Kampala, Uganda – Vice President Jessica Alupo has urged Uganda’s traditional and cultural leaders to use their influence to foster peace, unity, and development—while also encouraging their communities to support President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming 2026 elections.
Speaking at a high-profile ceremony held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel to hand over vehicles to cultural institutions, Alupo praised the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for what she termed a “historic and transformative gesture.” The vehicles are intended to ease mobility and support the work of cultural leaders across the country.
“These vehicles will boost your ability to reach communities and strengthen your vital role in promoting unity and transformation,” Alupo said, extending greetings from President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni.
She also shared insights from a recent official visit to Brazil, where she said several African leaders commended Uganda’s stability and Museveni’s role in promoting regional peace.
“Peace is everyone’s responsibility. We must continue supporting the leadership that has delivered stability at home and abroad,” she added.
Alupo, currently participating in the NRM party primaries, also sought spiritual support from the cultural leaders, asking them to pray for her and others involved in the electoral process. She underlined the cultural institutions’ unique role in guiding the moral and social fabric of the nation.
Highlighting Uganda’s deep historical roots, Alupo referred to ancient dynasties like the Batembuzi and Bacwezi, praising them as early examples of regional integration that laid the foundation for today’s unity.
She also appealed to the Ministry of Gender to work with the Ministry of Tourism to preserve and gazette more cultural heritage sites, emphasizing their importance for both national identity and tourism promotion.
In a more political tone, the Vice President closed her address with a strategic appeal to the traditional leaders:
“As you carry out your duties with these vehicles, whisper to your people that 2026 is coming—and His Excellency is still on the ballot.”
Buganda Kingdom Declines Vehicle Gift, Opts for Cash
However, the event took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that Buganda Kingdom had declined the vehicles gifted by President Museveni to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
In response to media inquiries, Gender Minister Betty Amongi clarified that after consultations with Buganda officials—including Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga—it was agreed that cash would be a more culturally appropriate form of support.
“Buganda indicated that, according to their customs, certain provisions for the Kabaka must come from his subjects,” Amongi explained. “So we agreed to issue a one-time payment, which includes funds equivalent to the value of the two vehicles, as well as accumulated allowances.”
The two vehicles— a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 and a Toyota Hilux— were valued at Shs 800 million, according to ministry officials. The funds have since been disbursed to the Kingdom.
In total, 15 other cultural institutions each received two vehicles during the ceremony held at Kololo Independence Grounds, with royal representatives, ministers, religious leaders, and diplomats in attendance.
Many of the cultural leaders expressed gratitude to the government and pledged to use the support to enhance community mobilization and promote national development programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga