Owek. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga addressing the people of Buganda.
The funds were contributed by the Kabaka’s subjects from sub-counties across Buganda, districts outside Buganda and Uganda, as well as schools, institutions, and various community groups.
While closing this year’s Luwalo, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga thanked the people of Buganda for their strong participation in Kingdom programmes and for implementing messages from the Palace. He said these messages have greatly contributed to improved health outcomes, including a reduction in HIV infections and increased participation of men in screening for HIV, prostate cancer, and other diseases.
He highlighted the development achieved by the Kabaka’s people through coffee growing, noting that the success of the coffee campaign demonstrates how widely it has been embraced. He added that crop farming and livestock rearing have also been strongly taken up, with many people accessing key development messages through visits to the Palace under the Luwalo initiative.
On electoral matters, the Katikkiro urged people not to fear voting because of violence, but instead to uphold unity, emphasising that all Ugandans will continue to live together peacefully as one people, without intimidation. He said this spirit should be reflected within political parties across the country.
Owek. Hajji Mutaasa Kafeero receiving a certificate.
He reiterated that it is wrong to assault people because of the candidates they support, adding that imposing unrealistic regulations is unjust.
He commended the total amount raised in this year’s Luwalo, which reached UGX 1.7 billion, compared to UGX 1.6 billion collected last year. He noted that although the Kingdom does not levy taxes, the Luwalo plays an important role in supporting the implementation of various Kingdom programmes.
The Minister for Local Government and Buganda Affairs Abroad, Owek. Joseph Kawuki, said this year’s exercise was conducted under the “Tondeka mu Luwalo” initiative, which enabled many people to participate. He noted that large sums were contributed through this system, although political aspirants participated less due to campaign activities and legal restrictions.
He thanked the Katikkiro and the Kabaka’s Government for their transparency and for demonstrating action-oriented federalism, which has encouraged the people of Buganda to participate more actively. He also praised the Kabaka’s chiefs at all levels and the Luwalo committees for their dedication and commitment to the duties entrusted to them.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Wakiso District, Betty Ethel Naluyima, expressed satisfaction with how the Ministry of Local Government within the Kingdom is implementing development programmes and urged the central government to adopt similar approaches to deliver meaningful services to Ugandans.
Ssaabawaali Gombe Sub-county hosted the delegates at the event and received a certificate and other awards.
Sub-counties from Buganda contributed UGX 113,976,000, while contributions from outside Buganda and Uganda amounted to UGX 40,747,142, bringing the total to UGX 163,323,142.