The Kabaka’s coronation: A sultan, politician and joyful affair

By View Team

What started as a drive would climax in an event-packed coronation for the Kabaka, a king in the Buganda kingdom. First a man, Abubakar Ssentongo would get himself a house. Ssentongo, also a subject of the Kabaka who lives in Katabi sub-county is an old man battling a severe spinal cord impairment.

Sadly with over 10 children and a wife to provide for, the man had found himself in a dire situation. So, together with Habitat for Humanity, and as part of his drive to the coronation, the Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi gifted Ssentongo a house. Yes, a house!

Fast-forward to the coronation day, the Sultan of Sokoko Caliphate in Nigeria, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar was present in the event graced by thousands. The extremely excited crowd gathered at Nkumba University, in Katabi town within in Wakiso District. As is norm, a county is graced with the opportunity to organize and host the event and this year, it was Busiro county, ardent subjects of their king.

With the theme ‘the role of Cultural Leaders in Providing Health and Education’ the event seemed to have attracted a host of local politicians. Hard to miss was vocal singer cum legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi better known as Bobi Wine. Though he couldn’t attend, the President was also very well represented by his Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who brought with him a Shs50million contribution towards the coronation preparations.

Note that this event is the anniversary of the day the Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi was crowned king. It must also be remembered that the cultural leader was first coroneted still in Busiro county in 1993. This came as a commitment by government to re-instate traditional leaders and let monarchies thrive within our national politics.