President Yoweri Museveni will hold dialogue with traditional leaders on the future of Uganda, the Vice-president Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo has revealed.
Hon Alupo made the revelation during a special engagement with the Buganda Kingdom cabinet on July 7, 2026.
She informed Buganda premier Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga that the president wants to kickstart the dialogue by meeting Buganda chiefs.
“President Museveni is embracing this dialogue. He is interested in taking this dialogue further and personally getting involved. He asked me to tell you Owekitiibwa that you arrange all the chiefs of Buganda, prepare them so that he can have interaction with them when they’re ready,” she said.
The president will also hold a special meeting with all cultural leaders from Uganda on the dialogue about advancing the country.
“After he meets the chiefs of Buganda, the president will appoint another special day where he will meet all cultural leaders in Uganda to discuss the future of our country, and how to work together as leader for the betterment of all the people of Uganda,” Vice president Hon Alupo said.
On his part, Owek. Mayiga welcomed the dialogue noting that Buganda Kingdom is home to all Ugandans and it is essential that services are extended to the people.
“We’re eager to work with the central government on different programmes that directly affect the people of Buganda. The kingdom of Buganda is very cosmopolitan, everyone from Uganda is here. So when services are extended to the people in Buganda, every other Ugandan is a beneficiary,” he noted.
President Yoweri Museveni seeks dialogue with Uganda’s local kings and cultural leaders to build a stronger partnership. His goal is to promote socio-economic transformation, eradicate poverty, and foster national unity. Museveni views traditional leaders as crucial grassroots partners in mobilizing communities for government wealth-creation programs
Core Reasons for Dialogue
- Wealth Creation & Poverty Alleviation:Museveni uses these platforms to urge kings and chiefs to mobilize their subjects into the “money economy”. He encourages traditional leaders to sensitize communities on modern wealth-generating activities like commercial farming, irrigation, and utilizing programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
- National Unity & Peace:The President uses dialogue to caution traditional leaders against tribalism and sectarian politics. He consistently preaches that all tribes and groups need each other for development and demands that leaders use their influence to maintain peace and harmony.
- Conflict Resolution:Traditional institutions wield immense authority in their localities. Museveni engages with them to collaboratively solve local issues, such as land wrangles, tribal/ethnic tensions, and land fragmentation
Preserving Positive Cultural Values: Through dialogue, the government aims to blend rich cultural heritage with modern values. For example, Museveni advocates for the preservation of certain positive cultural norms while urging leaders to help revise outdated traditions regarding gender roles
Engagement & Recent Developments
To deepen this cooperation, the central government maintains regular engagements with traditional institutions across the country. For example, Vice President Jessica Alupo represented the President in high-level discussions with the Buganda Kingdom and other regional chiefs, focusing on advancing community welfare and strengthening partnerships
