On Saturday March 28, 1998; thousands of Baganda and well-wishers turned up to help in the cleaning up of the Kabaka's palace (Lubiri) in Mmengo. The exercise which began early in the morning was led by the Katikkiro Of Buganda, Joseph Ssemwogerere, and involved mainly slashing the overgrown bushes around the dilapidated palace. Areas for cleaning were demarcated according to the different counties in Buganda. Each county was expected to complete its part within seven days. By the end of the day, there was only a small part remaining to be done.
The cleaning exercise began with prayers led by the Archbishop of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala. The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Samuel Balagadde Sekadde; the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Livingstone Nkoyoyo; the Acting Mufti Sheikh Ssemakula; and Bishop Aliddeki of the Seventh Day Adventist Church; were also present. The Prime Minister Kintu Musoke, Ministers and MPs from Buganda, school children, University students, elders and clan leaders combined efforts to clean up.
The Katikkiro in a speech read for him by Omutaka Grace Ssemakula said Buganda is demanding for the restoration of Mmengo Municipality. He said The palace is in Mmengo Municipality which municipality has not been handed over to Buganda. He revealed that Kabaka Ronald Muwenada Mutebi will occupy the palace as soon as it's renovation is completed. Rehabilitation of Twekobe (the Kabaka's main residence) is expected to cost between Ush 800-900m. This year's coronation anniversary celebrations he said, will be held in the palace. He appealed to the Central Government to return all properties belonging to Buganda.