President Museveni has met the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi at Nakasero State Lodge to discuss issues pertinent to Buganda and Uganda’s development.
“During the meeting, President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi discussed development matters of mutual interest between the Kingdom and the government. The two leaders later briefly exchanged pleasantries, both acknowledging that they have taken long without meeting, before going in for a closed door meeting,” reads a brief statement issued by the Presidential Press Unit.
At the meeting, Mutebi was accompanied by the Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, Mutebi’s young brother, David Kintu Wasajja and Augustine Kizito Mutumba, the head of the Clan Chiefs. In a hastily arranged press conference at Mengo, the Katikiro declined to disclose what the two leaders spoke about.
The meeting comes at a time when adrenaline levels are beginning to rise in the Kingdom following revelations by the government that it intends to bring an amendment to the Land Tenure system to among others abolish the Mailo Land tenure system, which is most prevalent in Buganda.
The Kingdom has already indicated that they will resist this amendment with all the energy that they can muster. Speaking during his 28 coronation anniversary on Saturday, Kabaka Mutebi said such actions by the government are aimed at weakening Buganda Kingdom.
He said land being the biggest asset of the Kingdom, whoever targets it is targeting the very existence of the Kingdom. Asked whether this was the among the key issues discussed, Mayiga remained tightlipped. “When leaders meet to discuss certain matters we who have escorted them cannot disclose what they have discussed. But what I can say, often it’s important for leaders to meet even if to exchange greetings it’s also important,” Mayiga said.
This is not the first time that the Kabaka and President Museveni have met whenever there is contestation between the government and Mengo. It should be recalled that following the 2009 Buganda riots that cost the lives of more than 30 people, Museveni and Mutebi met to iron out their differences that started when government stopped the Kabaka from going to Kayunga district, which is considered part of Buganda.
In 2013 too, Mutebi and Museveni signed an agreement to cease hostilities against each other. The government also undertook to return most of Buganda’s assets that were expropriated after the abolition of Kingdoms in 1966.
-URN
