Excitement as Kabaka visits Kayunga again

Kabaka Ronal Mwenda Mutebi. File photo

What you need to know:

  • On Monday, Mengo blocked the Buganda youth from storming Kayunga to reclaim Bbaale Sub-county headquarters, which was allegedly grabbed by the Banyala from the Kabaka.
  • In January 2014, the Kabaka visited the district, where he spent three days preaching reconciliation, unity and development.

Kayunga. At Ssezibwa Bridge, the gateway to Kayunga District, cheerful residents have erected an arch in honour of Kabaka Ronal Mwenda Mutebi’s historic visit to Bugerere County.
As the Kabaka visits Kayunga today, the revelry at the gateway is a complete opposite of the ugly scenes of September 2009 when the military combat vehicles and mean-looking security personnel blocked the monarch’s visit to Kayunga, where he had planned to preside over a youth fete.

The government decision to block the Buganda King from visiting his subjects in a contested county triggered spontaneous protests in the various counties across the kingdom. The protests later degenerated into ferocious riots as police and the army confronted the protestors. About 20 people died in the conflict.
The Kabaka is expected to grace the finals of the Buganda clan football and netball championship organised by Bugerere County at Ntenjeru District headquarters tomorrow.

“This is a historic visit because some people have been claiming that this county does not belong to Buganda,” said Mr James Ssempigga, one of the residents of Kayunga, adding: “The visit confirms that Bugerere County is part of Buganda and under the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Mutebi II.”
This will be the Kabaka’s second official visit to Kayunga since 2009 Buganda riots. In January 2014, the Kabaka visited the district, where he spent three days preaching reconciliation, unity and development. Contrary to government fears of the likely clashes between the Kabaka subjects and the minority Banyala cultural group that claims Kayunga, there was no bloodshed and Kabaka’s subjects swamped Kayunga Road and other areas to welcome him.

The visit
Fears. Earlier, after the announcement of the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga, there were fears among some residents in Kayunga that the visit would be blocked like it was the case in 2009. However, the Banyala premier, Mr Martin Ssenkatuuka, said they had no problem with the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga.
Police beefed up security in the district ahead of Kabaka’s visit ostensibly to avert any possible clashes between the Kabaka’s loyalists and the Ssabanyala’s supporters.
On Monday, Mengo blocked the Buganda youth from storming Kayunga to reclaim Bbaale Sub-county headquarters, which was allegedly grabbed by the Banyala from the Kabaka. Buganda Kingdom leaders have since called for calm and asked the government to ensure that peace prevails.