KAMPALA – The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has officially launched the Office of the Senior Presidential Special Envoy in Charge of Buganda Affairs, describing it as a strategic platform for strengthening relations between the central government and Buganda Kingdom.
The launch ceremony was held on Wednesday, November 11, at Mosa Courts in Nakasero, Kampala, with Babalanda representing the government as Chief Guest.
The office, headed by Mr. Joseph Mukasa Sewava, was established to strengthen communication, consultation and mutual understanding between Mengo and the central government while promoting areas of cooperation for national development.
In her address, Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, commending him for his foresight in establishing the office and recognising the complementary role of cultural institutions in promoting Uganda’s stability, unity and socioeconomic transformation.
She noted that Buganda has played a central role in Uganda’s historical and political development, describing the Kingdom as the nucleus around which much of the country’s political and administrative foundations evolved.
She highlighted the contributions of prominent historical figures, including Semei Kakungulu, Katikkiro Michael Ernest Kawalya Kaggwa and Sekabaka Mutesa I, particularly in the development of Uganda’s administrative structures, electricity and formal education.
The Minister emphasised that Buganda’s progress is inseparable from Uganda’s overall development, urging the Kingdom to remain actively engaged in the country’s socioeconomic transformation agenda.
Babalanda tasked Sewava with strengthening relations between the Kingdom and the central government, emphasising that his appointment carries significant national responsibility beyond occupying a ceremonial office.
She urged him to build trust, maintain open communication, listen objectively to concerns and promote practical cooperation between the Kingdom and the central government.
She explained that the office should serve as a bridge for dialogue, helping to address misunderstandings, appropriately channel concerns and identify areas of mutual interest.
Babalanda said the success of the office would ultimately be measured by the relationships it strengthens and the tangible development outcomes arising from the partnership.
The Minister cited coffee production as a practical example of how cooperation between cultural institutions and government can accelerate economic transformation.
She commended Buganda Kingdom’s Mwanyi Terimba campaign, spearheaded by the Katikkiro, for complementing government efforts to revitalise the coffee sector through initiatives such as the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation, the Parish Development Model and the 4-Acre Model.
She called for similar cooperation in agriculture, enterprise development, tourism, education, health and other sectors that directly affect household welfare.
“The people of Buganda must not remain spectators in Uganda’s economic transformation. They must be active participants and beneficiaries,” she emphasised.
Babalanda particularly commended the Katikkiro for his efforts towards mending the historically strained relationship between Buganda Kingdom and the central government.
She observed that constructive engagement and reconciliation had contributed to strengthening peace, security and national cohesion.
Reflecting on the 2009 Kayunga riots, the Minister described the events as a painful reminder of the consequences of strained institutional relations, cautioning against allowing the country to return to such difficult circumstances.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to consolidating the improved relationship, noting that President Museveni’s decision to appoint a dedicated Special Presidential Envoy was intended to ensure continuous engagement with the Kingdom.
“Dialogue must always triumph over confrontation, and mutual respect must guide our engagements,” she said.
The Minister further tasked Sewava with mobilising the large population of urban and peri-urban poor in Buganda to embrace government wealth-creation initiatives.
She called for collaboration with Buganda Kingdom, religious leaders, local governments and Resident District Commissioners to ensure communities benefit from programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, the GROW Project, the Youth Livelihood Programme and the 4-Acre Model.
She said the government wants to see more households transition from subsistence livelihoods into the money economy, young people become productive, women empowered and communities establish sustainable sources of income.
Babalanda underscored the importance of Buganda’s extensive grassroots structures and moral influence in mobilising communities towards poverty eradication and socioeconomic transformation.
The Minister also appreciated Buganda Kingdom for its longstanding hospitality towards Ugandans from other parts of the country who have settled, established businesses and raised families within the Kingdom.
She described Buganda as an important centre of national integration, urging Ugandans to preserve the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.
“No Ugandan should feel like a stranger in any part of their country,” she said.
She further encouraged religious leaders and other stakeholders to continue promoting peace, tolerance, reconciliation and socioeconomic transformation.
In her concluding remarks, Babalanda reminded Ugandans that poverty and underdevelopment, rather than institutional differences, remain the country’s common challenges.
“Our common enemy is poverty, not one another. Our common challenge is underdevelopment, not institutional differences,” she emphasised.
She congratulated Sewava upon his appointment, urging him to execute his responsibilities with humility, wisdom, patriotism and dedication.
Babalanda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing cordial relations with Buganda Kingdom based on mutual respect, dialogue and shared national interests.
“When Buganda prospers, Uganda prospers. When Buganda is at peace with the central government, the entire country benefits. And when our institutions work together, ordinary Ugandans are the greatest beneficiaries,” she said.
She subsequently declared the Office of the Senior Presidential Special Envoy in Charge of Buganda Affairs officially launched, expressing hope that it would become a lasting bridge of understanding and a catalyst for national development.
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