President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni used his speech as he officiated at the 31st Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, at Karuzika Palace in Hoima City, to ask Ugandans to pray for the monarch.
Museveni saluted the Omukama, the Banyoro and the Kingdom for their contribution to Uganda’s development.
Museveni also emphasized the roles of cultural institutions like kingdoms, which were restored by his National Resistance Movement (NRM) government in 1993.
“The Government is responsible for legislation, administration, and economic planning, but there are things that modern governments cannot do. Cultural institutions, for example, should take the lead in preserving and promoting indigenous languages, with support from the government,” Museveni noted.
Further explaining that culture goes beyond customs surrounding marriage to include food and tools that define people, the president said he has in good health — even at the age of 80 — because of traditional foods such as cassava, mingled millet, and milk, and that he tries to stay away from bread and rice. (See details about what Museveni eats for breakfast, lunch and supper, as well as his 90 cooks and how much they earn, Here and There).
Museveni also told kingdoms to focus on the preservation of indigenous languages, promotion of traditional foods, safeguarding rational customs, and supporting socio-economic transformation.
“Cultural institutions must focus on preserving indigenous languages because modern governments mostly use English and Kiswahili. If you don’t take it up, who will teach your people their languages?” he asked.
The president also talked about the Omukama’s ill health. Museveni asked Ugandans to “keep him [Omukama Gafabusa] in their prayers.”
Last year, Museveni sent a helicopter to airlift the Omukama from Hoima to Kampala for better treatment after his condition worsened, as reported Here.
In another kingdom of Buganda, the Kabaka last week flew out of the country for treatment and routine checkup, many months after he spent months in Namibia receiving treatment before his visa extension application was denied, as reported Here, There and Over There.
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