Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has reservations over yesterday’s high-profile meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi at meeting Nakasero State Lodge.

The meeting followed widespread response to President Museveni’s outbursts during his Heroes’ Day speech at Kololo Airstrip where he described the Mailo Land System in Buganda as ‘very bad’.

Museveni on Mailo land

The President then blasted: “It is really very bad and not fair but some people support it. How do you allow these things to happen?”

Kabaka on mailo land

Kabaka Mutebi in his speech on his 18th coronation celebrations in Masaka, said: “We condemn those who deliberately create a situation to derail us from reminding government on what belongs to us. We have heard many people discuss about land in Buganda and many have said it is curtailing Uganda’s development. This is not true. Those who say this want to weaken the kingdom of Buganda.”

The Buganda King went on: “Such things bring sorrow to our hearts and make us question why land in other parts of the country is not mentioned. Buganda does not or has never wished to split from Uganda, neither has it and will never kick other citizens out. Why is the Buganda spirit of welcoming everyone being misinterpreted as a weakness?”

Museveni-Kabaka meeting

President Museveni then shared pictures of himself and the Kabaka at Nakasero State Lodge confirming that a meeting took place which he described as ‘mutual interest’.

Museveni tweeted: “Held a meeting with His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II at Nakasero State Lodge. His Majesty was in the company of Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga and Prince David Wasajja. We discussed matters of mutual interest.”

In the pictures, the President share, the Kabaka was accompanied by the Buganda Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga and Prince Daudi Kintu Wassajja.

Katikkiro confirms meeting

Katikkiro Mayiga took to his official Twitter handle to confirm the meeting between the two power-holders.

“Ssaabasajja Kabaka akyaddeko mu maka g’obwa President e Nakasero eggulo lya leero n’ayanirizibwa
@KagutaMuseveni. Ssaabasajja awerekeddwako Omulangira David Kintu Wasajja, Omutaka Namwama Augustine Mutumba, nange. President ne Kabaka boogedde ku nsonga ezitali zimu.”

“Kabaka visited the President at his home in Nakasero today and was welcomed by @KagutaMuseveni. Kabaka was accompanied by Prince David Kintu Wasajja, Head of Kabaka’s Land Namwama Augustine Mutumba and I. President and Kabaka talked about several issues.”

Lord Mayor Lukwago on meeting

While appearing on NBS Barometer show later Tuesday, Lord Mayor Lukwago welcomed the meeting between the President and the Kabaka but had reservations.

Lord Mayor Lukwago submitted: “I trust the Kabaka, but I don’t trust that Mr. Museveni will stick to the agreements made regarding Mailo land.”

Lord Mayor Lukwago held: “Issues of ebyaffe (Buganda properties) are still pending. Mr. Museveni is being deceitful in handling it.”

Minister Kasolo on meeting

However, fellow panelist on the show, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Micro-Finance) Haruna Kasolo, assured: “Kabaka has demonstrated that it is not wrong to meet the President like many people think.”

Minister Kasolo challenged Lord Mayor Lukwago when he stated: “Unlike previous governments, this one is consulting people before making land reforms. Kabaka is the biggest landlord, that is why he has been consulted too. Very soon, MPs will be gathering views from their constituencies.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFySNMBzDDI