Museveni Advises Cultural Leaders to Focus on Heritage, Stay Out of Politics

President Yoweri Museveni has advised traditional and cultural leaders in Uganda to strictly confine their duties to heritage preservation, safeguarding indigenous knowledge, and guiding their communities. Speaking during a two-day consultative conference at State House in Entebbe, the President emphasized that cultural entities must complement elected government authorities rather than rival them.

According to an official communique, Museveni warned against the politicization of traditional kingdoms and chiefdoms. He noted that historical weaknesses in African societies stemmed from tribal chauvinism and a lack of integration, which is why the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) strongly champions patriotism and Pan-Africanism. He urged leaders to reject colonial mentalities that make Africans despise their own heritage.

Highlighting historical foundations in agriculture, livestock, crafts, and medicine, Museveni encouraged cultural institutions to document indigenous expertise and pass it down to younger generations. In response, representatives of the traditional leaders expressed eagerness to partner with the central government on socio-economic development. They proposed offering land for model agricultural farms and called for assistance with high-yield seeds, livestock, and irrigation infrastructure.

During the same gathering, Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde called on traditional authorities to help combat pressing social challenges such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage. The conference aimed to establish a clearer framework for mutual cooperation between cultural institutions and the central government.

Read more about this development in the Daily Monitor report.