President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to traditional leaders in the country to emphasize areas of prosperity, strategic security, fraternity and linkages among their subjects rather than laying emphasis more on their differences.
The President was last evening officiating at the Ssekabaka Muteesa II memorial lecture, held at Kampala Sheraton Hotel. The lecture was organized by Sir Edward Mutesa’s family members with support from various stake holders and was held under the theme “Reflections on the Triple Heritage of an African King, Knight and President”.
During the lecture, President Museveni awarded posthumously, the 50th Independence anniversary Jubilee Medal to Sir Edward Mutesa in recognition of his struggle for Uganda’s Independence. He also awarded the Nalubaale Medal to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi for his contribution to the 1981 liberation struggle. Prince David Kintu Wasajja, brother to Kabaka Mutebi and by Prince Jjunju Ssuuna Kiweewa, son of Kabaka Mutebi, received the medals on their behalf.
The President pledged a donation of a vehicle to Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi to ease his movements as he serves his subjects. He also issued a Shs.300 million dummy cheque to the kingdom of Buganda as contribution towards the completion of Kasubi tombs and revealed that government will hand-over Ssekabaka Mutesa’s Rolls Royce car that is currently at the Uganda Museum.
Mr. Museveni who took the gathering through the history of Ugandan politics said the Democratic Party at the time did not agree with Mengo because DP was against two governments in one country.
Mr. Museveni added that there was also the issue of unbalanced recruitment of people to join the Army by the Obote government; unlike today where Army recruitment is at regional level.
Addressing himself to modern settings, he pointed out the problem of Africa is the heavy reliance on human muscle when Europeans have shifted to using machine power and their production has subsequently gone up.
He, therefore, stressed that whether it is traditional, religious or political leaders, they ought to appreciate that their mission as Africans should be based on the prosperity of their people.
“We need to integrate politically, socially, so that we get a big market for our products,” he said.
He emphasized that a civilized society entails the ability and capacity to learn the law of nature, which it tries to tame and utilize for the benefit of man.
“When electricity was discovered, people were able to chase away darkness. When man invented fire, he was able to warm himself,” he said.
The Katikiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga on his part, said that the most important thing for all Ugandans is unity saying that without it we cannot strengthen the statehood of Uganda. He thanked President Museveni for recognizing the role of Kabaka Mutebi and Ssekabaka Mutesa in the liberation struggle and independence of Uganda.
He saluted the family of late Sir Edward Mutesa II for emulating his best examples. “Let us learn from history; let us correct mistakes through learning from our history,” he said.
Researcher Nelson Makubuya, one of the lecture facilitators, thanked the Central Government led by President Museveni for the honour and appreciation of the late Ssekabaka Edward Mutesa’s efforts to liberate Uganda from British colonial.
“Mutesa was an exceptional leader who fought against oppression and contributed to the unity of Uganda and Buganda,” he said.