Kabaka urges clan heads to document Buganda’s history
Royal visit. Kabaka Ronald Mutebi (2nd left) is welcomed by his subjects at Mukungwe Sub-county, Masaka District, on Monday.
PHOTO BY ISSA ALIGA
What you need to know:
A clan is a grouping of people who can trace their lineage to a common ancestor in some distant past. According to the Ganda cultural, one is not supposed to marry from his own clan or that of the mother. Similarly, one is not supposed to eat the totem of his clan
Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has directed clan heads in Buganda to document all history about their clan lineages.
The Kabaka said this will help the young generation learn about their clans and work hard to develop them.
He emphasised the importance of clans in Buganda, saying they form the foundation on which the kingdom was built.
“This is the reason why each clan should jealously guard their ancestral land from encroachers,” the Kabaka said while touring the ancestral site of Nnyinyi Ndiisa Clan at Mukungwe Village, Mukungwe Sub-county in Masaka District on Monday.
Ms Ibrahim Sentongo, the head of Nnyonyi Ndiisa Clan, told the Kabaka that their ancestral land has been encroached on by squatters.
“If we had a title, we could have preserved all our land, but we have lost a bigger chunk of it and we are only remaining with 12 acres,” he said
A total of 46 clans are officially recognised in Buganda.
However, many clans in Buganda are currently on the verge of losing their ancestral land to land grabbers. The ancestral land house seats for various clans.
Mr David Kyewalabye-Male, the kingdom minister for tourism and Royal Tombs, castigated some clerics in Buganda who name heirs immediately after burial, saying it is against the cultural norms.
This comes days after one of the daughters of the late former premier Apolo Nsibambi, Ms Rhoda Kasujja, was installed as his heir.
The ceremony was conducted by Mukono Diocese Bishop, the Rt Rev Williams James Ssebaggala, at Namirembe Cathedral during a requiem service for Prof Nsibambi last week. It is said Prof Nsibambi choose his daughter as his heir.
The Kabaka, who concluded his four–day visit of Buddu County (Greater Masaka area) yesterday also visited the ancestral sites for Nnyonyi Namungona clan and Kinyomo clan at Kasaka Village and Kyasa Village, respectively.
He applauded members of Nnyonyi Namungona and Kinyoma clans for constructing offices at their sites and urged others to emulate them.
