KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: There was a security incident on Monday morning at Bulange, the headquarters of Buganda Kingdom as an alleged section of Kabaka’s tradional army known as Abambowa moved to oust the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) military guards and Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga’s administration.
The men, that Newsday could readily confirm as truly being from Abambowa army, were however quickly repulsed and arrested in an early morning operation that was reportedly headed by the leader of the military guards Maj. Lutwaama Musaazi. Several are beind bars in various police stations.
The “Abambowa” came waving a letter purportedly authored by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi but which officials of Buganda Kingdom immediately flagged as fake.
The contents of fake “Kabaka’s letter” dated November 27, addressed to clan heads and the grand children of Buganda, had ordered an immediate halt to all events within Bulange and other cultural sites.
“We have halted all activities within Bulange and the palace. Abambowa are henceforth directed to take over all security matters,” the letter read.
But Mengo via its social media sited immediately rubbished the letter advising “ladies and gentlemen to disregard the trending document. Its fake.”
There is however growing concern about the on goings between Bulange and the palace.
Abambowa reportedly visited the Kabaka recently and reported an alleged degeneration of values to which the Kabaka allegedly told them their role as Abambowa remains as traditionally.
On Monday morning, it is alleged at least eight of the Abambowa who had stormed Bulange were arrested. Minister for culture and former BLB boss, Kyewalabye Male was present during the fracas.
The Kabaka has for example held three visits in the recent past without the announcement by the Katikkiro which is often a traditional norm. The Kabaka has visited Entebe Botanical beach and the zoo, he visited his Lake in Ndeeba and most recently toured Luzira Port.
Theorists have pointed to discontent of the monarch about the way the administration at Bulange has handled the issue of Kooki that recently declared it had seceded from Buganda and expelled Mengo backed officials from its territory.
“But also the Kabaka has often directed that the Kasubi tombs get done a directive that has been disregared,” a source said. Reconstruction of Kasubi had in official figures in 2019 consumed Shs. 6bn but each year since then, an allocation of more than Shs.800m is allocated.
But the Katikkiro has often argued the Kasubi tombs require a lot of hectic work to ensure all traditions are fulfilled. Since the reconstruction works commenced, in 2013 after a fire on March 16, 2010.
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