Inaugural Kabalega Memorial Lecture

Date: 18th December, 2024.
Theme: The Role of Culture in Promotion of Development – the Case of Africa

The Inaugural Kabalega Memorial Lecture


Theme: The role of culture in promotion of development – the case of Africa.

Date: 18th December, 2023

Venue: Kampala Serena Hotel

Keynote Address Speaker: Prof. PLO. Lumumba.

Total Number of participants (Physical and Virtual): 600

Key Message

“Empower cultural institutions to play a more active role in the governance of society”

100s gathered to pay homage to Omukama Cwa II Kabalega at the Inaugural Kabalega Memorial, held on the 18th of December, 2023 at Kampala Serena Conference Center. The event organized by Kabalega Foundation in partnership with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom was attended by participants from all walks of life including the people from the Academia, Government, Civil Society, Cultural Institutions, Opinion Leaders, students and members of the general public was hosted at Kampala Serena Hotel – Victoria Hall under the theme: “The Role of Culture in Promotion of Development – the Case of Africa”.


Find Full Keynote Address

Panelists / Discussants

  1. Prof. Julius Kiiza, a professor of political science at Makerere University,
  2. Dr. Paul Kyalimpa, a development and leadership expert and also the Deputy Director General at Uganda Investment Authority,
  3. Mrs. Barbara Babwetera Ntambi, the Executive Director – Cross cultural Foundation of Uganda,
  4. Ms. Agnes Kabajuni,, the Regional Manager, Minority Rights Group International – Africa,
  5. Hajjat Hajara Nalubega – the Principal Culture Office in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and
  6. Owek. Isaac Kalembe – Author of “The Life and Legacy of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega (1853 – 1923)”

Review live recording of the lecture as it happened..

Gallery of the 2023 KML Edition

Some of the moments captured through the lecture..

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Participants arriving for the lecture

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Dr. Milton Wabyona from the Makerere University Department of Music, Dance and Drama (center) entertaining the guests in traditional music folklore.

Owek. Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom delivering his speech.

The Chief Prince of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Owek. Mugenyi Fred Rucunya (right) and Prince Dr. James Kisoro in attendance of the lecture.

Some of the international participants that took part in the lecture.

Owek. Isaac Kalembe emphasing the importance of documentation of African culture and history during the panel discussion.

Hajjat. Hajara Nalubega delivering her remarks during the panel discussion.

Dr. Cindy Evelyn Magara, Director of Nyati Motion Pictures (left) the developers of the Omukama Cwa II Kabalega Documentary together with a colleague attending the lecture.

Dr. Paul Kyalimpa delivering his remarks during the panel discussion.

Ms. Agnes Kabajuni delivering her remarks during the panel discussion

Mrs. Barbara Babwetera Ntambi delivering her remarks during the panel discussion

The Cultural Dance Troupe entertaining participants in traditional Kinyoro Orunyege dance.

Prof. Lumumba decried the alarming rate of loss of African culture at the expense of other foreign importations in present day. He also decried the “Artificial” boundaries created by colonialists within African societies as a tactic of divide and run still existing  to date, impeding free interaction of the African people who share alot in common. He noted that this is one of the biggest undoing of efforts to achieve social, economic and political development in Africa.

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A cross-section of members of the royal family (above and below) listening to the lecture.

Ms. Mildred Tuhaise the day’s MC and panel discussion moderator in session

Prince Dr. James Isagara Kisoro delivering his remarks

A group of ladies from the Makerere University Music, Dance and Drama Cultural Dance Troupe entertaining the guests.

Hon. Kwemara William Ngabu – Deputy Prime Minister, Tooro Kingdom (left) and Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (right) in attendance

Prof. Julius Kiiza delivering his remarks during the panel discussion

Owek. Mugenyi Fred Rucunya, the Chief Prince of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom signing 100 Years of Kabalega commemoration  artwork by Mr. Tibirushya.

A cross-section of students and some of the participants who took part in the lecture posing for a photo with Prof. PLO. Lumumba

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