UGANDA, Makerere | Real Muloodi News | The once-private residence of Uganda’s inaugural president and 35th king of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II, has been repurposed into a museum and formally inaugurated.
The renovated residence, situated at Makerere University in Kampala, underwent its official unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, 21st February, 2024, presided over by Princess Agnes Nabaloga, one of Kabaka Mutesa II’s daughters, representing his successor, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
Also in attendance were Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister (Katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga, Prince David Wasajja (the late monarch’s youngest son), Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and various university dignitaries.
Notably, the event also witnessed the unveiling of figure sculptures depicting Mutesa II.
During the ceremony, Kabaka Mutebi, represented by his sister Nabaloga, donated a collection of photographs showcasing his late father during his tenure as a student at Makerere University, formerly known as Makerere College.
Among the images were snapshots capturing a youthful Mutesa participating in various sporting endeavours, including football, cricket, and golf.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe expressed Makerere’s pride in counting Mutesa among its alumni.
He emphasised the significant role the newly established museum, dedicated to the late Buganda monarch, would play in bolstering Uganda’s tourism sector. Prof.
Nawangwe extended gratitude to the Buganda Kingdom for its contribution of USh70 million towards the refurbishment of the king’s erstwhile private residence, as well as its endorsement of the museum’s creation.
The king’s erstwhile private residence before refurbishment.
Mutesa ascended to the throne on his 18th birthday in 1942, succeeding his father, Daudi Chwa II, who had passed away three years earlier.
In 1962, a year after Uganda gained independence from British colonial rule, Mutesa assumed the position of the country’s first president, albeit in a non-executive capacity.
However, following the dissolution of the alliance between Mutesa and his Prime Minister Milton Obote, the latter ousted Mutesa from power in 1966, compelling him to seek refuge in the United Kingdom.
Tragically, Mutesa passed away in exile in 1969.
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