Government responds to Kabaka Mutebi

The Minister, while responding to the concerns raised on Monday, July 31, 2023, by the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, also emphasised that the Government has not in any way curtailed the Monarch from exercising his duties as he pleases.

Kabaka Mutebi, while speaking at his 30th coronation anniversary, said his Kingship had been deprived of administrative authority by the Government.

He also decried people who, he said, are hell bent on fighting the kingdom.

“The kingdom was restored, and we cherish it very much; but we have no authority,” he said.

Responding to the King on Tuesday however, Minister Baryomunsi dismissed some of the claims.

“Currently, there is no bad blood between the traditional leaders and the central government,” said the Minister.

“It is also not true that we are preventing our traditional leaders from effectively serving their people. The leaders are free to deliver messages to their subjects like health, or taking part in campaigns meant to support their people.”

Regarding the question of Federo, which the King said was still top on their list of demands from the central government, Minister Baryomunsi said this is not the government's priority at the moment.

He emphasised that the question of regional autonomy has to be originated from, and discussed across all regions of the country and not just from Buganda.

“We are in Uganda; whatever we decide it has to represent the voice of all Ugandans because it is all of us together who make up the nation. We have to think of working together as Ugandans,” he said.

The Minister was speaking to reporters at the Uganda Media Center.