President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta has once again convened with Buganda clan leaders at State House Entebbe, igniting fresh debates amidst lingering contestations from Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga following a similar meeting last year.

According to a press statement released by the State House Press Unit, the meeting, held over the weekend, saw Museveni engaging with the clan leaders alongside a delegation led by the Minister of State for ICT, Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo.

The primary focus of the interaction revolved around fostering the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) message of wealth creation within the community.

“This was a follow-up meeting, following an interaction between the two parties last year. In the first meeting, the clan leaders requested the President to purchase land for them, a request he responded to affirmatively. In today’s meeting, the leaders expressed their need to construct two buildings on the 2.2-acre piece of land that was gifted to them by the President. They said the buildings will house cultural resource centers such as a museum and a theatre,” the statement elucidated.

Museveni reportedly committed to facilitating the construction of these buildings through the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Engineering Brigade. Additionally, he pledged support to the Bataka Sacco with a sum of Shs200 million.

However, these meetings have not been without controversy, drawing sharp criticism from certain quarters within Buganda, including the Katikkiro.

Critics argue that these engagements, conducted without the knowledge of the Kabaka, who is the Ssabataka, undermine the authority of the kingdom.

Mayiga has previously emphasized the importance of structured meetings with a clear agenda to prevent any potential misunderstandings between the Central government and Mengo.