as a bridge between modern governance and indigenous authority.

But the President did not stop at laying a foundation stone. He unveiled a broader package of support that reinforces the government’s commitment to empowering the Bataka in both cultural and economic terms:

• Sh100 million was donated to the Bataka Mutindo SACCO, which has over 700 members. This investment aims to strengthen financial inclusion and self-reliance among clan leaders.
• He allocated sh22 million to support a retreat for the Balangira and Bambejja, providing a space for royal dialogue and planning.
• He committed to purchasing land in Nakasongola District for Hass avocado growing, promoting agricultural entrepreneurship among cultural leaders.
• The President also pledged to renovate the Masiro (ancestral tombs) in Wakiso, sacred sites crucial to Buganda’s spiritual identity.
• And in a practical move, he promised to provide transportation to help clan leaders better reach their communities.

This comprehensive support package reflects not just generosity but strategic foresight. Through investing in culture and tradition, President Museveni is safeguarding the very soul of Ugandan identity.

The head of the Nvuma clan, Omutaka Kyaddondo Kasirye Mbag’elamula, expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating, “No President has ever supported us directly apart from you. Your backing for Lwattamu House is historic and will be remembered for generations.”

In a time when cultural erosion is a real threat, the President’s actions have provided a model for how political leadership and traditional institutions can coexist, cooperate, and collectively serve the people. His message is clear: culture is not a thing of the past, but a resource for the future.

As Uganda looks toward continued peace and development, it is leaders who honour the past while building for the future that will carry us forward. President Museveni’s partnership with Buganda’s Bataka proves that he is such a leader—one who understands that unity begins with respect.

The writer is a Public Administration Expert and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kassanda District, Office of the President