Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has praised Buganda’s clan chiefs for their pivotal role in safeguarding the kingdom’s cultural values and heritage.
His remarks were delivered in a statement read by the Buganda Kingdom’s First Deputy Katikkiro, Prof Twaha Kaawaase, at Mengo during the closing of the annual Bataka workshop themed “Amaka ye mmererezo yobuntu” (Families are the foundation of humanity).
“I commend the clan chiefs of my kingdom for organising this workshop aimed at preserving our culture, particularly at a time when families in Buganda are fragmenting due to the erosion of our cultural values,” the Kabaka said.
He lauded the chiefs for their unwavering commitment to protecting the Buganda throne and urged them to continue engaging with his subjects, encouraging them to preserve the indigenous Luganda language, traditional dress, customary foods, traditional marriages, weddings, and other cultural rituals facing decline due to modernisation.
The Kabaka instructed clan chiefs to organise similar workshops within their respective clans and to reach out to his subjects living abroad.
The workshop addressed key topics, including personal etiquette, sanitation, personal hygiene, proper use of the Luganda language, customary marriage practices, last funeral rites, child upbringing, respect for elders, truthfulness, patience, and justice.
The event drew participants from various clans, including Ndiga, Nsenene, Nsuma, Nvuma, Nvubu, Ndisa, Nakinsige, Njovu, Mbwa, Mpologoma, Musu, Balangira Babiito from Kooki, Balangira Babiito from Sanje, Kasimba, Fumbe, Kayozi, Lugave, Mbogo, Mamba Gabunga, Nkima, Mamba Kakoboza, Namungoona, Ngeye, Ngo, Njaza, Kinyomo, and Obutiko, among others.
The Bataka played a vital role in the restoration of the kingdom in 1993 which had been abolished by the Obote regime in 1966.
