KAMPALA: The Council of Buganda kingdom’s clan heads (Abatakka) have issued a defiant praise to President Yoweri Museveni for his sh10b gift in form of land.
The salutation to Museveni came amidst criticism to the clan heads for opting to visit Museveni with royal sanction.
“The council of clan heads welcomes heartily and salutes President Museveni for fulfilling his promise (to buy us land). The council plans to meet the King to inform him about the gift (from President Museveni),” a statement signed on August 31, 2023 by Nsamba Aloysius Lubega, the secretary to the council, said.
The leaders said they decided to approach President Museveni after challenges such as their clan land being grabbed and they specified land at Bakka, Masaka among other places as already taken or at risk.
The Batakka’s deal with Museveni was brokered by ICT junior minister Joyce Ssebugwawo who first presented them in a meeting with the President on March 30 this year.
Their meeting with Museveni has stirred public debate with a section backing their move while others have criticized Katikkiro Charles Pater Mayiga for leading to the state of affairs.
Those who think Mayiga and the clan heads are wrong claim that the title “Abatakka” is derived from Landlords (land owners).
“How then can a landlord beg land from a landless person?” many commentators wondered.
But to those who blame Mayiga say that he is just looking on as land owned by clans is being grabbed or taken over by the Buganda Land Board (BLB) as kingdom’s official land.
Over the weekend, former Katikkiro Daniel Muliika criticized the clan heads for visiting Museveni without Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s consent. On Monday Katikkiro Mayiga also voiced his concerns over the Abatakka’s move.
“I approached him to inquire if he was aware of this matter, and he indicated he had no knowledge about it. We cannot foster unity if our leadership structure is fractured. Those clan leaders should issue a prompt apology to the Kabaka,” Muliika noted.
During a Lukiiko sitting on Monday August 28, Katikkiro Mayiga stressed that the Kabaka holds the authority to remove any clan head and even disband the entire leadership.
He cautioned clan heads against straying from the foundational principles of Buganda Kingdom, asserting that meaningful achievements require diligent effort.
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