By: Katongole Arnold
“Ayi Katonda kuuma Ssabasajja ne Buganda.” Uganda is a country that cherishes culture and recognizes different pre and post colonial cultural societies in kingdoms and chiefdoms since time in memorial. The kingdoms and chiefdoms are vital fostering units of unity , sanity and economic development.
Buganda kingdom, is one of Africa’s oldest and pre-colonial kingdoms. It’s believed that kabaka Kintu doubles as the first king of Buganda and Muganda. Buganda has had thirty-six (36) kings and kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is Buganda’s longest- serving kabaka since inception by Kato Kintu in the 11 century.
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In 1966, after the fallout of then premiere of Uganda Apollo Milton Obote with his comrade and then president of Uganda kabaka Muteesa II(then king of buganda). Buganda kingdom went through turmoil, as the kabaka(muteesa) was forced to go in to exile in UK where he later passed on 21 November 1969 of suspected poisoning from the Obote vigilant staff that had followed him to the UK.
Buganda and Uganda were in a crisis as all cultural institutions were banned following the Pigeon Hall constitution where members of parliament were only required to support the constitution, not given chance to go through due to a state capture at the time by the Obote regime. Buganda kingdom like all other cultural institutions banned, Joash Mayanja Nkangi then prime Minister was fundamental to keep the statutes of the kingdom alive until coronation of then Ssabattaka to Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II in 1993 was crowned kabaka of Buganda at Nagalabi in Buddo .
The kingdom was restored with a king and thirty years now, the Kabaka has been a torch for the kingdom as expected and he has led different initiatives that have boosted the kingdom economic development, social and political organization of Buganda as an institution. Among these, is the revival of Masaza football which continues to unite Buganda people.
Kabaka birthday run another cause that has created awareness and addressed matters like Fistula, currently AIDS awareness campaign to end AIDS by 2030. More work has been done to transform Buganda from a civilized traditional society to a modern civilized kingdom that critically deals with the issues of the youths and rest of its people.
Economic development has also been achieved under the region of Kabaka Mutebi. Through the proprietorship of CBS broadcasting services that helped run commercials earning the Kingdom money, “emwanyi terimba campaign.” Where farmers in Buganda are provided with agriculture knowledge on how to increase their coffee production and how to add value to coffee for more money. More economic development has been registered with the creation of BBS Television, Engule Beer , Olwendo drinking water and Enkuuka ya Buganda all avenues to revenue collection.
The Kabaka of Buganda has continuously stood out as an emblem for cultural leadership, not only in Uganda but in Africa. His era has continued the progress of the kingdom internally and externally. His thirtieth coronation celebration comes at no good time than now when Luganda language is gazetted as an international language. “Wangala ayi Magulu nyondo.”
