Today, the Kabaka of Buganda has celebrated his silver jubilee since his coronation following the restoration of the kingdom. On July 31 1993, the Kabaka of a nearly defunct kingdom, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II was crowned the Kabaka of a new Buganda in a colorful function at Naggalabi Buddo. This event was a major turning point for Buganda Kingdom.
Baganda refer to their king as Kabaka as a sign of respect. A king in Buganda stands above the rest of the subjects with an identity only unique to himself. This is the reason the baganda have defined their king under different names and titles. However, in Buganda, the King’s differentiation does not only come through his title but various aspects and way of life.
Buganda is one of the Kingdom that welcomes Uganda cultural safaris to tourists on Uganda safaris.
The Kabaka of Buganda dedicated 2018 as a year of celebration for the marking 25 years as a kingdom king. Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi has invited Otumfour Nana Osei Tutu II (Asante Hene), the cultural leader of the Asante people in Ghana as chief guest.
The Ashante Empire is well known for being fierce and conquering vast lands across pre-colonial West Africa during its peak in the 14th ,15th and 16th centuries just like Buganda Kingdom.
Ashante’s and Kabaka’s forefathers Ashante and Mwanga respectively were both in the 18th century exiled in the Seychelles by the colonialists.
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Over the last 25 years, the kingdom has tremendously registered success.
First to note, is that the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi is still on his throne presiding over his kingdom since coronation.
Kabaka Mutebi is the first king anywhere in the world to re-establish a kingdom after it had been abolished.
Over the past 25 years, there has been unity and cohesion among the people of Buganda when it comes to kingdom issues. When it comes to Kingdom issues, Baganda people put their political and religious differences aside and work for the good of the kingdom.
The Kabaka’s subjects, especially young people, have embraced and consolidated Buganda’s heritage. They are proud of their clans. Before the restoration of the kingdom, some clans had started intermarrying each other yet it is incest.
The Kabaka dedicated his reign to the youth and they have not let him down. All projects started by the Kabaka have been embraced by the youth for example; Ekisaakaate kya Nnabagereka (queen’s cultural camp) is embraced by many young and corporate parents.
Education
Education has been a key achievement. The Kabaka deliberately holds a lot of functions at schools because that way, parents and guardians understand the need to have their children educated.
From time to time, he encourages people to build schools and take their children to school. In this, he fulfills the vision of his great grandfather, Ssekabaka Muteesa I, who invited missionaries to teach his people how to read and write. On their Educational safaris in Uganda, they built so many schools that still exist until today.
Kabaka Mutebi has offered bursaries to all children in Uganda and has built schools from primary, technical schools, to university.
As efforts to mark his silver jubilee, he launched Kabaka Mulondo House at the Buganda Royal Technical Institute in Mengo. A year before, he launched Namasole Sarah Nalule building at Lubiri High School, Buloba campus.
Agriculture
He has been very developmental with the launch of Bucadef, which gives technical advice to his people, especially on agriculture and the provision of water and other services.
Working with other partners, people are provided with water and advised on modern farming practices. Some people have started embracing growing coffee, cassava, matooke and other foodstuffs.
July 31 is celebrated annually in Buganda in commemoration of the coronation of Kabaka Mutebi in 1993.