Buganda Kingdom, through the Luganda Language Association, has celebrated 75 years of promoting and preserving the Luganda language with a grand cultural dinner (olujuliro) held at Bulange, Mengo.
The milestone event brought together cultural leaders, language experts, and community members to honor the association’s long-standing work in safeguarding one of Uganda’s most influential indigenous languages.
Presiding over the celebration as chief guest, Nnaalinya Lubuga Agnes Nabaloga described Luganda as a cornerstone of Buganda’s identity and heritage.
“Luganda is the heartbeat of Buganda’s heritage, the storehouse of the wisdom of the Baganda, and the true spirit of the people of Buganda,” she said, noting that the anniversary was not only a celebration but a reminder of the responsibility to uphold the purity and richness of the language.
Nnaalinya highlighted that Luganda has survived decades of cultural and linguistic shifts due to deliberate and consistent efforts, despite the dominance of English and other foreign languages in professional and administrative spaces.
She commended the Luganda Language Association for its unwavering commitment to promoting and elevating the language.
She also encouraged Baganda to become active ambassadors of Luganda by teaching it, correcting misuse with patience, and embracing the depth of its vocabulary in daily communication.
Representing the Minister of Culture, the Minister for Community Development, Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, praised the association for its vital contribution to cultural preservation. She noted that the event is now formally part of the Kingdom’s annual cultural calendar.
Nakate further revealed that the Buganda Kingdom has been recognized by the central government under the new national curriculum, which emphasizes teaching Luganda in schools. She applauded the inclusion of several Kingdom proposals in the government’s implementation framework.
The Chairperson of the Luganda Language Association, Grace Lubowa Nansubuga, raised concern over a growing trend of parents giving more attention to girls while neglecting boys, warning that this imbalance harms family and cultural stability. She called on parents to support all their children equally.
Long-serving association member Mr. Kasule Kalule, who has dedicated 50 years to the Luganda Language Association, recounted the organization’s journey since its founding.
He spoke of resistance from critics opposed to the use of Luganda and reminded guests that in the 1950s, the language enjoyed international recognition—including a 15-minute broadcast slot on the BBC and use by Ugandan leaders at the United Nations.
The evening featured presentations on the role and behavior of the modern Muganda in contemporary society, emphasizing the importance of cultural integrity in a changing world.
The ceremony was attended by a distinguished delegation including Nnaalinya Lubuga Agnes Nabaloga, Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko . Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule, Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, members of the Buganda Lukiiko, Augustine Kizito Mutumba (Chairperson, Council of Clan Elders of Obusolya), Ssaalongo Luwangula Basajjansolo (Clan Elder of the Royal Lineage), princes, princesses, and other prominent guests.
The celebration reaffirmed Buganda’s strong commitment to preserving the Luganda language and promoting cultural pride for generations to come.