Kabaka commends security for successful Bugerere tour

By Charles Jjuuko and Henry Nsubuga

The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has commended security organs for the successful completion of his three-day tour of Bugerere County (Kayunga district).

The Kabaka, who started what he termed as a historical tour of Bugerere County on Monday, Wednesday concluded it successfully.

The Kabaka was in September 2009 denied access to Bugerere County after a minority tribe of Banyala claimed independence from Buganda kingdom which the latter declined.

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Kabaka Mutebi flanked by VP K iwanuka Sekandi (left) waves to ecstatic subjects in Bugerere

The Kabaka, who was speaking to hundreds of his subjects at Ntenjeru ssaza headquarters, said the Police, army and other security organs played a magnificent role in keeping peace and order throughout the three-day tour in the area.

However, Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said that one Police officer was arrested for driving recklessly almost knocking the Kabaka who was on the early morning jogging along Kayunga-Bbaale road at around 6:30am.

Nabakooba who declined to reveal the identity of the officer said the suspect was under Police custody.

“We arrested the Police officer after a case against him was reported to Kayunga Central Police by one of the Kabaka’s security officers,” she said.

“According to what I have got, the incident was not intended; the officer did not notice that the Kabaka was jogging. The suspect was on duty collecting Policemen who had been on duty at night. He was stopped by Kabaka’s guards and he refused, forcing the Kabaka to jump off the road for his safety,” Nabakooka noted.

She said the suspect was driving an omnibus and not a Police patrol.

The Kabaka noted that Bugerere is a county with people of different origins who settled there in the early 1920's.

"Since 1920 people from other parts of Uganda and the neighbouring countries like Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda have been settling in this area and lived in harmony with each other," the Kabaka said.

He cautioned the locals in Kayunga to remain united and avoid partisan politics from dividing them.

He emphasized that according to the constitution of Uganda, Bugerere (Kayunga) is within the boundaries of Buganda kingdom.
 
"We hope what happened in 2009 when we were blocked from coming to Bugerere will never happen again," he said.

Mutebi later commiserated with people of Bugerere and Buganda at large who lost their beloved ones, property and those who were imprisoned during the 2009 riots.

He also proposed public fundraising among communities with in the kingdom to help graduates secure jobs.

"Let as start fundraising for people to startup businesses as it is done on weddings,” Mutebi advised adding that the beneficiary would then pay back the funds unlike the one who receives such assistance for introduction and wedding ceremonies.

"People have the spirit of fundraising and we should use this spirit to pool for funds that will help jobless youths to start up income generating opportunities," he added.

The Kabaka applauded Kayunga residents for the overwhelming welcome they accorded him where ever he went during the tour.

The Kabaka started the day by commissioning the Seventh-day Adventist church at Bukolooto village in Kayunga Town Council.

At the church, the Kabaka was welcomed by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and the State Minister for Lands, Idah Nantaba.

Several dignitaries attended the function, including the State Minister in charge of elderly and disability, Suleiman Kyebakoze Madada, over thirty Members of Parliament, district chairpersons, Mengo ministers and religious leaders.