National
No party as Kabaka turns 55
TO ROYALTY: Kabaka Mutebi (C) and Tooro King, Oyo (L), toast yesterday at the latter’s palace in Buziga, Kampala. The Kabaka had paid a courtesy call to King Oyo, who will celebrate his 18th birthday on Saturday. Unlike Oyo’s, the Kabaka’s birthday today will be muted. Right is Oyo’s mother, Kemigisa. PHOTO BY BRUNO BIRAKWATE
Posted Tuesday, April 13 2010 at 00:00
Mengo
Other than celebrate, Buganda will today “merely mark” the 55th birthday anniversary of its king, Ronald Mutebi II, according to the Katikkiro. “Unlike in the previous years, this time round the Kabaka will simply mark the day given the challenges currently facing his kingdom,” said Mr JB Walusimbi.
The muted party will begin with prayers at Kibuli Mosque before the Kabaka visits the nearby hospital. He will then head to Kibuli Senior Secondary School to meet young people. The theme for the anniversary is Obuwangwa bwaffe n’obukozi ge manyi (culture and hard work are our strength).
According to Mr Mohamood Thobani, the chairman of the organising committee, the king will then grace a cocktail party at Theatre La Bonita, where selected theatrical groups will perform in his honour. Mr Thobani says the choice of the cocktail venue aims at appreciating the role of artists in promoting Buganda’s culture.
Whereas the Katikkiro did not give details on the kingdom’s challenges, Mengo’s relationship with the central government is at an all-time low, the lowest moment perhaps being in September last year when security agencies blocked the Katikkiro from accessing Kayunga District.
Kingdom’s challenges
The premier was part of the Kabaka’s advance team that was preparing for the kingdom’s Youth Day celebrations. The resultant violence in Kampala and neighbouring districts led to the deaths of 27 people—most shot by live bullets.
Amid the melee, the government shut down four radio stations, including Mengo-leaning Central Broadcasting Services accusing them of inciting violence. Whereas the other radio stations have since been switched back on air, CBS remains closed.
Weeks later, the NRM-dominated Parliament passed amendments to the Land Act that Buganda opposed, saying it was a ploy to grab its land but the government advanced as a solution to illegal eviction of squatters.
Kabaka Mutebi was born at the royal palace, Twekobe in Mengo on April 13, 1955 and is the 36th king of Buganda. He is the son of the late Sekabaka Edward Muteesa II and the late Kabejja Sarah Nalule Kisosonkole of the Nkima clan.
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