Kabaka instructs clan heads on investment
Jul 16, 2020
Kabaka Mutebi said financial independence is a key pillar for cultural institutions to not only survive but as well thrive in an ever-changing world.
CULTURE | BUGANDA
The Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has instructed Buganda's clan heads to streamline registration of their assets and property for safeguarding against grabbers and redevelopment to attract viable business investments.
The Kabaka said that because the traditional clan heads are living in modern times, "there is no reason why they shouldn't be making money yet they have property and sites with rich historical heritage that can be redeveloped into commercially viable tourism destinations."
Mutebi said financial independence is a key pillar for cultural institutions to not only survive but as well thrive in an ever-changing world.
"It is important that clans survive to preserve our culture and heritage but in doing so, they must be strategic to adept to technology and innovation as well but this can be best done through investments that make for them money," he said.
Kabaka Mutebi made the remarks on recently at his Palace at Mengo while inaugurating Augustine Mutumba as the new head (Namwama) of the Kkobe (Aerial yam) clan.
The Kabaka congratulated Mutumba upon the appointment.
The 1900 Agreement between Buganda and the British allocated land to the Kabaka, his family members and the Kingdom chiefs. Land is central in Buganda's heritage.
Clans and their heads were equally beneficiaries that were allotted significant chunks of land in their capacity as office bearers and also individually.
Although the 1966 crisis in which former leader Milton Obote attacked the Palace forcing Kabaka Edward Mutesa into exile and subsequently abolishing kingdoms distorted Buganda's organizational structure, several observers and scholars attribute its survival until the restoration of cultural institutions in 1993, to the strong establishment of the clan system.
However, clan leadership in Buganda is often bedevilled by infighting over land and assets. Many clans have lost significant property to leaders that sell it off for selfish gain at the expense of posterity.
The clan system in Buganda is built around ownership of land.
Kabaka Mutebi tasked Mutumba to strengthen unity within his clan and build bridges to ease communication and amicably resolve disputes.
He said this will eliminate infighting and make clans attractive to the younger generation.
Mutumba is the 40th head of the Kkobe clan who was installed in August 2017 at their headquarters in Buzimwa- Mawokota County but his official recognition has been bogged by infights.
The Kabaka adjudicated upon the leadership dispute between Mutumba and Nsereko Byekwaso in March 2016 following over 120 years of the Nsereko family reigning over the Kkobe clan.
It is not clear why recognition of Mutumba has been protracted yet the matter was resolved four years ago.