Today marks 31 years since Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, Buganda Kingdom’s reigning monarch, officially became king. On this day in 1993, Mutebi – born on April 13, 1955 – became the 36th Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom.
On the occasion of his 31st coronation anniversary, the Kabaka was not present at the Anglican St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe where a church service to mark the day and pray for the king was held. In attendance were thousands, including the Queen or Nnaabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda and Prince Richard Ssemakookiro.
A recorded video with the Kabaka’s message played during the church service. The king thanked the religious leaders and all his subjects for the love they have shown him and the kingdom. From the video recording that played for four minutes and 53 seconds, the following are The Pearl Times’ key takeaways.
GRATEFUL FOR LIFE
The Kabaka has been to different hospitals, including those outside the country – the latest being in Namibia. The Kabaka said he was happy to see the day on which the 31st coronation anniversary was being celebrated.
He thanked God for the life He has given him, and saluted doctors for the treatment offered at health facilities in different countries.
HEALTH CONDITION
The Kabaka returned to the country a little over a week ago. He had spent three months in Namibia where he was receiving treatment. His physical absence from the Namirembe church service would clearly have raised some questions on his health condition had he not come out to give an update.
Good enough, the update was in video format, allowing the Kabaka’s subjects to see their king. The Kabaka said his health condition had “continued to improve.”
DOCTORS’ ORDERS
But while the statement about the Kabaka’s health condition should have raised the question, “why then did he not physically attend the service at Namirembe Cathedral or caused the holding of another coronation anniversary event?” the king was quick to note “the medical team is still treating me.”
“Even if my health condition has continued to improve, as part of adhering to doctors’ recommendations, I was unable to join you as I have always done,” the Kabaka added.
CALL FOR UNITY: GIVE THE ENEMY NO CHANCE
The Kabaka also reminded his subjects of the fact that Buganda Kingdom had enemies – just like all kingdoms have had over the centuries. Unity, the king, said would be the only way to keep going and a way they would not give the enemy a chance.
He also told them that even when he was outside the country receiving treatment in Namibia, he was “following what has been happening very well.” He added: “We always urge you to unite, to preserve and respect our norms and values. This is where the enemy may pass and take advantage if we don’t do the right thing.”
NORMS AND VALUES – AND THE KABAKA’S POWERS
The Kabaka warned his subjects against being misled by some people as the last few months have shown how some self-seekers can take advantage to spread compromising statements about acceptable values, norms and practices.
“The situation we went through in the past few months has made some people to ignorantly or deliberately violate our norms and behalf inappropriately. They have done many things to mislead our people about the kingdom and its throne,” the Kabaka said. “This is very dangerous. Be careful with those people.”
He then went to remind his subjects of the guidelines to be followed to enthrone or coronate the Kabaka. He made it clear that “the Kabaka is not elected by clan heads” and that “the clan heads know their responsibilities.
“Kabaka reigns assisted by the Katikkiro whom he appoints himself. There is no one who can be acting on behalf of the king. The Kabaka has the right to introduce, promote or speak against some norms and values according to the times,” he said.
DEAR YOUTH & DIASPORA: LOVE – BUT WITH DISCIPLINE
The Kabaka also had a message for the youth and the Baganda in diaspora. Thanking them for loving and obeying the king, the Kabaka made it clear that it is important that the love for the king reflects discipline and honesty.
The Kabaka returned to Uganda a little over a week ago after the Namibian government refused to grant his request for visa extension. While the Kabaka was in Namibia, some clan heads had travelled there to see him only to be arrested. President Museveni warned these clan heads (bataka) against embarrassing Uganda abroad. The Buganda Royal Family has since apologized to the Namibian Government. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
