By Joseph Kiggundu
KAMPALA.The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has urged leaders and citizens to uphold the rule of law, warning that disregard for legal and cultural frameworks undermines justice.
In a strong message delivered during a meeting with clan leaders (Bataka) at Bulange, Mengo, on Wednesday, the Kabaka stressed that no individual or institution should place itself above the law.
“The rule of law is the foundation of justice, accountability, and good governance. When laws are ignored or applied selectively, society suffers and public confidence in leadership is weakened,” the Kabaka warned.
He emphasised that respect for established laws and cultural institutions is essential for maintaining order, unity, and sustainable development within Buganda and Uganda as a whole.
The monarch expressed concern over what he described as increasing tendencies among some leaders and institutions to disregard rules and procedures.
He urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate integrity, fairness, discipline, and accountability in serving their communities.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the detention of opposition politicians and government critics.
Last week, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was reportedly picked up from his home in Wakaliga and driven away in a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to as a “drone.”
Addressing clan heads, the Kabaka reminded them of their unique responsibility as custodians of Buganda’s heritage and values.
“From the beginning, clan heads have been among the strongest pillars in protecting the heritage of our kingdom. Clans are the foundation of Buganda, and their members are the heart of the kingdom,” he said.
He encouraged the Bataka to continue promoting and protecting their respective clans while educating members about the importance of their heritage, traditions, and land.
“We urge clan heads to continue fulfilling their responsibilities by promoting and protecting their clans and teaching members the importance of preserving their identity and ancestral land,” the Kabaka added.
The Kabaka also underscored the importance of unity and cultural preservation, noting that the clan system remains the backbone of Buganda’s identity. He called upon clan leaders to strengthen cooperation, mentor young people, and safeguard cultural traditions to ensure they are passed on to future generations.
He highlighted several challenges affecting communities across the kingdom, including land disputes, erosion of cultural values, poverty, and youth unemployment.
“These challenges require collective efforts and responsible leadership. We must work together through dialogue and structured leadership to find lasting solutions,” he said.
The Kabaka commended the Bataka for their continued commitment to protecting Buganda’s cultural heritage and reaffirmed his support for initiatives aimed at promoting culture, unity, and socio-economic development.
Speaking on behalf of the clan heads, Namwama Augustine Kizito Mutumba said the Bataka remain united under the foundation laid by the Kabaka and previous leaders of the kingdom.
“The unity that exists among clan heads today has helped us promote and protect the kingdom and its cultural heritage,” Mutumba said.
He noted that fostering unity remains one of the key responsibilities of clan leaders.
“It is our duty as clan heads to promote unity in Buganda, from the leadership structures down to the Kabaka’s subjects. This unity has strengthened our ability to preserve and promote our culture through the clan system,” he said.
Mr Mutumba explained that regular monthly meetings among clan leaders have enabled them to discuss challenges and opportunities affecting both the kingdom and individual clans.
He also highlighted the success of the annual clan football tournaments, which have helped strengthen relationships among clans while promoting cultural identity. The tournaments are spearheaded by the Buganda Kingdom’s Ministry of Sports under Minister Robert Serwanga.
In addition, Mutumba revealed that cultural training programmes, which were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, have resumed and attracted more than 2,000 participants.
The programmes focus on teaching Buganda’s cultural norms, traditions, and values, particularly among young people.
He further noted that clan leaders have published several books, magazines, and historical documents aimed at preserving Buganda’s history and guiding future generations.
Among the publications are works on clan structures and lineages, burial guidelines for clan heads, funeral rites and procedures, family leadership, and succession planning.
“These publications are intended to preserve our history and provide guidance on important cultural matters affecting families and clans,” he said.
Mutumba, however, appealed to the central government to expedite the payment of outstanding financial obligations owed to the kingdom, arguing that limited resources have affected the implementation of several activities.
“Our clan members continue to ask about the progress of settling the debt, but we are unable to provide clear answers because we have not been informed about the status of the process,” he said.
He also raised concerns about delays in handling cases in Buganda courts, saying prolonged legal proceedings have affected development initiatives involving some clans.
“As clan heads, we want to establish procedures that can help speed up the handling of cases so that disputes are resolved within a reasonable time,” Mutumba said.
The meeting marked the first official engagement between the Kabaka and clan heads since his illness in 2024, which saw him travel to Europe and Namibia for treatment. More than 30 clan leaders attended the meeting , while a few were unable to participate due to the short notice of the meeting.
The engagement served as a platform for the Kabaka and clan leaders to reflect on the kingdom’s progress, discuss challenges facing communities, and reaffirm their commitment to preserving Buganda’s cultural heritage and promoting development.