Buganda clan leaders ask Museveni for a museum

The heads of Buganda clans have asked President Museveni for support toward the construction of a cultural resource complex, which will include a Buganda Museum.

The cultural leaders made the request during a meeting at State House, where they thanked the President for the 2.2-acre land gift, among other topics.

In a statement by State House Press Unit, "The clan leaders expressed their need to construct two buildings on the 2.2-acre piece of land that was gifted to them by the President last year."

“They said the buildings will house cultural resource centers such as a museum and a theater.” the statement reads in part.

The weekend meeting was a follow-up to an engagement between the two sides last year, in which the clan chiefs requested that the President purchase land for them, to which he agreed.

President Museveni agreed to utilise the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade to construct the facilities in response to the clan elders' request in addition to pledging Shs200 million to their Sacco.

Mengo's relations with the central government have been strained in recent years, primarily due to the Buganda kingdom's suspected support for opposition groups. However, analysts believe that such developments are an indication of rekindled ties.

Matters worsened in the 2021 election campaigns when Mengo’s top shots backed Robert Kyagulanyi against President Museveni.

Kyagulanyi eventually defeated Museveni in Buganda. Hundreds of NRM candidates including Ministers were equally defeated by NUP flag-bearers.

Buganda had accused Museveni’s government of committing human rights violations in crushing opposition dissent.

However, Buganda appears to be warming up to Museveni, at least from statements made by clan heads during the State House meeting.