Buganda marks 20th coronation anniversary today

By Jeff Andrew Lule   
                                               
Buganda Kingdom marks 20 years today since their Kingship was restored. Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II was crowed as the 36th, King of Buganda after a long time abolition of Kingdoms by the former President of Uganda, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote.

According to many Baganda, this is the most precious day in the history of the kingdom.

This year’s celebrations are to be held in Lubiri Palace in Mengo, Rubaga Division in Kampala on August 3, 2013. Last year’s celebrations were held at Sentema, in Wakiso.

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Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II plants a tree at Lubiri along the Kabaka-Njagala Road that is being renovated by KCCA.

Kabaka Mutebi was enthroned on July 31, 1993, at the official coronation site Nagalabi, Budo. The historical day in Buganda was attended by President Yoweri Museveni as the chief guest and many dignitaries to grace the function.

The Kingdom information minister, Denis Walusimbi Ssengendo thanked President Museveni for restoring the Kabaka, “a symbol of authority in the Kingdom”.

“Though many things have not gone well since we gained our Kabaka, this day remains special to us the  Baganda. The 20 years mean a lot to us because it reminds us of our rebirth after so many years in silence,” he said.

People jammed the Kabaka-Njagala Road as they escorted the Kabaka after launching a tree planting campaign in the area

Gen. Idi Amin, the then army commander of the Government forces, attacked the Lubiri Palace on the orders of Dr. Obote forcing Kabaka Edward Mutesa II the father to Mutebi to flee into exile in the United Kingdom in 1966.

Obote also abolished all cultural leadership until President Museveni restored them when he took over power.

Walusmbi said they recognize all people who participated in the restoration of the Kabaka.

He said during the period when Kingdoms were abolished, many of the Buganda properties and assets were taken on by the government.

“These are the things we are still demanding for. They belong to us. But some of them have been returned and we hope to get others with time,” Walusimbi noted.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II's car in a convoy as he left Lubiri Palace where he planted trees to mark his 20th coronation anniversary

While reading the 2013/2014 kingdom budget recently, the kingdom minister for finance, Eva Nagawa said government still owes Buganda Kingdom about sh18b in rent arrears.

Walusimbi said the 20 years help the Kingdom to reflect on the achievements since the Kabaka was restored, challenges and the way forward.

The Katikiro, Peter Charles Mayiga said his main focus is to unit all people to work hard to support the kingdom activities.

“Without unity, Buganda cannot move anywhere like any other institution. We want to make sure that every person gets what to in order to support the activities of the institution and also have one voice to easily overcome several challenges facing the kingdom,” he noted.

Mayiga said there are still several challenges including poverty, poor health and education facilities which are facing the Kingdom and the country at large.

“We think we can overcome these challenges if we work in unity as Buganda and other Ugandans at large. We belong to one country and we need each other to move forward,” he said.

Mayiga asked people to always support leaders with a vision and integrity who are ready to serve irrespective of their ethnicity, religious and political ideologies. He said what matters in Uganda is proper service delivery to the people and nothing else.