Museveni Warns Traditional Leaders Against Interfering in Politics

By Skika Reporter.

President Yoweri Museveni has warned Uganda’s traditional and cultural leaders against meddling in politics, saying policymaking, legislation and administration should remain the responsibility of elected government officials.

Museveni made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing kings and other cultural leaders during a two-day Cultural Leaders Conference at State House, Entebbe, which focused on national unity, cultural preservation and economic development.

He said traditional leaders should concentrate on their cultural responsibilities, describing them as parents to their communities, while allowing elected officials to manage public affairs and professional judges to handle judicial matters.

Museveni argued that elected leaders are accountable to voters, who can remove them from office if they fail to perform, unlike traditional leaders whose positions are inherited.

He urged cultural leaders not to interfere in the affairs of their adult subjects, comparing their responsibilities to those of parents who allow their grown-up children to manage their own households.

The President also revisited Uganda’s political history, particularly the tensions between traditional kingdoms and early post-independence governments. He criticised former Prime Minister Milton Obote for abolishing kingdoms through what he described as deception and force.

Museveni contrasted Obote’s approach with that of former Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka, whom he said had openly communicated the limits of traditional institutions. He accused Obote of initially appearing to support federalism before using force to abolish the kingdoms without proper consultation.

He explained that his government restored traditional institutions after recognising their importance in preserving cultural identity, but said they had to surrender responsibilities relating to policy formulation, legislation, administration and adjudication.

Among the cultural leaders who attended the conference was the Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, alongside representatives of Bunyoro-Kitara and other traditional institutions.

However, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, and the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, were absent from the meeting.