Museveni to intervene in Bunyoro – Bugungu Cultural Row
The Bagungu people, indigenous to Bugungu in present-day Buliisa District, have been advocating for the establishment of their own cultural institution, Buttebbengwa Bwa Bugungu.
Buliisa: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to intervene in the ongoing cultural dispute between the Bunyoro Kingdom and the Bagungu community.
The president made this commitment on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, while visiting Titus Tumusiime’s farm in Buliisa District as part of his Parish Development Model (PDM) tour.
During the visit, Buliisa District LCV Chairman Fred Lukumu raised the issue of the Bagungu community’s quest for cultural independence.
Lukumu explained that the Bagungu were historically dominated by colonial rule and, despite being constitutionally recognized as an indigenous ethnic group, they now seek full cultural autonomy from the Bunyoro Kingdom.
He clarified that their demand for independence does not imply hostility towards Bunyoro but rather the freedom to establish and manage their own cultural institution.
Hon. Allan Atugonza of Buliisa County expounded that all the approval and process of Butebengwa as a kingdom is complete and the proposal has already been submitted to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development waiting for gazettement.
In response, President Museveni acknowledged Bagungu’s right to cultural autonomy but emphasized the need for a balanced approach.
“It is your right to have cultural autonomy, but I will also meet the Bunyoro Kingdom leadership and intervene in the matter,” Museveni stated.
The Bagungu people, indigenous to Bugungu in present-day Buliisa District, have been advocating for the establishment of their own cultural institution, Buttebbengwa Bwa Bugungu.
In 2022, during a meeting with Bunyoro leaders in Masindi, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga asked President Museveni to intervene in the dispute.
Currently, the Bugungu Cultural Revival Association (BUCRA), which is spearheading efforts to establish the Bugungu Cultural Institution, has already submitted its documents to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development for government approval and gazetting.
While Museveni previously assured Bunyoro leaders that he would meet with both parties, it remains unclear whether such a meeting has taken place.
The president’s latest pledge suggests that government mediation may soon take place to resolve the issue between the Bagungu and Bunyoro Kingdom.
The outcome of this intervention could determine whether the Bagungu community will achieve full cultural independence or remain under the broader influence of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
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