The 1966 Buganda Crisis is remembered, among the Baganda, with sorrow. Kabaka Edward Muteesa II, also Uganda’s first president, fled to exile following the invasion of his palace at Lubiri in Kampala by former president Milton Obote’s government forces.
As the Kabaka was helped by his subjects from Kampala across the Tanzanian-Tanzania border to exile, he carried with him a few personal effects, including a cushion now known as Omutto gwa Ssekabaka Muteesa (Kabaka Muteesa’s cushion).
It is believed that Kabaka Muteesa used to sit on this cushion for rest or while sleeping on the way during his escape. That cushion will be one of the main attractions at this year’s 8th edition of Buganda Tourism Expo, which opens tomorrow.
“We got it from the person who helped him escape into exile,” said Christopher Sebuliba, the executive director of Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board.
The board, that is the main organiser of the week-long event, is charged with the responsibility of managing and developing Buganda’s tourism attractions. Various items of cultural and historical importance will be exhibited. They include the first Luganda Bible and the first radio in Buganda.
“In the recent years, we have been asking Kabaka’s subjects to collect and bring items used by our forefathers and that is how we have been able to build Enyumba y’ebyedda mu Buganda (Buganda museum).” Also on display will be a typical house of a traditional Muganda, with a fireplace inside.
The Expo, organised under the theme “Million tourists, million opportunities,” and is expected to attract more than 200 exhibitors, is aimed at promoting tourism in Buganda.
Each of Buganda’s 18 counties will display tourism attractions in their areas as a way of raising awareness and attracting visitors. At Gulu in Kyaggwe County, for example, is a stone Baganda believe to have been Kintu’s bed. Buganda legend have it that Kintu was the first Muganda.
Busiro County on the other hand, has the Naggalabi Coronation Site where Buganda kings are enthroned. Kyadondo County, where Kampala is found, is home of the world famous heritage site, the Kasubi Tombs.
All the other counties, except Kyaggwe, the last year’s winner, will compete in exhibiting attractions.
Kyaggwe will exhibit but not participate in the competitions. According to Sebuliba, Kaggwe’s exclusion from the competition is to help other counties compete favourably since Kyaggwe is relatively developed and would be outright winners again.
There will also be schools competitions in music aimed at promoting Kiganda culture. The Kabaka will on Sunday, August 30, the last day of the Expo, give trophies to the winners.
Various clan leaders will display clan norm traits to the Bazukulu (descendants). Speaking about the Expo on Tuesday, the Buganda minister for tourism, Ritah Namyalo Kisitu, noted that the Expo is an opportunity for particularly young people to learn about “Buganda as a nation within a nation and Uganda at large.”
Many young people do not know norms that characterise their clans. It is members of the Butiko clan, for example, that dance for the Kabaka in a dance called Amaggunjju.
While this is to primarily promote tourism, Sebuliba said it is important to realise many clan headquarters are dilapidated so at the Expo, clan leaders will mobilise their Bazukulu for the redevelopment of clan heritage sites.
Multicultural exhibition of culture
Other regions outside the kingdom have also been invited to exhibit their cultures. For example, Igongo Cultural Centre, with a collection of various cultural artifacts and regalia from Ankole, will exhibit. Groups from Busoga and Mbale in Uganda and others from Kenya will also showcase their cultures.
Wildlife
The Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board have also liaised with the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and the Reptile Village Entebbe to bring wild animals at the exhibition. Visitors will see lions, snakes, giraffes, monkeys, among other wildlife.
Family Sunday and games
Sunday, August 30, will be family day with various games for both children and adults. They include Ekigwo e’kiganda - the Buganda version of wrestling, Omweso (board game) and bouncing castles for children, among others. Comedians will entertain revellers.
Senga
There will be sex and marital seminars, popularly referred to as Emisomo gya Senga, at a fee of Shs2,000. The same ticket will permit one’s entry into other seminars on agro-tourism, poultry, cooperatives and youth entrepreneurship.
Innovations
Besides culture and wildlife, Sebuliba says the public should expect a display of innovations from various groups and companies in agriculture, engineering and auto mechanics, among others.
From having a glance at Omutto gwa Ssekabaka Muteesa, lions in a cage, and various food items, Lubiri Palace might be the place to be this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment