{UAH} Kabaka In Surprise Kayunga Visit

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Kabaka in surprise Kayunga visit

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Kabaka Mutebi in Entebbe early this year during his birthday celebrations. After visiting Kayunga on Sunday, he proceeded to Buikwe District. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE 

By Fred Muzaale

Posted  Tuesday, October 8   2013 at  01:00

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Kayunga- Business came to a standstill in Bukolooto and Kangulumira towns in Kayunga District on Sunday when the Kabaka made an impromptu appearance in the area, four years after he was blocked from going there.

The government barred Kabaka Mutebi from visiting the district in 2009 over security concerns.

The Kabaka, who had toured and held public rallies in Nakifuma, Kawuku and Kyabakadde towns in Mukono District as part of the kingdom's celebrations for the annual community service day (Bulungi Bwansi), for unknown reasons chose to go to Kayunga.

The speeding convoy entered the district at Ssezibwa bridge at around 6pm, where heavily armed police officers had blocked the then Katikkiro of Buganda, JB Walusimbi, from entering Kayunga in 2009.

When the convoy reached Bukolooto, an ecstatic crowd blocked it, forcing the Kabaka to wave to his subjects.

They demanded that he addresses them before proceeding, but the Kabaka's security instead told his driver to leave.

In Kangulumira, a large crowd that had received news that the Kabaka was heading there, waited for him while some few elders quickly rushed home to put on Kanzus, the traditional official attire for men in Buganda.

It was only after the Kabaka's official pleaded with the crowd to let the king proceed that the residents let his convoy go to Wakisi in Buikwe District.

"Our king, you are welcome to Bugerere (Kayunga). This is your kingdom," an excited elderly man said as he tried to catch a glimpse of the Kabaka. The king's local leaders were also surprised to see him.

"We did not expect him here, but since this is his kingdom, he is free to go to any part he wants at any time," the Bugerere County representative to the Mengo Lukiiko, Mr Ssevunme Musoke, said.

The security organs in the district too expressed ignorance about the visit. "We are just hearing it from people that he came to Kayunga," a security officer, who preferred anonymity, said.

Bunyala says
The Bunyala kingdom spokesperson, Mr James Rwebikire, when contacted about the incident, said he had heard about it. "We now have no problem with the Kabaka visiting Kayunga because the memorandum of understanding between the government and Mengo gave him green light to do so."

fmuzaale@ug.nationmedia.com

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