By Josephine Maseruka

HUNDREDS of people yesterday thronged the entrance of the Mengo palace to witness the handing over of the Buganda kingdom mace (Ddamula) to the new Katikkiro (premier), John Baptist Walusimbi.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, clad in a light cream tunic, navy blue jacket and black shoes, performed the brief ceremony of handing over the mace to Walusimbi, 64.

He was accompanied by Namasole Zzirimbuga princesses; Dorothy Nassolo, Diana Teyeggala, and princes; David Wassajja, Nnamugala and Khalifani Kakungulu.

In the dramatic ceremony, the Kabaka, standing in front of the main entrance to his official palace called out: “John Baptist Walusimbi” and the new Katikkiro, who was clad in a shiny navy blue robe with golden emblem, walked toward him, accompanied by a group of his clansmen from the Civet cat (Ffumbe) clan.

The Kabaka then stated: “I hand over to you this mace to help me lead Buganda kingdom.”

Walusimbi was appointed premier on December 31, succeeding Dan Muliika.

Mutebi’s announcement was received with loud drumming, ululations, and dancing. A ceremonial tussle followed as Walusimbi and his clansmen struggled to keep the mace while the Kabaka’s guards and others tried to snatch it from him
The premier’s team managed to protect the Ddamula until he entered a room at the former Butikkiro, which currently houses the Joint Clinical Research Centre.
If the mace had been grabbed from Walusimbi, he would have either lost his post or fined 100 cows.

Onlookers at the research centre appeared confused as they witnessed the mock scuffle and later the merry making as Walusimbi served close to 100 of his clansmen roasted liver, cooked and unpeeled banana fingers.

The guests included the Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, NRM vice-chairman Moses Kigongo, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala Metropolitan Yona Lwanga and retired Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo.

Others were former Buganda premiers; Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, Mayanja Nkangi and Dan Muliika, central government and Mengo officials, politicians and the business community.