The President wants traditional institutions to strengthen community values, preserve indigenous skills and support social development without taking over the responsibilities of elected government.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Uganda’s traditional and cultural institutions to take a leading role in preserving indigenous knowledge and strengthening community development, while respecting the constitutional responsibilities of elected government.
The President said cultural leaders have an important contribution to make to national development through the protection of traditional heritage, promotion of African identity and guidance of their communities.
Museveni made the remarks on Wednesday during the opening of a two-day conference bringing together traditional and cultural leaders from across Uganda at State House, Entebbe.
He cautioned cultural institutions against becoming involved in political administration, arguing that their responsibilities should complement those of constitutional government structures rather than compete with them.
According to the President, cultural institutions should concentrate on preserving heritage, promoting social cohesion and advising communities, while leaving legislation and public administration to the relevant state institutions.
Indigenous knowledge seen as a development resource
Museveni identified indigenous knowledge as one of the resources that cultural institutions should help preserve and pass on to younger generations.
He pointed to traditional expertise in agriculture, livestock keeping, fishing, blacksmithing, carpentry, leather tanning, pottery and other forms of craftsmanship, saying these skills remain valuable to society.
The President urged cultural leaders to ensure that such knowledge is documented and transferred to young people rather than allowing traditional practices and expertise to disappear.
He also encouraged the promotion of indigenous food systems, traditional crops and livestock breeds, noting their potential contribution to food production, household incomes and economic resilience.
The message places cultural heritage beyond ceremonial functions, presenting traditional knowledge as a resource that could support livelihoods and community-level economic activity.
Museveni calls for stronger African identity
The President also challenged cultural institutions to protect Africa’s historical identity, languages and cultural practices, which he said had been weakened by colonialism and its aftermath.
He argued that Africa’s shared history, cultural connections and linguistic relationships should provide a foundation for stronger cooperation and economic integration across the continent.
Quoting Matthew 19:6, Museveni said, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
He used the biblical passage to encourage Africans to overcome artificial divisions and recognise their shared heritage and common interests.
Cultural leaders propose partnership with Government
In their presentation at the conference, cultural leaders called for closer cooperation with Government, arguing that Uganda’s cultural diversity could contribute more directly to social and economic transformation.
Through their representative, they described kingdoms, chiefdoms and community-based cultural institutions as important structures for protecting national identity, promoting moral values and supporting reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
They proposed joint initiatives covering agricultural development, wealth creation, community industrialisation, tourism, cultural preservation, women’s economic empowerment and skills development.
One of their proposals involves making land available for model agricultural farms that would serve as practical learning centres for farmers and young people.
The proposed facilities would support agricultural innovation, technology transfer, food production, practical training and agribusiness development.
The initiative reflects the cultural leaders’ interest in using resources under their institutions to support community livelihoods and productive activities.
Government highlights social challenges requiring joint action
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Gen. Henry Tumukunde urged cultural leaders to work alongside Government in addressing social problems affecting families and communities.
He highlighted gender-based violence, harmful cultural practices, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, poverty, unemployment and discrimination against persons with disabilities as issues requiring collective intervention.
His remarks reinforced the importance of cooperation between cultural institutions and public authorities in promoting social welfare and protecting vulnerable groups.
Conference expected to produce resolutions
The two-day gathering provides a platform for Government and cultural leaders to discuss their respective responsibilities and identify areas where cooperation could strengthen national development.
The discussions have focused on heritage preservation, indigenous knowledge, community economic empowerment, social protection and the contribution of cultural institutions to national unity.
The conference is expected to conclude with resolutions outlining ways to strengthen collaboration between Government and traditional institutions.
For Uganda’s cultural institutions, the discussions present an opportunity to translate their influence, traditional knowledge and community resources into practical initiatives that support livelihoods while preserving the country’s diverse cultural heritage.