In a move that further cements ties between the central government and the Buganda Kingdom, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has Friday morning launched the construction of Lwattamu House, a major cultural project that will serve as the official home of the Abataka ba Buganda (Council of Clan Heads).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Kampala, only days after the President donated a fleet of SUVs to the Kingdom’s traditional leadership — a gesture widely seen as a show of respect and support for Buganda’s longstanding cultural institutions.
The new building, a planned six-storied complex, is expected to house offices and also serve as a central meeting point for the Bataka, the revered council tasked with overseeing clan affairs and cultural heritage in the kingdom.
For years, the project remained a dream due to funding constraints — until now.
“This isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of unity and recognition,” said one official from the Kingdom. “It will finally give our leaders a permanent seat of operations, rooted in tradition but facing the future.”
President Museveni, in his remarks, emphasized the role of traditional institutions in preserving Uganda’s identity and fostering development at the grassroots. He called on cultural leaders to work hand-in-hand with the government to address social issues like poverty, education, and health.
“Our culture is a source of strength. If we embrace it, we build not only identity, but also peace and prosperity,” Museveni said.
The construction of Lwattamu House is scheduled to begin immediately, with completion expected within two years. It will stand not just as a physical structure, but as a symbol of renewed cooperation — a rare harmony between political power and cultural pride.
While relations between Buganda and the central government have seen tension in the past, recent developments — including these high-profile gestures — suggest a new chapter of mutual respect and collaboration is beginning to unfold.
By; Aijuka Happy,
Digitalk TV, Media Stringer