Any average adult Ugandan knows that the Kingdom of Buganda was abolished following the Battle of Mengo, on 24th May, 1966. Similarly, it is common knowledge that the Kingdom was restored in 1993.

 However, very few people can tell you authoritatively what led to the conflict between independent Uganda's first Prime Minister, Apollo Milton Obote and the Kabaka of Buganda, Edward Muteesa II, who also doubled as the first President of Uganda. Neither can one find many people who know the inside story that saw to the re-birth of Buganda's nearly one-thousand-year cultural institution.

 Most of the stories told with regard to the abolition, and, now, the restoration, are told by active politicians. In main, they are recounted with a political twist, motivated by the desire to defend or justify their stand viz-a-viz Buganda. Hence, Obote, or the UPC regimes, would cite "Ekiteeso Lwasa Mayinja", that Lukiiko resolution that purportedly called upon the Central Government to be taken off Buganda's soil, as the reason for the disastrous events of 1966.

 As regards the restoration, President Yoweri Museveni gives himself the credit for the coronation of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the restitution of some of Buganda's properties and whatever other tenets of the Kingdom that its inhabitants may be enjoying.

 The truth, however, is that tales by the political players are only half the story. The full extent has been brought to the fore by an ardent subject of the Kabaka, minister at Mengo and Kampala prominent advocate, Charles Peter Mayiga.

 Mayiga has been closely related to the Mengo Establishment since 1991. He was there as the Ssaabataka's Supreme Council (SSC), the first forum that led the crusade of the restoration, was launched.

 He was there as the SSC struggled to have Ssaabataka Mutebi crowned; as it strived to wrest Buganda's properties from the Central Government; as the first "Kabaka's Government" took its first steps since 1966; and as the Kingdom initiated development programmes.

 Mayiga has witnessed the challenges that Buganda has faced as she tried to protect and promote her heritage. Indeed he was arrested last year apparently for standing firmly with his King when the Government introduced the Land Bill that Mengo perceived as outlandish, and a negation of the Kingdom's aspirations.

 It is therefore not far fetched to say that Mayiga has been a factor in the processes that have led to the central region of Uganda being referred to yet again as a "Kingdom". His contribution to the re-birth of Buganda has been crystallized in the book he has authored: "KING ON THE THRONE, The Story of The Restoration of The Kingdom of Buganda".

 This 422 page story starts with a brief background to 1966 Crisis, and shows the struggle that Buganda put forth as she yearned for the resurrection of the monarchy. The concentration of the account covers the NRM regime. It gives an insight into the social- economic initiatives started by the Kabaka and/or Mengo.

 At the end it highlights Buganda's unyielding determination to preserve the intricacies of her history, in face of the interests of the current regime and all the other political actors in Uganda.

 An attempt is made to offer solutions to this complex problem which is codenamed the Buganda Question.

"King on the Throne" is a must read for politicians, university undergraduates, researchers, sociologists, constitutional lawyers and any others who may be interested in a lasting solution to the Mengo-Kampala relations, or for simply sheer reading pleasure.

 The book is written in simple, clear and interesting narrative. It is written with considerable candors, although there are some would-be interesting issues which the author chose not to disclose at this point in time. 

 Kabaka Mutebi has written to Mayiga commending him upon this milestone.

Interested readers can get themselves copies from all major book stores including Aristoc, St. Paul Book Center, Angellina Bookshop, Bulange, EkitooberoRestaurant, Ninaz Restaurant and many other outlets. It goes for only Ugandan Shillings 27,500/-

Note

Those in the UK can remit £15 (postage fee inclusive) to VINCENT KASAMBULA

The book will be mailed to your address upon remittance of the money.