A 6-man delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local level Government of the Parliament of South Africa, paid a courtesy call on the Kingdom of Buganda.

They were received by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. J.G. Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere at his office in Bulange, Mmengo.

The Katikkiro thanked the Government of South Africa for looking after traditional leaders. He also thanked the traditional leaders for their cooperation with the Government. He emphasized the strong economic and cultural relationship between Buganda Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa. The Katikkiro revealed plans of Ssabasajja Kabaka to visit fellow Kings in South Africa in the near future.

Earlier on, the South African MPs on a 6-day visit to Uganda to explore the status, role, powers and functions of traditional leadership and institutions, were met by the Kabaka's Minister of Youth and Cabinet Affairs, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga.

The key issues they wanted to explore, include:

• How the traditional leadership and institutions changed overtime;

• The present structure and role of traditional leadership and institutions, to what extent it is regulated by law, the content of the legislation and whether the role of traditional leadership and institutions is reconcilable with the system of democracies in the country and how.

• The systems of appointing, recognising and removing traditional leaders, how succession disputes are dealt with; whether traditional leaders are paid by Government, are there statutory bodies of traditional leadership, and if so, what is their role and how are they funded? Does Government take any responsibilities for capacity building of traditional leaders?

• How do traditional leaders and institutions relate with Local Government, municipalities and elected Councillors; how do they relate to provincial and national governments? How do they relate to political parties?

• What role do traditional leaders have in respect of all the issues relating to land? How are individual and collective rights to land reconciled?

• Is there a system of Customary Law and Courts? If so, what is it and how is it related to the country's overall system of justice and courts?

• What are the status, rights, and roles of women in traditional authority? Are women allowed to be traditional leaders?

• What is the status and role of Youth in traditional authority areas?

While welcoming the delegation, Buganda Youth Minister Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, gave a brief background of the Kingdom. He explained that the Kingdom's first role is to mobilize people for development and welfare.

About the status and role of the Youth and Women in traditional authority areas, Mayiga said that the Youth are at the forefront playing an active role in administration. Kabaka entrusted them to a full Ministry with all departments.

The women are not left out. This can be emphasized by the Women Ministers in Buganda Government; and on top of that women too hold very important positions in Kabaka's Government such as: the Namasole (Mother to the King), Nalinnya Lubuga (Kabaka's co-heir) etc.