MAYUGE: President Yoweri Museveni has pledged continued government support for Busoga Kingdom’s development agenda, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and commercial transformation.
In a message delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the 12th coronation anniversary of Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV at Mayuge District headquarters on Saturday, Museveni said government valued its partnership with cultural institutions.
“Traditional institutions are vital anchors of moral fabric, social cohesion and wealth creation,” Museveni said.
He said government would continue working with Busoga Kingdom on programmes in education, health, tourism and agriculture, while urging leaders to mobilise communities to move from subsistence farming to commercial production.
Museveni said available infrastructure and opportunities should be used to create household wealth and jobs, particularly for young people.
He also defended the restoration of traditional institutions, saying they enable communities to preserve positive norms, customs and values.
The celebrations were held under the theme “Strengthening our Cultural Norms and Values for Development.”
Gabula rallies youth
The Kyabazinga challenged young people to embrace education, vocational skills and productive economic activities to help transform Busoga.
Gabula said the kingdom, through the Kyabazinga Initiative, had established the Abasadha N’empango programme to fight teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
He said the two challenges were contributing to school dropouts and urged parents and guardians to keep children in school.
“This has caused our young children to drop out of school, something that is not good,” Gabula said.
He also called for support for kingdom programmes in vocational training, coffee and cocoa growing and sports.
The Kyabazinga urged households to use the rainy season to grow food crops to strengthen food security and improve incomes.
Kingdom wants assets returned
Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muvawala renewed the kingdom’s demand for the return of its properties and assets.
Muvawala asked Ms Nabbanja to convey the request to President Museveni, saying a committee formed to address the matter had yet to deliver results.
“A committee was formed for this noble cause of returning our belongings, but up to now, we haven’t seen this happen. This time round, we want this to be effected,” he said.
Leaders hail Gabula
Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, who led the coronation organising committee, commended the Kyabazinga for supporting education through scholarships.
“Our children are getting education because of scholarships,” she said.
Presidency Minister Milly Babalanda said the Kyabazinga’s programmes complemented government efforts to improve household incomes.
State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Mary Kuteesa described Gabula as a bridge between traditional and modern culture.
She also praised Busoga Kingdom for postponing its coronation celebrations following the death of the King of Tooro, describing the gesture as a sign of solidarity among Uganda’s cultural institutions.
Kuteesa urged Basoga to preserve their language by teaching children Lusoga.
The celebrations marked 12 years since Gabula ascended to the Busoga throne on September 13, 2014.
