In the recent past, the Buganda Kingdom faced a big challenge and setback when the then president of Uganda Apollo Milton Obote attacked the Lubiri prompting the then Kabaka of Buganda Sir Edward Mutesa II to go to exile and soon after, the Kingdom was overthrown and abolished. This act greatly violated the rights, morals, and tradition of Buganda.
However, in 2006, Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda through her Nabagereka Development Foundation initiated a cultural coaching program to train, skill, and teach the young people about the history of the Buganda Kingdom and also imparting morals in children.
The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Fredrick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II graced the closing ceremony of this year’s Nabagereka’s Cultural Coaching program also known as Ekisaakate which lasted two weeks and was hosted at St. Joseph of Nazareth in Kavulu in Mawokota Sub County. The Kabaka was accompanied by Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Nnalinya Lubuga Agnes Nabaaloga Namasole, Ssabaganzi, Ssabalangira, Ministers of the Buganda Kingdom led by the Katitkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, Sub County Chiefs and all other guests.
During the event, the Kabaka opened a newly constructed building at the school which is expected to host a health facility for students and an administration block. Thereafter, he planted a historical tree and visited the exhibition venues to see and appreciate the work that Kisaakate beneficiaries have been able to learn and do within the 14 days of the program.
The beneficiaries also exhibited their talents in songs and dances including the self-defending skills they learned from the program. In his speech, the Kabaka thanked all the organizers led by Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda for the idea of coaching children in culture, tradition, morals and sustenance.
He said “We continue to thank and appreciate Nabagereka for this idea that mentors and prepares our children to be patriotic to their country, culture, tradition and selflessness in regard to respecting the culture and traditions of other people. In the same way, the Nabagereka Development Foundation has done a tremendous job together with the teachers, parents who brought children and paid their school fees, the proprietors and leadership of St. Joseph Nazareth that have once again permitted us to host the Culture Coaching program here for the second time, we thank all of them.”
The Kabaka urged the beneficiaries of the Cultural Coaching program to study hard, stating “We strongly urge you to be obedient to your parents, work hard in academics so that you can be competitive in the world. Being humble is the key to success to all that is workable and achievable.”