Burning cultural sites will only strengthen Buganda - Katikkiro

Vigilant. Eng. Walusimbi cautioned the Baganda to remain vigilant and protect their property.

Buganda Katikkiro John Baptist Walusimbi yesterday said the kingdom’s enemies who were torching its cultural sites to weaken it are wasting time.

Addressing the 5th Lukiiko (Parliament) session at Mengo, Eng. Walusimbi said Buganda’s strength lies elsewhere and whoever believed that burning Naggalabi Coronial Site and Kasubi Royal Tombs would diminish the kingdom’s influence and strength is mistaken.

“We have continued to experience terrible challenges, including the burning down of our cultural sites. They are instead making us much stronger,” the Katikkiro said.

He said while Baganda should remain calm and vigilant to protect their property, government should release investigations report into the Kasubi tombs to avoid suspicion.

The Naggalabi Coronation Site was burnt last week. Police said unknown people were behind the mysterious fire. This is the second key kingdom traditional site in less than four years to be destroyed by a mysterious fire.

The Lukiiko also demanded for an immediate release of Budo Junior School inferno report, saying the delay may create false suspicion. But the Presidential Press Secretary, Mr Tamale Mirundi, asked Mengo to remain patient since there was nothing to hide.

Burning cultural sites will only strengthen Buganda - Katikkiro
“The way government operates is totally different from the way Mengo does. It clear that government responded immediately when the tombs were gutted and it is the very government which instituted an inquiry committee,” Mr Mirundi said on phone.

Meanwhile, police are investigating a youth group which claims to work under Buganda kingdom. Police yesterday said the group started as a unit agitating for Buganda rights has exceeded its mandate by involving itself in crime.

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Kampala, the commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Mr Simon Kaweesi, said they would not tolerate any form of disorder.
which will cause chaos in the city and elsewhere.

The unit which started as a small group in Kiseka Market has established other units in Kasubi and the latter allege that they work under Mengo, a constituent of Buganda kingdom.
They have been involved in different criminal activities the latest being in Naggalabi at a scene of fire where they illegally broke down peoples’ houses claiming that they did not have permission to construct on Buganda land.