Kampala — Nearly 17 years ago, President Museveni proclaimed an enduring "integrationist" relationship between his government and Buganda kingdom for national as well as regional unity and progress.

It was August 2, 1993 and he was speaking at the opening of the Buganda Lukiiko in Bulange, a Kampala suburb. A couple of days earlier, Prince Ronald Mutebi who had endorsed the 1981-6 NRA guerilla war that brought Mr Museveni to power, had been crowned Kabaka. "I have nothing but encouragement in your cultural revival because your cause serves my cause as mine serves yours," Mr Museveni noted.

On the occasion, the then 49-year-old President traced his origins roughly to the central region. "My clan, the Basiita (Ente in Buganda), were the keepers of the Royal Drums for Omugabe (Kabaka) Wamala around the year 1300 A.D," he said.

Everything appeared to be neat. The royal drums pounded to deafening applause for Mr Museveni who had brought to life a cherished kingdom that late President Milton Obote abolished 27 years earlier. "We need people with a vested interest that can look after the traditional sites - such as the palaces [and] burial sites," he said as one justification of resurrecting the cultural institutions.

Mengo refurbished the Kasubi royal tombs and UNESCO came in handy on December 13, 2001 to elevate it to a World Heritage site, describing it "a masterpiece of human creativity".

So, when fire on Tuesday razed the site, destroying the centre-piece Muzibu Azaala Mpanga structure housing the mausoleum of four former kings, Buganda's raw ire had been provoked. The king's subjects came in droves; wailing and craving to avenge the loss.

President Museveni on Wednesday became their target. To block his entry to the sacred site, some agitated youth hurled stones at the presidential guards who retaliated with live bullets and by day's end, three of the seven people shot were dead.

Was Mr Museveni a suspect in the eyes of the kingdom loyalists? Buganda Information/Cabinet Minister Charles Peter Mayiga says No. In explanations offered last evening, Mr Mayiga posited that the Head of State was more a victim of pent-up anger.

 
"The Baganda have a lot of grievances against the President; he has prevented the Kabaka from visiting Buruuli and Bugerere, CBS radio (which is partly owned by the kingdom) remains closed for the sixth month while the government owes Buganda nearly Shs20b in rent arrears," he said.