Kabaka Mutebi gives motorcycles to Buganda's sub-county chiefs

Buganda Kingdom has 174 sub-county chiefs and 174 deputies.

Prof. Twaha Kaawaase, the First Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda said the Kingdom would not provide all the sub-county chiefs with motorcycles at a go.

This means, he said, other chiefs shall be given motorcycles at a later stage, as budgeted by the Kingdom.

“We can’t provide all 348 sub-county chiefs motorcycles at once. But the finance minister promised that those who have not received, they are provided for in the coming financial year budget,” he said.

The motorcycles, Kaawaase explained, are to help the sub-county chiefs carry out their leadership roles at the grassroots. This includes initiating projects to help the Kingdom’s subjects and protecting the kingdom’s land in different sub-counties.

In the past few months, Kingdom leaders have received transport facilitation, beginning in December 2021, when the Kabaka gave Toyota Harriers to each of the 18 Saza chiefs.

At the time, Katikkiro (prime minister) Charles Peter Mayiga said the cars would help the Masaza (County) chiefs access some counties which were not readily accessible and ensure they, the Saza chiefs, effectively carry out Kingdom activities.

The cars were also procured by the Kingdom Treasury after being budgeted for in the 2021/2022 financial year. The servicing and fueling of the vehicles, however, is to be done by the Saza chiefs.

Buganda Kingdom’s budget is shaped by funds from busuulu (ground rent) and envujju (tribute), kanzu (tunic), debt repayment from the Central Government, student school fees, development partners, sports activities, Buganda Kingdom certificates, communication stations, tourism and other sources.

There are 14 million Baganda (singular Muganda; often referred to simply by the root word and adjective, Ganda) make up the largest Ugandan region, representing approximately 26.6% of Uganda’s population.

Kabaka is the title of the King of Buganda Kingdom, in central Uganda.

According to the traditions of the Baganda they are ruled by two kings, one spiritual and the other secular. The spiritual, or supernatural, king is represented by the Royal Drums, regalia called Mujaguzo and, as they always exist, the Buganda at any time will always have a king. Mujaguzo, like any other king, has his own palace, officials, servants and palace guards.

The material, human prince has to perform special cultural rites on the Royal Drums before he can be declared king of Buganda. Upon the birth of a royal prince or princess, the Royal Drums are sounded by drummers specially selected from a specified clan as a means of informing the subjects of the kingdom of the birth of a new member of the royal family. The same Royal Drums are sounded upon the death of a reigning king to officially announce the death of the material king. According to Buganda culture, a king does not die but gets lost in the forest. Inside Buganda's royal tombs such as the Kasubi Tombs and the Wamala Tombs, one is shown the entrance of the forest. It is a taboo to look beyond the entrance.

The current Kabaka of Buganda is Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II. He is the 36th Kabaka of Buganda.