Jesica Alupo, the Vice-President (2nd R) and Minister Amongi (R) hand over the keys to vehicles to Uwelukoosi Umukuuka Sir Jude Mike Mudoma (2nd L) at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Wednesday, 16th July, 2025
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I To decline a Shs 750 million gift takes one with a strong heart. But Buganda kingdom did exactly that.
But they say a gift is a token which the recipient doesn’t need to merit or deserve.
On Wednesday, Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, on Wednesday handed over a fleet of new vehicles to the nation’s gazetted cultural leaders.
The handover, we reliably learnt, was part of the government’s initiative to enhance the capacity of these revered leaders to mobilise their communities for the vital causes of peace, unity, and socio-economic transformation across Uganda.
But guess what happened? Buganda kingdom was conspicuously absent from the recipients list, something which sparked controversy.
But according to Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, Buganda’s minister of Information, who also doubles as the kingdom spokesperson, said they didn’t receive any formal communication from the Government concerning the vehicle donation.
He said that he just saw the news on TV, heard on radio and social media that Buganda was supposed to pick one of those high-end vehicles.
However, another official from Mengo, who spoke to Habari Daily on condition of anonymity, since he is not authorized to speak about this sensitive matter, said that the Baganda have already gifted their king with a brand new 2024 Lexus LX J30L, a luxury SUV which was reportedly gifted to him by the kingdom in April for his 70th birthday.
“I personally believe that this vehicle is even better than what they intended to donate to His Merjesty the King. His new vehicle, among other accessories has a V6 twin-turbo engine with a 10-speed transmission, message seats, fridges, to mention but a few,” he said.
The Kabaka is already using this vehicle on his sojourns, much to the excitement of his subjects.
However, Betty Amongi, the Gender minister said that upon receiving the directive from President Museveni to provide the vehicles to the cultural leaders, she visited the Buganda Prime Minister also called the Katikiro, but she declined the offer in kind.
“He stated that their culture requires certain provisions to be made by the subjects. We agreed that the money meant for them would be given in cash,” she said.
However, at a press conference addressed by Kitooke, the kingdom’s spokesperson said they have neither received the vehicle nor the cash.
“In a meeting Hon Amongi had with the Katikiro, he categorically stated that due to our customs and norms, the Kabaka does
n’t receive a salary, monthly stipend or donations in not receive tings in kind, unless they are from his subjects,” he said.
He added that the Katikiro informed the Government delegation that the Kaba Kabaka can ony remove support from the central Government if it is going towards developmental projects such as the construction of the Kasubi tombs, educational gatherings for subjects, and the like.
Museveni’s message
The Vice President Alupo, who conveyed the President’s appreciation for the restoration of cultural institutions, encouraged the influential cultural leaders to continue their commendable efforts in promoting peace and unity within their respective communities.
She said the President’s decision to restore kingdoms was an acknowledgement of the foresight demonstrated by Uganda’s ancestors, who, centuries ago, successfully united numerous disparate clans into powerful kingdoms such as Buganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole.
It was only Buganda and Bugwere kingdoms that did not receive the vehicles.
