Buganda declines as Museveni gifts 30 SUVs to cultural leaders worth Shs12bn
The government is today officially handing over luxury vehicles to traditional and cultural leaders from across the country, in a ceremony presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The handover, featuring top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruisers and Prados, is part of an initiative to ease the transport needs of cultural leaders as they execute their responsibilities within their communities.
It is also seen as a gesture aimed at strengthening the relationship between the central government and Uganda’s diverse cultural institutions.
Among the beneficiaries are leaders from prominent kingdoms and chiefdoms, including Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga, Tooro, Acholi, and several others.
Vice President Alupo is expected to deliver remarks on behalf of President Museveni, reaffirming the government’s appreciation of the critical role cultural leaders play in fostering peace, unity, and development.
The ceremony has drawn a large and diverse crowd, including Members of Parliament, religious figures, local government officials, and citizens, who view the gesture as a meaningful recognition of Uganda’s cultural heritage.
According to government officials, the vehicle donation is part of a broader strategy to support traditional leadership structures and promote national cohesion through cultural empowerment and respect.
Betty Amongi, the minister of Gender, said the vehicles aim to enhance the mobility, visibility, and service delivery of cultural leaders in their respective jurisdictions. The vehicles cost the taxpayers a total of Shs 12 billion (Each Toyota Land Cruiser V8 cost Shs 500 million while a Toyota Hilux cost Shs 300 million)
Notably, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, was the only cultural leader among the 15 who did not receive vehicles at this event.
Amongi said Buganda kingdom officials had told them it is against the norm “for the Kabaka to be looked after by the central government.”
The exclusion of the Kabaka, a significant cultural figure, may raise questions about the program’s implementation or underlying tensions, such as those historically noted between the Buganda Kingdom and the central government over issues like land tenure
Alupo, representing President Museveni at the event, emphasized the critical role of cultural leaders in preserving traditional sites such as palaces and burial grounds, and in promoting cultural tourism.
She highlighted their contributions to fostering peace, unity, and socio-economic transformation in their communities. Alupo reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting cultural leaders in these efforts.
