This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
November 21 marked 50 years since Sir Edward Mutesa II, the first president of Uganda and king of Buganda, died in exile. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complex history between Buganda and the Ugandan government.
Mutesa's story is one of struggle and hardship. After being overthrown in 1966, he escaped to London, where he lived in poverty for 40 months despite having significant personal wealth in Kampala that he could not access.
His private property in Kampala was seized, making him Uganda's first land grabbing victim. Land grabbing remains a significant threat to Uganda's stability today, affecting millions of unskilled workers.
Twenty-seven years after the abolition of Uganda's kingdoms, President Yoweri Museveni restored the kingdom of Buganda by crowning Mutesa's son, Ronald Mutebi II, as Kabaka. However, this move was likely motivated by a desire to maintain stability in the region, as 70% of Uganda's economy is concentrated around Kampala.
With the 1995 constitution in place, the central government may no longer need to worry about Buganda's sentiments, as half of Uganda's population was born after 2004. Nevertheless, the cultural institution of Buganda remains a sensitive topic, with both the central government and Buganda officials aware of its significance but reluctant to acknowledge it openly.
The depth of feeling among the Baganda people is remarkable, particularly among the younger generation. In 2009, a dispute between the Kabaka and a cultural sub-chief led to riots and loss of life in Kampala. Since then, a fragile peace has been maintained between the Kabakaship and the presidency.
Despite the lack of land or power to levy taxes, Buganda survives as a cultural institution, with its influence evident in the region's language, Luganda, which is widely spoken in Uganda. However, the kingdom's conservatives should be cautious not to suggest naming Luganda as Uganda's national language, as this would be the final piece of identity to be lost.
