His Royal Highness the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II has turned 70
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The King of Buganda Kingdom is one year older today. Going by the name and title of His Royal Highness the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II, his birthday has brought a smile on the faces of many of his subjects in the kingdom.
King Muwenda Mutebi is the son of Edward Frederick William David Walugembe Mutebi Luwangula Muteesa II, Kabaka of Buganda, who reigned between 1939 and 1969. He later on became the first President of the Independent Uganda between 1962-1966.
The 36th king or Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, the current king was born on 13 April 1955 at Mulago Hospital.
King Mutebi’s mother was Omuzaana Kabejja Sarah Nalule of the Nkima clan.
He attained early education at Budo Junior School. He later on moved to King’s Mead School in Sussex and Bradfield College, a public school in West Berkshire. He then entered Magdalene College, Cambridge, still in the UK.
Appointed heir at 11
At the age of 11, he was appointed as Heir Apparent by his father on 6 August 1966. His professional life is characterised by many roles, and kicked off while he was still in exile. He once worked as Associate Editor of the African Concord magazine and a member of the Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) in London. His ascendance to the Buganda Kingdom throne kicked off on 21 November 1969, upon the death of his father.
King Mutebi during his infancy with caretakers in the UK
King Mutebi’s returned to Uganda in 1988, following the removal of the Milton Obote regime and the military junta that briefly replaced Obote.
The constitutional restoration of kingdoms in Uganda that had been abolished by Milton Obote found him well positioned to replace his late father as Buganda’s next Kabaka. He was later enthroned at Buddo, Naggalabi on 31 July 1993. His royal seat is at Bulange building in Mengo, from where he has reigned since his coronation.
Marriage and Children
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is a family man. He is married to Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, whom he wed on 27 August 1999 at Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, in Kampala.
The Kabaka has numerous children, who include Prince (Kiweewa) Savio Muwenda or Juunju Suuna, who was born in 1986 in London, to Vénantie Sebudandi a former diplomat from the Republic of Rwanda.
Other children to the Kabaka include Princess Joan Nassolo. Princess Victoria Nkinzi and Princess Sarah Katrina Mirembe Ssangalyambogo Nachwa.
The Kabaka matches with his beau, Nabagereka Nagginda Luswata at a function
Ssemakookiro is heir apparent
Buganda also has a heir apparent, who is Prince Richard Ssemakookiro, who was born in 2011 to Rose Nansikombi from Luweero District, who is from the Enseenene (Grasshopper) clan.
King Mutebi’s reign has not been without hiccups. One of these was his long illness, which took him to Europe and America for treatment, after which he received psychotherapeutical treatment in Namibia in early 2024.
His long, 36-year reign has turned him into one of the longest living Kabaka of all times in the kingdom of Buganda whose history is more than 700 years.
Katikiro’s birthday message
Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga’s statement on Kabaka’s birthday. In the message of the day, he congratulated the Kabaka on the development of Buganda through various initiatives.
He said: Today, the kingdom of Buganda is celebrating the birthday of King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who was born on April 13,1955 at Mulago hospital.
For 70 years, 70 years are very honorable and when a person reaches it is described as perfectly manifested in experience and understanding of the circumstances around him.
The leadership of the King is seen in fulfilling the history of traditional leadership through our languages; People’s development; education and peace in the country of Buganda.
The leadership of the King has not only brought about cultural development only, but has also brought in a strong development to the achievements of these times.
