The head of the Butiko Clan, Jaaja Kawere Gunju Matiya, has urged Baganda youth to actively participate in the activities and service institutions of the Buganda Kingdom as a way of strengthening their love and commitment to the institution.
Gunju made the remarks in Wandagi, Gomba County, where he met his grandchildren from the Nalumoso lineage during a clan get-together aimed at strengthening relationships among clan members.
The event was characterised by celebrations, traditional songs and dancing as members of the Nalumoso lineage welcomed their grandfather to the gathering.
The ceremony started with prayers led by Rev. Emmanuel Wagaba, who encouraged members of the Butiko Clan to strengthen their relationships and avoid becoming strangers to one another.
Wagaba said unity and cooperation among clan members would enable them to support one another in different aspects of life.
He also emphasised the importance of knowing and supporting one another, saying clan relationships should go beyond simply knowing each other. He urged members to use their skills, abilities and positions in different offices to support one another and contribute to the development of their clan.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for members of the clan to strengthen their bonds and address challenges affecting their families.
The grandchildren said they organised the event to promote unity within the clan, resolve family conflicts, strengthen reconciliation and help members trace their roots and understand their family history.
“Jaaja, one of our key objectives in organising this event was to promote unity among us as your grandchildren, resolve our differences, forgive one another, and strengthen our bonds. We are happy to report that we have achieved all these objectives, and we are very pleased. We have also had the opportunity to get to know some of our fellow grandchildren whom we did not know before,” the grandchildren said.
While addressing the gathering, Gunju urged all Baganda, regardless of their different clans, to develop greater love for the Buganda Kingdom and actively participate in its development.
“I would like to thank you, my grandchildren of the Butiko clan, for the love you have for your clan and the Kingdom. But I also want to encourage you to remain united, reconcile and work together, especially when it comes to matters concerning our Kingdom, and to continue loving our Kabaka,” Gunju said.
He particularly encouraged the youth to take an active role in serving the Kingdom, saying their involvement is important for the future of Buganda.
Speaking in Luganda, Gunju said:
“Ensangi zino abavubuka abamu balabise nga ensonga zebika byabwe nobwakabaka babisuliride nyo ate nga Sabasajja Kabaka omulembe guno yagukwasa bavubuka, nolwekyo nkubiriza abavubuka nga ntandikira kumwe bazukulu bange abedira obutiko nabalala mwena nti mwenyigire munsonga ezikulakulanya obwakabaka bwamwe nokwongera okusemberera abo abantu abakulu okwongera okufuna okulambikibwa kubikwatagana nobwakabaka,” Gunju said.
Gunju further urged Baganda wherever they are to prioritise their clan affairs, saying strong and united clans are the foundation upon which the Buganda Kingdom stands.
“We should love our clans, support their activities and follow their values because everyone belongs to a clan. Here in Buganda, our clans are the foundation upon which our kingdom is built. This means that when the clans are strong, our kingdom is also strong,” Gunju said.
He also spoke about the relationship between Buganda and Tooro, expressing concern over the loss of a traditional leader of the Tooro Kingdom.
“We, the Butiko clan, also extend our condolences to our fellow subjects of the Tooro Kingdom following the passing of their Omukama, their supreme leader. The period they are going through is very difficult, but we sympathise with our fellow subjects and encourage them to remain strong because he is the one who gave them our Kabaka and also entrusted him to us. Let us continue praying for them,” Jaaja Gunju said.
The gathering ended with the grandchildren presenting their grandfather with gifts, including a goat and other items, as a gesture of appreciation and respect.
