Museveni urges cultural leaders to promote unity

Jun 01, 2014

President Yoweri Museveni has said that cultural institutions must not become new impediments to integration but enrich it by each contributing what they excel in.

By Vision Reporter

President Yoweri Museveni has said that cultural institutions must not become new impediments to integration but enrich it by each contributing what they excel in.


“In the case of the Rwenzori region and Busoga, I appeal to you to stop the unnecessary rivalries among the cultural heads.  You should always work out a win-win solution for the diverse communities in the respective regions.  No community is subservient to the other.  Every community, big or small, was put here by God and must be respected.  Anybody who cannot see this is in the wrong place,” he said.

Museveni urged cultural institutions to be in the lead for equitable integration in Uganda and Africa and said that none of them should emphasize parochialism at the expense of patriotism and Pan-Africanism. He pledged government support to the institutions when the resources are available.

The president was speaking during the coronation of Lt. Col. Martin Ayongi Kamya as the cultural leader of the Obundhingiya bwa Bwamba which includes Bamba, Babwisi, Bavonoma/Babutuku communities in Bundibugyo district, Western Uganda.

The new leader who has been a major and had retired from the army was immediately promoted upon being crowned and also presented with a vehicle as part of government support to cultural institutions. Previously Museveni had addressed members of the Busoga Lukiiko at Bugembe in Jinja during its inauguration where he also preached the same message.

The President called on cultural leaders in the country to cooperate and work together and said that in the past, cultural leaders oppressed their subjects prior to and during the colonial days leading to their rejection in favour of colonialists. He said that the colonial forces found it easy to conquer Africans because the cultural leaders then had caused confusion among the people.

At the Obundhingiya bwa Bwamba’s palace where he addressed members of the Lukiiko, the President proposed a meeting between the Omukama of Tooro, the Omusinga of Kasese and the Omunghingiya to reunite their people for development in diversity.

He warned against anyone who oppresses and mistreats people adding that no one should promote divisions among the people and that government and cultural leaders have no right to deny people their human rights.

“I do not entertain oppression. Every Ugandan should be respected”, he emphasized.

Museveni congratulated the people of Bundibugyo for installing their cultural leader noting that His Highness Kamya was a well-trained officer and called on the cultural leaders in the country not to mislead the new Bwamba cultural leader. He commended Omundhingiya Kamya for calling on the people to promote unity.

Omundhingiya Martin Ayongi Kamya saluted the President for gracing the occasion of his coronation and commended him for supporting the Bwamba Cultural Institution right from its inception. He also thanked him for a good road network linking Kampala to Bundibugyo and called on the people of Bwamba to work hard and maintain peace.

The Chairman of the Coronation Committee who is also Bundibugyo LC5 Chairman, Mr. John Tibemanya, thanked the President for continuing to help and serve the people of Bundibugyo. He prayed for long life of the new Bwamba Cultural leader.

Bishop Emeritus Benezeri Kisembo was thankful to God for the leadership qualities bestowed on President Museveni. He commended the President for mobilizing the people of Uganda to utilize their talents in producing resources geared towards the development of their families. He also advised cultural leaders to work for the good of the people.

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