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Mutebi: I'm a King Without Any Power
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The Monitor (Kampala)February 16, 2004
Posted to the web February 16, 2004
Sam Dick Kasolo
Banda Government returned structures to Buganda Kingdom but not its power, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has said.Mutebi said this on Saturday while meeting his subjects of the Abaganda Tulimukulya nga Katonga Ajuula Association at his palace in Banda, on the outskirts of Kampala.
Traditional leaders are not supposed to get involved in politics in Uganda but Kabaka Mutebi said his lack of meaningful authority has frustrated his efforts to help his subjects.As an example, he said: "Most of the environment in Buganda is being abused but since I am a king without powers, I can't do much about it."At the same function, Mutebi called for a federal system of government that will give him power.
The Kabaka appealed to association members to plan for the future of the kingdom rather than get bogged down in daily arguments.Led by their chairman, Mr Eriya Luzinda, the members of the association praised the Kabaka for his wise leadership and for uniting the Baganda.
Before former President Milton Obote abolished kingdoms in 1966, the Kabaka had immense powers.For example he could tax his subjects. Not anymore. Currently, the Constitution requires traditional leaders to remain cultural heads without political power, something the Baganda have gently opposed.
"The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth becomes the greatest enemy of the state."
- Dr. Joseph M. Goebbels - Hitler's propaganda minister
