Kabaka Mutebi officially launched the Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum on Sunday at Lubaga Cathedral, marking a significant milestone in both the history of the Buganda Kingdom and the Catholic Church in Uganda.
The museum, dedicated to the memory of Kabaka Walugembe Mukaabya Muteesa I, honours his pivotal role in welcoming Christianity to Buganda and fostering dialogue between faith and tradition.
In his message delivered by Second Deputy Katikkiro Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Kabaka Mutebi commended the Catholic Church for immortalizing Muteesa I through a permanent institution that celebrates unity between culture and religion.
“This museum will help us remember the late King Walugembe Mukaabya Muteesa I and the history of our nation as a whole,” the Kabaka said.
“We hope it will help young people understand our heritage and realize that religion should not make us forget our traditions and culture.”
He emphasized the importance of preserving accurate historical accounts, noting that some narratives have at times distorted Buganda’s pre-colonial achievements.
“Sometimes history is misrepresented, which distorts the image of the progress we had made before the arrival of the Europeans,” he added.
The Kabaka expressed gratitude to the Catholic Church for aligning the museum’s opening with the centenary celebrations of Lubaga Cathedral, which marks 100 years since its consecration in 1925.
He also paid tribute to the late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who first envisioned the project, and applauded Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere for bringing it to completion.
“We are grateful to all those who contributed to the realization of this project,” he said, adding that the Buganda Kingdom will continue collaborating with the Church to develop and promote the museum.
Representing the Kabaka, Nsibirwa lauded the museum’s educational and cultural value, describing it as a bridge connecting Buganda’s heritage with Uganda’s religious evolution.
He also commended the Church for maintaining respect for traditional customs, particularly during cultural ceremonies such as funerals and introduction functions (okwanjula).
“This museum is not just a building—it is a bridge between faith, history, and identity,” he said.
Archbishop Ssemogerere, who presided over the blessing of the new museum, thanked God for enabling its completion and honored his predecessor for initiating the vision.
He said the museum stands as a testament to the historic bond between the Church and the Kingdom of Buganda.
“This museum strengthens the historic bond between the Church and the Kingdom of Buganda,” he said.
“It reminds us of Kabaka Muteesa I’s visionary leadership, whose invitation to missionaries paved the way for education and Christianity in Uganda."
He further thanked the Buganda Kingdom for its generosity in providing land that has allowed the Church to grow and flourish over the years and commended the faithful for their continuous support of Church initiatives.
The Kabaka Muteesa I Catholic Memorial Museum showcases artifacts, archival documents, and exhibits chronicling the intertwined story of Buganda’s faith, governance, and nationhood.
Among its highlights is the historic letter written by Kabaka Muteesa I to Queen Victoria of England, inviting teachers and missionaries to Buganda—an exchange that marked the dawn of Christianity in Uganda.
Through its collections, the museum aims to educate future generations on Buganda’s pre-colonial development, the introduction of Christianity, and the lasting partnership between the Kingdom and the Catholic Church
The launch of the museum marks a new chapter in preserving Uganda’s cultural and spiritual heritage, offering a space for reflection on the vision of Kabaka Muteesa I and his enduring influence on the nation’s identity.