Babalanda Launches Buganda Presidential Envoy Office, Tasks Sewava with Strengthening Mengo-Government Relations

The Minister in Charge of the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda, has urged the Buganda Kingdom and the Central Government to strengthen relations through dialogue and mutual understanding, saying their partnership is vital to national unity and socio-economic transformation.

Babalanda made the remarks while officiating at the launch of the Office of the Senior Presidential Special Envoy in Charge of Buganda Affairs at Mosa Courts, Nakasero, Kampala.

The office, headed by Mr Joseph Mukasa Sewava, is intended to provide a permanent channel for engagement between the Buganda Kingdom and the Central Government on matters of mutual interest.

In her address, Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and staff of the Office of the President.

She commended President Museveni for establishing the office, noting that cultural institutions play an important role in promoting national unity and development. She also highlighted Buganda's historical, political and administrative contribution to Uganda, urging its leadership and people to participate actively in the country's socio-economic transformation.

Babalanda tasked Sewava with executing his duties with humility, patriotism and dedication, emphasising that the office should build trust, address concerns and facilitate practical solutions rather than become a ceremonial institution.

"The office must serve as a bridge for dialogue, reconciliation and mutual understanding, not as a ceremonial institution," she said. 

Babalanda urges Buganda to embrace wealth creation

Citing coffee production as an example of successful collaboration, Babalanda commended the Buganda Kingdom's Mwanyi Terimba campaign for complementing Government efforts through NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, the Parish Development Model and the 4-Acre Model.

She urged residents to embrace Government programmes, including PDM, Emyooga, the GROW Project and the 4-Acre Model, to move households from subsistence livelihoods into the money economy.

The Minister said these initiatives offer opportunities to improve household incomes, empower women, create jobs for young people and promote sustainable livelihoods.

She identified agriculture, tourism, education, health and enterprise development as other areas requiring stronger partnerships.

Mayiga praised for improving relations

Babalanda particularly commended the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, for his efforts towards improving the historically strained relationship between the Kingdom and the Central Government.

She reaffirmed Government's commitment to consolidating the progress made, stressing that dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect should take precedence over confrontation.

The Minister also appreciated Buganda's longstanding hospitality towards Ugandans from other parts of the country who have settled, established businesses and raised families within the Kingdom.

She urged citizens to uphold brotherhood, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, with religious leaders and other stakeholders playing an active role in promoting unity.

"Our common enemy is poverty, not one another, and our common challenge is underdevelopment, not institutional differences," she said, calling on Ugandans to focus on addressing challenges affecting their communities.

Congratulating Sewava upon his appointment, Babalanda expressed confidence that the new office would strengthen relations between Mengo and the Central Government.

"When Buganda prospers, Uganda prospers. When our institutions work together, ordinary Ugandans are the greatest beneficiaries," she said.