Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the Kabaka (king) of Buganda Kingdom has told his subjects not to be complacent with the cultural institution’s status, warning that even when he has been on the throne for three decades, there are many people keen on destroying the monarchy.
Thousands of people thronged Lubiri, Mengo to celebrate Kabaka Mutebi II’s 30th coronation anniversary. In his speech, the king admitted that he and his administration at Mengo were not as powerful as some of the subjects think.
“Even when the kingdom was restored, it has not yet got the sovereignty and powers to do the things that we would love to do. He have managed to fight for ourselves in matters of health, education and agriculture. This explains why we want a power sharing system which some call Federal,” said the Kabaka.
The Kabaka also decried the many enemies that he said did not wish Buganda well.
“Even when the kingdom was restored – and we love it so much – there are some people who do not like Buganda. Therefore, do not slumber,” said the Kabaka in the first coronation anniversary since the 2019 after which the Covid19 pandemic disrupted events.
For a cool 27 years, cultural institutions were banned and Buganda Kingdom was among those that were not functional.
Going biblical, the Kabaka assured his subjects that this was just the beginning of the struggle to transform Buganda.
“In the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was getting started at the age of 30. This means that our work has just started.”
The Kabaka then rapped labour exporting companies whose bosses he said only care about enriching themselves instead of helping those seeking jobs abroad.
The Kabaka urged Buganda youths and parents not to sell their land to go abroad for casual labour, saying the kingdom would help them jump out of poverty.
“Do not be confused by those who want to take you abroad to do jobs that they themselves are not even sure about. Some have been mistreated while others have died there. Those labour exporters do not wish you anything good. They are bad-hearted people who reap huge financial benefits while poor Ugandans suffer in slavery.”
It should be remembered that the Kabaka and his leadership as well as President Museveni and his government have been in a war of words over Federo, mailo land and State House land which Buganda Kingdom says belongs to the Kabaka. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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