By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni is set to launch a nationwide dialogue with Uganda’s traditional and cultural leaders in a move aimed at strengthening collaboration on national development and the country’s future, Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has revealed.
Speaking during a special meeting with the Buganda Kingdom Cabinet at Bulange, Mengo, on Monday, Alupo disclosed that Museveni intends to begin the initiative by holding a dedicated meeting with Buganda’s chiefs before extending the engagement to cultural leaders from across the country. She said the President personally tasked her with conveying the message to Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, requesting that the kingdom organizes its chiefs in preparation for the interaction.
“President Museveni is embracing this dialogue. He is interested in taking this dialogue further and personally getting involved. He asked me to tell you, Owekitiibwa, that you arrange all the chiefs of Buganda and prepare them so that he can have interaction with them when they are ready,” Alupo said.
According to the Vice President, the engagement with Buganda chiefs will pave the way for a broader national meeting involving all recognized cultural leaders in Uganda. She explained that the discussions will focus on the country’s future and explore how traditional institutions and government can work together to improve the welfare of Ugandans.
“After he meets the chiefs of Buganda, the President will appoint another special day where he will meet all cultural leaders in Uganda to discuss the future of our country and how to work together as leaders for the betterment of all the people of Uganda,” she added.
The planned dialogue comes at a time when government has increasingly emphasized the role of cultural institutions in promoting unity, preserving heritage and complementing national development efforts. While traditional leaders do not engage in partisan politics under Uganda’s Constitution, they remain influential in mobilizing communities and advancing social and economic initiatives.
Responding to the Vice President’s remarks, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga welcomed the proposed engagement, saying the kingdom is ready to deepen cooperation with the central government on programmes that directly benefit citizens.
“We’re eager to work with the central government on different programmes that directly affect the people of Buganda. The Kingdom of Buganda is very cosmopolitan; everyone from Uganda is here. So when services are extended to the people in Buganda, every other Ugandan is a beneficiary,” Mayiga said.
The anticipated meetings are expected to provide a platform for government and cultural institutions to discuss shared priorities, including service delivery, social development and national cohesion, as Uganda continues to pursue its long-term development agenda.
