Kabaka words on Kingdom

The Kabaka and the Nabagereka waving to the crowds in Mengo where he opened the Lukiiko yesterday
By Henry Mukasa KABAKA Ronald Mutebi has rejected what he described as attempts to split his kingdom by creating chiefdoms within it. Opening the Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) at Bulange - Mengo yesterday, the Kabaka said it was an abuse of Buganda’s hospitality for people who had been welcomed and settled in the kingdom to “desecrate” it. He also hoped that such people would not “despise and trample upon us”. Buganda, he argued, had in the past united people from different places into one entity, making the kingdom the most powerful in central Africa by the mid-19th century. “We still welcome people without discrimination and unite them under Buganda. “We would not like people that were welcomed to split into factions to start or build their kingdoms within Buganda,” the Kabaka said. The Buganda boundaries are documented, he said. “It hurts the Baganda when their kingdom is sub-divided.” When the Kabaka arrived at the Bulange in a convoy of cars, he proceeded to the courtyard for the sounding of the royal drums before entering the Lukiiko hall. Dressed in ceremonial robes and a crown, the Kabaka was greeted with deafening applause by his subjects. Chants of Ssabataka (the custodian of Buganda land) filled the air as the king walked to his throne accompanied by wife Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and Katikkiro JB Walusimbi.  The Kabaka condemned the on-going land violence which he described as worrisome. “Each day we hear of someone killed over a land dispute. Blood should not be shed over land,” he said. The Kabaka recalled a time when landlords lived in harmony with tenants on their land. “But now there is acrimony between landlords and tenants. Both cannot use the land but live in fear. This should be solved for the tension to end.” The monarch said since his coronation 16 years ago, the central government had returned some of Buganda’s properties for which he was thankful but said many other assets should also be handed back. He cited them as land, sub-county headquarters and granting a federal status to the kingdom. During the Lukiiko session, three new ministers were sworn in: Tony Kiyimba Kaggwa (lands and properties), Elly Sentongo (forests and environment) and Samalie Namazzi Mwanje (protocol). Sentongo, a retired auditor from Buruli, amused the Lukiiko when he swore his loyalty to the Kabaka. Sentongo, who is of the Bayinda clan of Ankole, said his grandparents settled in Buganda a long time ago. “Because you are visionary, you have appointed me,” Sentongo said as he stood before the Kabaka. “What happened in the past angered us. I hope those concerned will think twice and give you free reign in your kingdom. I know they are listening,” Sentongo added. He was referring to a case in the past when the Government blocked the Kabaka from visiting Buruli over security reasons. The Katikkiro outlined various projects Mengo is undertaking. He called for the deferment of the Land Amendment Bill and the Kampala city Bill until consensus is generated, vowing that Buganda would not give up the quest for federo. “The quest for federo is intended to unite the country and ensure equitable distribution of resources,” Walusimbi noted. He lamented the school fires, child ritual sacrifices, murders, unemployment and biting poverty. Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi, MPs, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leader, Bidandi Ssali, FDC leader Col. Kizza Besigye, UPC’s Miria Obote and religious leaders attended. The presidential adviser on Buganda, Robert Ssebunya, was booed in the gallery when he was introduced.