Home
About Us
Culture
Constitution
Management committee
Members
Appeal
Teaching Programme
Joining

Buganda Heritage Association (UK & IRE)
'Obwakabaka Bwa Buganda Omwoyo Gumu ne Meeme Emu'

Background

Buganda Heritage Association (UK & IRE) was started in July 1998 in London by a group of Baganda residing in the UK, in response to the general appeal to Baganda by the Hon. Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere, the Katikkiro of Buganda on the restoration work to the Mengo Palace at the time. However, it was also the result of the realisation of the need do something about the restoration and preservation of the Buganda's important historical and cultural sites, including the Royal burial grounds.

Aims

One of the aims of Buganda Heritage Association was to set up an appeal fund to which all Baganda in the UK could contribute for the restoration and preservation of the royal and cultural sites, which are part of the Buganda history and identity. The second and general aim of the Association is to work to promote and preserve Buganda's Cultural identity, language and history. The idea of setting up a fund was based on the fact that fundraising for the kind of objectives in mind was going to be an on going and long term activity. It was also considered one of the effective ways of mobilising the Baganda in the UK and elsewhere, to support the rehabilitation work going on in Buganda. It was considered to have better potential of raising large sums of money by collection small amounts from a large number of individuals and sources. It can also be used to access public charitable funds in this country for projects in this country or in Buganda to promote Buganda culture, language and values among the Baganda.

Membership

There are two types of membership, full members and associate members. Full membership is open to all Baganda who believe in the institution of Kabaka and the Buganda Cultural heritage and who pay the prescribed membership subscription. Among the full members are founding members who subscribed at least £20 when the Association was started. The founding members include Omulangira Daudi Golooba, the Chairman, Omulangira Sam Zimbe, the first Treasurer and Nalinya Nakabiri one of the two patrons.
Associate members are those persons who are friends of Buganda, who support the aims and the objectives of Buganda Heritage Association and who make a minimum donation as may from time to time be set by the management committee of the Association.

Organisational Structure

The governing body is the members' Annual General Meeting. The AGM elects the management committee and honorary officials. The Management committee is made up of nine members, six honorary officials, and two Patrons. The honorary officials include: The Chair The Vice Chair The Secretary The Assistant Secretary The Treasurer The Assistant Treasurer The current patrons are Nalinya Nakabiri and Nalinya Nabaloga. Members of the management committee may from time to time be assigned special roles in the development work of the Association. Currently we have a women's Coordinator and a Youth Coordinator.

Activities of the Association

The Association was formed to work with those in Buganda who are engaged in the rehabilitation of Buganda and the restoration of Buganda's cultural institutions. It has taken sometime for Buganda Heritage to define its role in the scheme of things at home, but some progress is being made. As a result, we have just completed the refurbishment of one of the houses for the Bazaana at Kasubi.
While we are considering the next project with which to be associated at home, and how we can help with any international fund raising for any large projects under consideration, our attention is being directed to the work of developing and promoting Buganda cultural values, and Language among the young generation Baganda in the UK. Some Work has therefore been commissioned to look at the way of teaching Luganda in this country, what resources we need to develop and how.
For more information about the Buganda Heritage, we have produced a Booklet, a copy is available on order.

back to top