Buganda Kingdom is considering going to court to seek the nullification of the Traditional Leaders and Cultural Institutions Act that was passed by parliament on Tuesday

The Minister of Information and Cabinet Affairs at Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga says although the Parliament of Uganda has passed the bill and the president will soon assent to it to become law, the Kingdom of Buganda maintains its stand that the new law is unconstitutional.

Buganda Kingdom's charles peter mayiga

Buganda was the only kingdom that did not officially give its views on the controversial bill that was hurriedly debated and passed by parliament.

The Chairperson o the parliamentary committee on legal affairs Stephen Tashobya however says Buganda kingdom’s views were taken into consideration as the kingdom was the first to present a petition before Parliament on the proposed bill.

The government after the public outcry introduced 15 amendments to the bill which was hurriedly debated by the legal affairs committee and that of the Gender and Social Development, who wrote a report that recommended the bill to be passed.

The government says the bill is intended to ban the involvement of cultural leaders in partisan politics and to provide for the benefits of cultural leaders.

According to the bill, Traditional leaders will not promote any political party or its activities, promote manifestoes of any political party, render direct support to a party or make statements against government policies and programs.

The bill also provides that a person who knowingly involves a traditional or cultural leader in partisan politics will be liable if convicted to a twelve months prison sentence or a fine.
The duties of traditional and cultural leaders will be limited to promoting and preserving cultural values, norms and practices which enhance the dignity of the people where the cultural leader is recognized.

Mayiga, a senior lawyer however says Buganda kingdom considers the bill as infringing on the rights of traditional leaders and will challenge it in courts of law.

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Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga

In particular the Mengo Katikiro (Prime Minister) John Baptist Walusimbi commended the Archbishop of the Catholic Church Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, and the Supreme Mufti Zubair Kayongo among others who have been so vibrant in telling the public about the weaknesses in the bill.

He says the religious leaders have done a good of enlightening the public about the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Bill that was presented to parliament last year.

Speaking during the Buganda Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament), Walusimbi also thanked the central region Members of Parliament and anyone who was opposed to the bill.

The Lukiiko said that the reactions the Baganda showed was a sign of the oneness and love they have for the Kingdom.

The Buganda Kingdom was the only Kingdom in Uganda that adamantly refused to attend the consultative meetings at Parliament between MPs and Kingdoms’ delegates on 19^th and 20^th last week to give its views on the bill. Buganda kingdom insists that the bill is unconstitutional and is bad for cultural leaders and the country as whole.

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