The Ugandan government’s recent donation of 30 new vehicles to officially recognized cultural leaders has stirred public debate, especially due to the notable exclusion of Buganda Kingdom from the beneficiaries.
During the launch of the Traditional Leaders Enhancement Programme held at Kololo Independence Grounds, Vice President Jessica Alupo—speaking on behalf of President Museveni—announced that the initiative was designed to empower traditional leaders to promote cultural values and community development.
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Despite this, questions quickly arose when Buganda Kingdom was absent from the list of recipients. Responding to inquiries, the Kingdom’s Minister of Information, Mr. Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, said Buganda had not received any formal notice about the car donations and was equally surprised by the announcement.
Fueling the controversy, photos of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s brand-new 2024 Lexus LX J30L emerged online. The luxury SUV, reportedly bought by the kingdom as a gift for the Kabaka’s 70th birthday, boasts elite features such as massage seats, ottomans, a V6 twin-turbo engine, and a 10-speed automatic transmission—costing an estimated Shs750 million before taxes. According to insiders at Bulange, the car was purchased using internal funds to replace the Kabaka’s older 1999 Lexus model, aligning with his longstanding preference for Lexus vehicles over other brands.
Reactions on the streets of Kampala were enthusiastic, with locals—particularly boda boda riders—cheering the Kabaka as he waved to them in the new vehicle.
In light of the growing public discussion, Gender Minister Betty Amongi clarified that Buganda and Bugwere Kingdoms had declined the government vehicles. She noted that Buganda’s Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, had emphasized that certain cultural obligations, such as the Kabaka’s transport, were traditionally fulfilled by the kingdom’s subjects. As a result, the government agreed to provide Buganda’s portion as a lump sum instead of a vehicle.
With the Kabaka recently returning from a medical review in Europe, excitement is building among his subjects, who eagerly anticipate his visits across the kingdom. As one trader from Kisekka Market put it, “They bought a car that can take him everywhere because he must be strong enough to tour his people.”
Overall, while the vehicle donation program highlights government support for cultural leadership, it also reveals the complexities of tradition, autonomy, and public perception surrounding Uganda’s most prominent kingdom.
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