The Abakenyi community from Bugerere, descendants of Baganda who were forced into exile following a conflict during the reign of Ssekabaka Ssemakookiro, have returned home and paid a courtesy visit to the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, at Bulange Mengo.

The delegation held discussions with the Katikkiro on various issues, including strengthening their relationship with the Buganda Kingdom and working together on development initiatives.

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga reflected on the history of the Abakenyi, explaining that they were among those sent by Ssekabaka Ssemakookiro on a military expedition. After the mission failed to achieve its intended objective, the group was forced to flee Buganda and settled in different areas, including Teso, Ankole, Busoga, Zanzibar and elsewhere.

Mayiga urged the Abakenyi to remain connected to their roots while focusing on education, skills development and improving their livelihoods.

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"Do not forget your roots, even when you are few in number. Continue working hard, day and night, to improve your living conditions, pursue education and acquire different skills so that you can compete in the global job market," Mayiga said.

He further pledged that the Buganda Kingdom would work with the Abakenyi if they shared the vision of "restoring Buganda to its rightful position at the top" and treated their history as a foundation for organised and meaningful development.

The Chairperson of the Abakenyi Elders Council, George Wilson Nsamba Kumama, who previously served as a Minister of the Kabaka in charge of cooperative affairs and as the Member of Parliament for Bbaale from 2016 to 2021, highlighted the community's major challenges, including the lack of a permanent ancestral home.

"Wherever we go, we are often regarded as visitors. We therefore appeal for support in resolving the question of our ancestral home and in recognising the 32 clans that make up the Abakenyi community," Kumama said.

He said the Buganda Kingdom was the institution that understood the Abakenyi best and appealed for permission for the community to return to their ancestral land and settle there permanently.

The Secretary-General of the Abakenyi Elders Council, Peter Kiriggwajjo, also presented a memorandum to the Katikkiro outlining the community's key requests to the Buganda Kingdom.

Among their requests is the allocation of a place within Buganda where members of the Abakenyi community can gather and access services associated with Ssaabasajja Kabaka, whom they regard as their rightful and direct leader.

The community also requested representation in the Buganda Lukiiko and Cabinet, saying such representation would strengthen their participation in the affairs of the Kingdom.

The visit marked an important step towards rebuilding the historical relationship between the Abakenyi and the Buganda Kingdom, while creating opportunities for greater unity, cultural identity and socio-economic development.