By Spy Uganda
Uganda’s cultural leadership is facing a financial crisis, as the government struggles with a significant funding shortfall that threatens to reduce the salaries of traditional leaders across the country. The Ministry of Gender had requested Shs 12.24 billion to ensure each of the 17 recognized cultural leaders receives a monthly salary of Shs 60 million in the upcoming 2025/26 financial year. However, only Shs 1.02 billion has been allocated, translating into just Shs 5 million per leader each month.
This financial shortfall places the government’s support for traditional and cultural leadership under scrutiny. Many cultural leaders in Uganda rely on these government allocations to fulfill their roles, which encompass everything from promoting social unity and preserving cultural heritage to supporting local governance systems. With the allocated funds falling drastically short of expectations, concerns have been raised about the future of these institutions.
These cultural leaders represent various ethnic groups and communities across the country. These leaders are often regarded as custodians of culture, heritage, and tradition, playing a key role in promoting unity, social cohesion, and the preservation of cultural values. While their roles are largely ceremonial, they also provide guidance and influence within their communities, often mediating conflicts and offering counsel on local governance.
Workers MP Agnes Kunihira, who raised the issue in Parliament in January 2025, warned that failing to meet the government’s previous financial commitments could have significant political repercussions. She cautioned that cutting the salaries of cultural leaders could strain relations between the state and these important institutions, which play a key role in the nation’s social fabric.
“Reducing their salaries contradicts the government’s past commitments and may send a negative signal about the state’s long-term support for cultural leadership,” Kunihira stated. Her concerns highlight the delicate balance the government must maintain in ensuring that cultural leaders are adequately funded while facing competing fiscal priorities.
Uganda recognizes 17 cultural institutions. Some of the most prominent kingdoms include the Buganda Kingdom, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, the Tooro Kingdom, and the Busoga Kingdom, among others. These institutions, which have historical significance, were largely sidelined after Uganda’s independence but were later reinstated by President Museveni’s government in the 1990s as part of efforts to embrace the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Despite the financial challenges, these leaders continue to hold significant influence over their communities and are seen as vital to Uganda’s cultural and social identity.
