‘Buganda at crossroads’

Jan 30, 2006

BUGANDA is at crossroads, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi 11 warned yesterday.

By Joyce Namutebi
BUGANDA is at crossroads, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi 11 warned yesterday.

Mutebi was opening the 14th session of the Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) at Bulange, where 26 new ministers and deputies affirmed their allegiance to him.

“Buganda is at crossroads at this time. We have confidence that you members of the Lukiiiko and MPs who represent us will try to secure all what our people aspire for,” Mutebi said.

He asked the Katikkiro (premier), Dan Muliika, and all kingdom officials to preserve Buganda’s traditions and “listen to our people who are now distressed”.

The gallery was jammed with relatives of the newly-sworn-in ministers. They clapped as their clansmen cited their ancestry before the king.

Two non-Baganda ministers, Muhammud Thobani and Rajan Taylor, amused the people when they declared that they belonged to the lion and lungfish clans, respectively.

Mutebi looked jovial as the new ministers tried to outdo each other in appreciation of their appointments.

He said Buganda was facing poverty and desertification.
He said changes that Buganda has been fighting for since 1900, should not destroy its traditions.

Mutebi commended former Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere and his cabinet for their exemplary service to Buganda in such a difficult period of the restoration of the kingship. He said they had laid a strong foundation on which the new team would build a powerful kingdom.

Mutebi congratulated Muliika and his cabinet for agreeing to serve and urged them to do so courageously and wisely.

There is discontent among some Baganda over the agreement reached between the central government and Mengo, particularly on the issue of electing the Katikkiro
Ssemwogerere, who led the Buganda team in the negotiations, resigned with his cabinet over the issue.

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