Ritual practices usually performed as the Kabaka of
Buganda opens the Kingdom Lukiiko sitting were today changed in the wake of corona
virus pandemic.
The timing of the opening itself was the first major departure from the usual, as it ordinarily should have been opened in August soon after the the coronation anniversary.
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II this morning opened the
28th socially-distanced Lukiiko sitting at Bulange-Mengo. He said
that the sitting was meant to see that plans for the Kingdom progress in the New
Year.
In his speech, Kabaka Mutebi delivered his condolences to Ugandans
who have lost loved ones to Covid-19, other diseases and the rampant murders.
Luganda //Cue in: “olukiiko luno…
Cue out:…nduguddewo.”//
The Lukiiko opening event which in the past happened
every month of August was pushed to January 11th as the
cultural institution devised means of observing the Covid-19 Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) alongside the different rituals usually performed at the function.
“In Buganda, there are three major annual functions
namely the coronation anniversary celebrations, official opening of the Lukiiko
session and the Kabaka’s Birthday but unfortunately because of Covid, it pleased his
Majesty to amend ‘Ennono’ to ensure that we don’t put people at risk,” Noah
Kiyimba the Kingdom Minister in-charge of Lukiiko, Cabinet and Information told
Uganda Radio Network.
Our reporter today saw only 90 Lukiiko
members-mainly new ones attend the special sitting out of the usual 200 who usually
convene in addition to members of the public who follow the event from the
gallery and others in the gardens on large screens.
Since the event is used to have new Lukiiko members individually
narrate their lineage and prostrate before the Kabaka as the sign of respect
and submission, these ritual acts were altered and the Kingdom had only four
new members carry out the display of their appreciation before the King.
The names and brief description of the rest of the
new Lukiiko members were all read out by Minister Kiyimba and they at once took
the floor and bowed before the Kabaka in affirmation of their appointment and as
a sign of submission. These included new leaders of different Kingdom Counties,
Lukiiko members as well as representatives of youth, industrialists, farmers,
accountants and others.
English //Cue in: “and usually you…
Cue out:…that is it.”//
Katikkiro Mayiga also emphasized that it was an
unusual Lukiiko sitting since only a few had been selected to attend in
observance of Covid-19 SOPs. He noted that since the 1993 Coronation, the
Kabaka has for the past years opened the Lukiiko immediately after the coronation
anniversary celebrations in July. Mayiga however said that this norm could not
happen last year due to the pandemic.
