{UAH} Why Omugyenyi Museveni will never restore Ankole Kingdom

By HRH Crown Prince al-Gwoktoum, Garamba Caliphate 

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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has consistently avoided restoring the Ankole Kingdom, even though other traditional kingdoms in Uganda have been reinstated. This decision is influenced by several political, historical, and personal factors:

1. Lack of Popular Demand in Ankole

Unlike other regions in Uganda where cultural institutions are deeply ingrained in the community's identity, the restoration of the Ankole Kingdom has not been a universally strong demand among the Banyankole people. Museveni has often cited this as a reason, arguing that the Banyankole do not overwhelmingly support the kingdom's revival.

2. Political Implications

Restoring the Ankole Kingdom could potentially shift political dynamics in the region. Museveni, who hails from Ankole, may fear that a powerful cultural institution could create an alternative power center, threatening his political influence. This is particularly significant given that traditional kingdoms often play a role in shaping local allegiances and opinions.

3. Historical Controversies

The abolition of traditional kingdoms in Uganda in 1967 under Milton Obote's regime ended their official status. When kingdoms were restored in 1993, Ankole was left out due to internal divisions within the Banyankole. These divisions—primarily between the Bahima (cattle keepers) and Bairu (cultivators)—remain unresolved, making the restoration of the kingdom a contentious issue.

4. Museveni's Strategic Interests

Museveni has always prioritized maintaining a unified national identity over fostering ethnic or cultural divisions. Restoring the Ankole Kingdom might exacerbate existing ethnic tensions within the region. By keeping Ankole's monarchy dormant, Museveni avoids reigniting conflicts that could undermine regional stability.

5. Personal Views on Monarchy

Museveni's stance on traditional kingdoms has been pragmatic. While he supported the restoration of other kingdoms as a political tool to gain support, his reluctance to restore Ankole could stem from personal beliefs or the potential for local kingdoms to limit central government authority.

6. Internal Disputes Over Leadership

There is disagreement within Ankole over who should lead the kingdom if it were restored. The current heir, Prince John Barigye, was not widely accepted, even before his passing in 2011. These unresolved disputes further complicate any restoration efforts.

Museveni's reluctance to restore the Ankole Kingdom is therefore a calculated decision, influenced by a combination of historical complexities, political considerations, and his own strategic priorities.

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