Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom have pledged to deepen their partnership to implement poverty alleviation programmes and strengthen service delivery, with both sides agreeing to leverage the Kingdom’s cultural structures to accelerate socio-economic transformation at the grassroots.
The commitment was made during a high-level meeting held at Bulange, Mengo, where a government delegation led by Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, met Buganda Kingdom officials to discuss areas of cooperation aimed at improving livelihoods, promoting national unity and enhancing community mobilisation.
Addressing the meeting, Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Museveni, reaffirming the President’s commitment to working closely with all cultural institutions in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.
“This engagement reflects our shared belief that dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation are essential for promoting peace, national cohesion and the socio-economic transformation of our people,” Babalanda said.
The minister said sustained engagement between government and cultural institutions remains critical in fostering peace, strengthening service delivery and promoting inclusive development.
She commended the Buganda Kingdom for its continued role in preserving Uganda’s cultural heritage while mobilising communities to participate in development initiatives.
According to Babalanda, government recognises that achieving sustainable development requires collaboration beyond state institutions. “Development cannot be delivered by government alone. It requires the active participation of cultural institutions, religious leaders, local governments, the private sector and citizens themselves,” she said.
She noted that Uganda has registered significant progress over the past four decades in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, peace and stability, attributing these gains to visionary leadership, national unity and the resilience of Ugandans.
Babalanda urged political, cultural and religious leaders to champion President Museveni’s four ideological principles of Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Democracy and Socio-Economic Transformation as pillars for national development.
She also outlined key government wealth creation programmes intended to lift households out of poverty, particularly among youth and women.
The programmes include the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Presidential Industrial Hubs, and the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Boy/Girl Child.
The minister pledged that the Ministry for the Presidency would continue coordinating effective service delivery through Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) while strengthening partnerships with cultural institutions to improve accountability and grassroots mobilisation.
She expressed confidence that Buganda’s well-established traditional governance structures would complement government programmes and help ensure services reach intended beneficiaries.
On governance and national cohesion, Babalanda cautioned leaders against division, misinformation and actions that could undermine peace and development.
She stressed that political differences should never overshadow the common goal of improving the welfare of Ugandans. “Differences in opinion should never weaken our shared commitment to Uganda’s prosperity. Instead, they should inspire constructive dialogue and cooperation,” Babalanda said.
The minister observed that Uganda’s continued peace and security remain essential for attracting investment, expanding trade, promoting tourism and creating employment opportunities.
In her closing remarks, Babalanda reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining cordial and productive relations with the Buganda Kingdom.
The meeting brought together senior officials from both the Central Government, led by Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo and Buganda Kingdom to align strategies for implementing Presidential initiatives, strengthening community partnerships and accelerating socio-economic transformation across Buganda.
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