By Dennis Otim

1^st Aug 2011:

Centre: Kabaka waving to adhoring crowd

Like most public events around the country these days, Buganda Kabaka [King] Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s coronation anniversary celebrations in Kasangati yesterday turned political when one speaker after another, especially religious leaders, made reference to the government’s suspected persecution of Buganda Kingdom.

In what appeared to be veiled messages to President Museveni, the religious leaders lectured Museveni on how to win public love and respect; implying of course, that the President has lost both.  “…If you want to be loved you must love and respect the institutions that people love and respect”, Sheik Zubair Kayongo said.

The hundreds upon hundreds of Baganda who attended the Kabaka’s coronation anniversary, it appears, revere their King so much that when it came to the subject of his status in society, or at least in Buganda, some put him very close to the almighty God.  “…The Kabaka is God’s shadow here on earth”, Sheik Zubair Kayongo declared.

Determined not to be out-done by his Muslim counterpart Sheik Zubair Kayongo, Bishop Lwanga, who is known for his frequent and fearless strides into the world of politics from which they [as religious leaders] are “forbidden” by law, opened his soft diatribe against the government with a perfectly timed prayer and message of condolence to the Owino market traders who had just lost their merchandise in a vicious fire.

Turning to the unofficial podium subject of the moment, the “civil war” between Buganda Kingdom and the central government, Bishop Lwanga came down firmly on the side of the supposed victim, most likely, the Kabaka of Buganda.  “…All the brutality meted out by those in authority only make the victims stronger and more loved at the people”, Bishop Lwanga said.

He then left no doubt in his listeners’ mind about what he really thinks about President Museveni’s wisdom in choosing to embark on the treacherous collision course with Buganda that he is suspected to be on.  “…May President Museveni be given the wisdom of Solomon to use our native communities as a foundation for a strong nation”, Bishop Lwanga delivered his tongue-in-cheek prayer.

In his own speech, the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi said exactly what was expected of him.  “…The people are the Kingdom’s number one resource.  We should work hard to produce more and also deploy land productively”, the Kabaka said.

He also captured the mood of his gathered subjects as well as the mood of the dignitaries present by lamenting what he called “…the economic situation under which the cost of living rises everyday yet incomes are reducing”. END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.