The Katikiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has always been put under fire, and specifically tasked to unconditionally explain the lately mysterious whereabouts of the Kabaka, Ssabasajja Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
Kabaka’s subjects started becoming suspicious concerning the whereabouts of their King when he was secretly rushed to Nairobi to treat him for a strange illness. Some local reports however indicated that he had been poisoned. Other sources even pronounced him dead.
The Kingdom refuted all such reports and ascertained that the Kabaka was well and fine.
When previously asked where the Kabaka is, the Buganda Kingdom premier quickly responds in Luganda that; “Kabaka gyali ku Namulondo ye alamula,” to translate to “The King is sitting on his throne, reigning over his kingdom.”
Trust In Mayiga Lost, Where’s Our Kabaka? – Subjects Demand Again!…
Buganda subjects believed Mayiga’s words for a moment, until early March this year when Ssabasajja didn’t show up at a major function he never misses.
Baganda raised eyebrows when the Kabaka didn’t show up at the annual soccer finals of the Buganda Masaza Cup where he is traditionally the chief guest every year. The Katikiro represented him on the occasion.
The Masaza Cup final game between Gomba and Buddu was reportedly pushed from an earlier date to the 6th of March this year, to accommodate the Kabaka’s presence. He was still not able to make it.
This raised suspicion, as that was the same moment when the Buganda subjects were already suspecting foul play, after their ruler had taken a long time without appearing in public.
Buganda: Kabaka Is At His Private Residence In Banda…
Reliable sources from inside the Kingdom confirmed that the Kabaka is currently residing at his Banda Palace.
The Banda Palace is the Private Residence of Ssaabasajja Kabaka. It was built by His Majesty in 1993 after his coronation, on the land he inherited from his late maternal grandfather, Christopher Mbabali Sekuma.
Banda Palace is located on Banda estate in Kyadondo County in Kampala. Banda Palace is a working royal residence which houses the private offices of Ssaabasajja Kabaka and the offices of those who support the day-to-day activities and duties of His Majesty and the members of the Royal Family. The Palace also houses Ssaabasajja Kabaka’s Tennis court.
The Palace is privately managed by Nkuluze and is not open to visitors.
Kabaka Spotted In Banda
The royal entourage, consisting of the Kabaka’s convoy and his car were seen heading towards the royal Palace from Jinja road last week. All the cars were moving at a “catch me if you can” speed with all car windows raised up.
The Kabaka was among the crew; as the car in which he always moves in – a Toyota Land Cruiser marked with a symbol of the royal shield of Buganda was spotted on the road too.
According to our dependable sources, theGrapevine can reliably confirm that the Kabaka came back from Nairobi, Kenya where he had gone to meet “Friends of Buganda” and check on his sick mother Namasole Siwoza who was bed ridden abroad.
Why Is The Kabaka “Hiding” In Banda?
Buganda Historians describe the Kabaka as a noble and and unique figure who shouldn’t necessarily be accessible to everyone at any given time they wish.
Buganda history further decorates the Kabaka as a distinguished character who does according to his will, which will is also never questioned. The Kabaka is answerable to none, and doing so is highly abominable.
And besides, the Kabaka doesn’t necessarily need to leave his Palace to work, because his Palace is also his office space, but a sect of doubting Baganda have continuously demanded to just set their eyes on him to believe if he’s well.
If he has not willed to come out to the public, he will not and no one can question that, for he’s the Kabaka – a man of perfect judgement.
However, Omulangira Akalemanjovu, a royal Muganda descendant of Prince David Ssimbwa also noted that; “For the great love and friendship the people have towards their Kabaka, they have the right to demand where their beloved King is.”
“The Kabaka is the chief, the subjects should be knowing where he is. Even anciently, history indicates that whenever the Kabaka was away from his Palace, his subjects were made aware.
“Even Kabaka Muteesa II, the father to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi made all his movements and plans open. Even when he went hunting in Ndaiga, Bunyoro or any other place, the subjects were made known of the development,” Akalemanjovu narrated.
He added that; “If the Kabaka starts making secret trips, he seems more like he’s in exile in his own land in which he reigns, and that is so unappealing.”
Life and the world might have have grossly changed but traditionally, the Kabaka was initially meant to be a very accessible person, and it didn’t require going through another person to access him.
Unlike now, the Kabaka’s Palace was not out of bounds to subjects. But for so many social – mainly security, political and other reasons, the Kabaka is a a very rare person to his own subjects. Very rare that those who get the unique chance to meet him can only count themselves lucky.
By Baron Kironde
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