Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Wilson Tumukunde, on Tuesday urged the country’s traditional and cultural institutions to remain within their legal mandates and build stronger independent systems to manage their affairs.
Speaking at the coronation of Tooro’s new king, Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, Tumukunde warned that growing centres of influence within cultural institutions could become a source of instability if they were not properly managed.
“There is quite a bit of a tendency that there is now a power centre sort of developing in some of these institutions,” Tumukunde said. “I advise that the cultural institutions must manage these power centres to make sure that they do not become a source of instability to the rest of the country.”
Uganda restored its traditional kingdoms in the 1990s after they had been abolished under former president Milton Obote. The 1995 Constitution recognises traditional and cultural leaders but bars them from exercising government administrative, legislative or executive powers and from participating in partisan politics.
Tumukunde said the government and cultural institutions should work together to modernise the kingdoms while preserving their cultural role.
He called for a review of the legal framework governing the institutions and for greater documentation of cultural practices, saying decisions affecting the kingdoms should be based on clear records rather than ad hoc interpretations.
“We must have a record on which to base on when we are making decisions for tomorrow,” he said.
Tumukunde also urged the kingdoms to develop greater financial and institutional independence, warning them not to rely indefinitely on the support and understanding of President Yoweri Museveni.
“I don’t think you will have as kind a president as President Museveni,” he said. “Please, since these are your institutions, give them time … to have your institutions very independent.”
Under Uganda’s Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, traditional leaders are responsible for promoting and preserving cultural values and practices but cannot exercise government powers or participate in partisan politics.
New Tooro king
Tumukunde was speaking as Tooro formally installed Nyabongo I as its 13th monarch, succeeding King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died in August aged 34.
Nyabongo, 56, is a former television news anchor and cousin of the late king. His accession followed a succession dispute involving claims that Oyo had left a son who should inherit the throne. The Babiito royal clan and Uganda’s central government backed Nyabongo’s succession.
The new king has no constitutional political powers, but the Tooro Kingdom retains an important cultural role among its people.
Tumukunde said that role needed to be strengthened through clear rules, documented traditions and institutions capable of managing the kingdom independently.
