Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II waited for a significant time in his 30-year reign to make three significant changes in his cabinet.
Just a day after Buganda Kingdom celebrated the Kabaka’s 30th anniversary celebration, the king chose to announce his decision to relieve David Kyewalabye Male of his duties as Minister for Culture and Heritage, dropped Dr Prosperous Nankindu Kavuma from her position as Minister of Education, Health, and Office of the Nabagereka, and threw out Henry Moses Ssekabembe Kiberu as Minister for Youths and Recreation. (See Details Here).
So, why did the Kabaka fire these three ministers?
When the list came out, those who follow goings-on at Mengo were curious: they wanted to know if Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, whose has been the most significant figure in Kabaka’s cabinet for the last 10 years, had been fired.
But it was Katikkiro Mayiga announcing the changes. He had survived the axe and those who support him could now breathe because their man was safe – at least for now. Mayiga has been under fire from some in the kingdom over issues concerning the Kabaka’s sickness. (See Details Here and There).
The reasons for the mini-reshuffle rotate on the struggle to replace Katikkiro Mayiga as some powerful ministers had begun positioning themselves as potential successor Katikkiros. The other reason for the reshuffle is said to relate to money and accountability.
At least two of the fired ministers, including one who had previously been an influential figure at the Buganda Land Board (BLB), are said to have asked to resign. The one who had been at BLB had even claimed that he was not in very good health and needed to seek medical treatment abroad.
But some had argued that this powerful and very wealthy minister was running away from accountability issues, having reportedly mismanaged the money meant for, among others, the treatment of the Kabaka. That the minister had confessed to chewing the billions of money and had offered to pay back in installments to avoid being exposed and having his name soiled by his misdeeds.
Another minister is said to have got into trouble with Empologoma ya Buganda over the issues to do with youth groups such as Nkobazambogo, Akaliba Akendo, and Buganda Bumu which he sought to make more active in the affairs of Mengo. That the style of fronting and empowering the youths made many young people like him, hence scaring the powerful people at Mengo. The youth groups in Mengo play a vital role and are often used to fight proxy wars for those jostling for the attention of the Kabaka.
Relatedly, this same minister is said to have had issues over the management of funds for the Masaza Cup. His troubles over this matter reportedly began after he relieved some of the powerful people in his ministry of their duties who allegedly lifted the lid on the deals. An audit was consequently carried out and this minister was reportedly not found so clean.
For Nankindu, the only female minister relieved of her duties in the mini reshuffle, her issues were on two grounds: confusion on handling of the Office of the Nnabagereka and her career development (and her dealings with the central government).
Respected on matters of education, Nankindu was chosen by central government boss President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni to be a member of an influential commission that will decide what will be taught to Ugandan children. This job, alongside her other engagements, has been keeping her busy and leaving her with little time to handle her ministerial office. (See Details Here).
An academic passionate about issues of quality education, the amiable Nankindu found herself in a tight spot the Katikkiro and Nabagereka seemed to be in a cold war over the Buganda queen consort’s office. First, Nnabagereka Sylivia Nagginda did not want her office to be bundled under Nankindu’s docket. But she later accepted. After all the office would now have a budget to facilitate its activities. But this did not materialize, leaving both Nankindu and Nagginda frustrated.
The zenith of this frustration was the launch of Nnabagereka’s autobiography book which many Mengo top officials, including Katikkiro Mayiga, shunned. This same event prompted Nankindu to ask to resign from the Kabaka’s cabinet. It is in this same book, that the Kabaka’s wife reveals how she gave the Kabaka twins over 10 years ago. (See Details Here).
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