FULL SPEECH: Museveni hails Kabaka
President Yoweri Museveni Saturday joined Buganda Kingdom in celebrating Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s 20th coronation anniversary.
By Vision Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday joined Buganda Kingdom in celebrating Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s 20th coronation anniversary.
Museveni hailed the Kabaka for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday with him, that resolves some of the issues of contention between the Kingdon and government.
"I congratulate Your Highness, the Kabaka, on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) you signed with me the other day," Museveni said. He stated that the agreement was with the Kabaka, and not the Katikkiro, as had been reported by some.
"That MOU deals with the issues some people who like to recklessly fish in troubled waters have been using regarding some issues including the former masaza-magombolola estates as well as the harmonization of the rights of the indigenous cultural groups in Buganda."
The ceremony at Lubiri, Kampala, attracted tens of thousands of Buganda loyalists and friends. Lubiri is the palace that was attacked by the army in 1966, forcing Kabaka Edward Mutesa II to flee into exile when the day’s Government abolished traditional kingdoms. Twenty seven years later, in 1993, Kabaka Mutebi was crowned after the NRM Government restored kingdoms.
President Yoweri Museveni and his deputy Edward Ssekandi arrive. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa
The Kabaka, wearing a kanzu (traditional tunic) and draped in leopard skin and bark cloth, arrived at about 12.00pm. He was carried shoulder high to Museveni’s tent. The two had an unusually lengthy and firm handshake.
On the eve of the 20-year coronation anniversary, Mengo and the state signed an agreement for the return of the various properties that are still in the hands of the central government.
Properties to be returned
- All the land that belongs to the Kabaka
- Sub-county and county headquarters
- Gardens in Jeza Mityana
- Buganda markets, those constructed and those under construction
Other highlights of the agreement
- Compensate or return all properties belonging to the Kabaka, after verification.
- Government to pay Sh20.389b in FY 2014/15 for rental arrears, court costs and profits accrued
- Kabaka to let the Government continue renting properties it has been renting
- Kabaka is at liberty to go anywhere in Buganda
- Government is to compensate the Kabaka for Plot 53 Kampala Road (on which King Fahad plaza is)
- Government to compensate Buganda for Mutesa House in London
Joy at the return of the Ebaffe at the Coronation celebrations yesteraday. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa
FULL SPEECH BELOW
Uganda President Museveni's Speech at Kabaka Coronation Anniversary by The New Vision