The National Unity Platform party leadership, in a bid to politically capture the Buganda region completely, has left no stone unturned.
According to the source, NUP, currently during Kwanjula ceremonies in Central Buganda, has abandoned presenting the portrait of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and replaced it with the one of Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.
This unmatched move has sparked significant controversy and raised eyebrows among Buganda Kingdom subjects and political observers, with many questioning the intentions of the NUP as a political party and its lack of respect for Ssebasajja Kabaka to the extent of replacing his portrait with that of a political figure at a traditional cultural function.
According to Mpologoma clan leader Omutaka Namuguzi Ssebuganda Erukaana Lukanga Kwanjula, it is typically a celebration of cultural heritage and royal tradition.
Presenting Kabaka’s portrait is symbolic of the presence of the highest ruling authority of Buganda, who is also the high priest and supreme judge of the Buganda.
“For Kwanjula to happen, portraits of the Kabaka of Buganda and the Nnabagereka are presented by the groom to the bride’s father as a must; unfortunately, we are witnessing the abuse of these cultural requirements, where our brothers from the NUP carrying out introductions are presenting Bobi Wine’s picture instead of the of Kabaka,” Lukanga said.
Lukanga also noted that this is seen as a challenge to traditional authority as well as placing Bobi Wine above their king, which casts disrespect on the longstanding customs of the Buganda people.
Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga has condemned this act and issued a serious warning to all the subjects and cautioned Kyagulanyi to stop such practices, saying it’s against the Kingdom’s interest.
“This act undermines the dignity of our traditions and the respected status of the Kabaka; we must remember our roots and the significance of our leadership. Any attempts to politicize our cultural events will not be tolerated,” Mayiga warned.
He went on to say that only the Kabaka and Nnabagereka’s portraits should be presented during the Kwanjula
“Otherwise FDC will start presenting for Amuriat and Nandala, Catholics for the Pope, and the like, yet Kwanjula is purely a traditional event that should not be confused with politics,” Mayiga added.
The Katikiro’s warning serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between tradition and modernity in Uganda’s evolving political landscape.
