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 ROYALS 

What used to be the private residence of Uganda's first president and 35th king of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II, has been turned into a museum  — and officially opened.

The refurbished (and repurposed) facility located at Makerere University in Kampala was opened by Princess Agnes Nabaloga, Kabaka Mutesa II's daughters, on Wednesday.

She represented Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who succeeded his father Mutesa II.

Buganda Kingdom prime minister (Katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga and Prince David Wasajja — the youngest son of the late monarch — attended the opening.

Also present was Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and other university officials.

Figure sculptures of Mutesa II were also unveiled during the function.

During the function, Kabaka Mutebi (through his sister Nabaloga) presented to the museum a collection of pictures of his late father when he was still a student at Makerere University, then called Makerere College.

Among the pictures included those showing a youthful Mutesa engaged in various sporting activities, including football, cricket and golf.

On his part, Prof. Nawangwe said Makerere is privileged to have Mutesa as a member of its alumni.

He said the newly opened museum in honour of the late Buganda monarch will play a role in boosting Uganda's tourism.

He thanked Buganda Kingdom for contributing sh70 million towards refurbishing the  the king's former private residence as well as for backing the idea of turning it into a museum.

Mutesa was crowned king on his 18th birthday in 1942, three years after the death of his father, Daudi Cwa II.

A year after Uganda attained independence from British rule in 1962, Mutesa was named the first president of Uganda, which was then a non-executive position.

Following the collapse of the alliance of Mutesa and his prime minister Milton Obote, the latter overthrew Mutesa in 1966, forcing him into exile in the UK.

Mutesa died in exile in 1969.