NATIONAL NEWS NEW VISION, Monday, August 1, 2016 5 Kabaka a pillar of unity — royalists By Andrew Ssenyonga and Simon Sekidde

During a coulourful ceremony to mark Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s 23 years on the throne yesterday, Buganda royalists applauded the Kabaka for spearheading development and remaining a pillar of unity in the kingdom. Thousands of the Kabaka’s royalists thronged Kabasanda playgrounds in Butambala district, where the main celebrations were held. Mutebi assumed the throne as the 36th Kabaka in 1993, 27 years after former president Dr. had dethroned his father and banned monarchies in in 1966. Supreme Mufti Sheikh Silliman Ndilangwa lauded the Kabaka for Mutebi (right) welcoming the Kyabazinga of Busoga promoting unity, saying he has played a big role in uniting the Muslims in Uganda, the people of Buganda and Uganda at large. “For the past 23 years, the Kabaka has played a big part to see that a number of people are united unlike in the past,” he said. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga also praised the Kabaka for his role in ensuring that the people of Buganda are united. Mayiga reported to the Kabaka that because of his “presence on the throne”, members of different political parties in Uganda now dine and wine together irrespective of their political differences. “I want to report to you (Kabaka) that because of your good leadership, Kabaka Mutebi’s subjects carrying him. Photos by Donald Kirya you can now see a number of different legislators who subscribe to different The Kabaka arriving at Kabasanda playgrounds political parties sit, dine and wine together. Members of the National Resistance Movement, Forum roast meat; a sign he said symbolises for Democratic Change and the The Kabaka the love and happiness showed by the Democratic Party can sit together at a people from Butambala. function. This was not the trend before The Kabaka thanked the media you assumed the throne,” Mayiga applauded Buganda for promoting development, unity told the Kabaka, who was clad in a and protection of the throne. This white tunic (), the traditional youth for developing prompted a number of journalists to barkcloth and leopard skin. bow before the Kabaka. In his brief remarks, the Kabaka Ahead of the main celebrations, a applauded the youth in Buganda for the kingdom number of activities were undertaken developing the kingdom. He said which included a public lecture, the spirit the youth have exhibited in and Richard Semakokiro and princess community service, games and a supporting the Ettofali-fundraising Katrina Sangalyambo among others. medical camp. project and other kingdom projects, For the first time, the Kabaka At least 4,000 people received free indicates that they truly love the received a 23-drum salute in honour medical treatment and checkup at a kingdom. of his 23 years on the throne. The health camp organised at Butambala The Kabaka was also shown the two- ceremony kicked off on a good note county headquarters in Kabasanda. year-old girl he immunised in 2014 in Gifts were given to the Kabaka with a half marathon that attracted a Dr Ben Mukwaya, the Buganda Ngando sub-county and named her number of participants, including the health minister, said the camp was Betty Nalwadda. IV, members from the Bunyoro demands that he spends a night in Kabaka who was the chief convener. intended to offer free HIV/AIDS Among those in attendance Kingdom, Members of Parliament his palace in a host county. He was Usually on occasions such as the counselling and testing, cancer and were dignitaries from the central and religious leaders. in the company of the royal family led coronation, the congregation is served sickle cell screening, dental and government, the Kyabazinga of The Kabaka spent a night in by the Nabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda. with a cake, but this time round, the eye care, blood donation and safe Busoga, Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope Butambala because tradition Others present were princes Junju Kabaka celebrated his coronation with male circumcision. UWA seeking investors for Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth parks By Gerald Tenywa facility at Karuma near River Nile. industry. gross domestic product per year. and Martin Kitubi Karuma sits on the - “We have yearned to encourage In 1995, Uganda signed a 30-year Gulu highway and is a gateway into BETWEEN THE LINES: Ugandans to join tourism, but monopoly agreement with Madhvani The Uganda Wildlife Authority northern Uganda and South . QTourism in Uganda contributes accommodation costs scare them off,” Group. According to the agreement, (UWA) is seeking investors in The Packwach highway connects over sh5 trillion to the gross he said. no other person would set up a accommodation facilities in two of to the Kampala-Gulu highway at domestic product per year. He added that UWA wanted to lucrative business in a radius of 25 Uganda’s largest protected areas, Karuma. change the course of tourism, but miles from Paara and Chobe Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls The statement also highlights Marasa Holdings runs concessions they were held by the concession lodges at Murchison Falls National national parks. that UWA is seeking investments at at Para and Chobe in Murchison Falls agreements. According to Gessa, Park and Mweya at Queen Elizabeth “UWA now seeks to enter into Kigezi Wildlife Reserve, Ishasha and National Park and Mweya in Queen many tourists at Queen Elizabeth National Park. concession agreements with eligible Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Elizabeth. National Park opt to stay in Kasese However, the monopoly ended investors to develop and manage This follows protracted discussions Speaking to New Vision yesterday at and the surrounding areas with more in 2010, after negotiations with accommodation facilities,” stated an that led to the lifting of exclusion zones the UWA headquarters in Kampala, affordable accommodation. the Madhvani Group, in efforts UWA press notice. that were embedded in agreements Simplicious Gessa, the public The tourism industry in Uganda by the Government to encourage The wildlife agency named the between UWA and Marasa Holdings, relations officer for UWA, said until is a major driver to employment, competition in the tourism industry, concessions as Rabongo and Bugungu a tourism business run by the recently, not many investors were investment and foreign exchange thereby encourage more potential and with a high-end accommodation Madhvani Group of Companies. interested in sinking money into the contributing over sh5 trillion to the vibrant investors.