The Buganda Kingdom has revised the official rendition of its anthem after nearly 90 years, citing widespread mispronunciation of words, incorrect musical tones, and inconsistent performances that had distorted the intended meaning of the historic song.
The revision, announced last week at Bulange, Mengo by Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro (Prime Minister) Charles Peter Mayiga, aims to restore the original meaning of the anthem, standardize its performance, and ensure its message is clearly communicated to current and future generations.
Composed by the late Rev. Polycarp Kakooza in 1939, the anthem has over the years been performed differently by various choirs and groups, leading to the mispronunciation of key words and stanzas.
Addressing the media, Mr. Mayiga emphasized that the anthem remains a vital symbol of Buganda’s identity, values, aspirations, and patriotism, and should not be treated as ordinary entertainment.
“When you listen carefully to all the stanzas, you realize that they focus on our daily life and speak to the current and coming generations, yet the anthem was composed about 90 years ago,” Mr. Mayiga said. “The Buganda anthem should be sung with its purpose coming out clearly. This song is not for fun because it is very crucial and should not be misused. It should bring out what we believe in, what we want, and our prayers for our country.”
According to the Katikkiro, the urge to revise the anthem arose partly from the inconsistent versions that emerged following the return of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, as various choirs performed the song based on unstandardized renditions.
He noted that some stanzas were being sung incorrectly or too slowly, rendering the anthem weak rather than conveying the strength and patriotism embedded in its message.
To fix the discrepancies, the Kingdom appointed a team of music experts, composers, trainers, and performers to examine how the anthem was being sung across various platforms. Spearheaded by the Minister in the Office of the Katikkiro, Mr. Noah Kiyimba, the review process spanned approximately five years.
Following an extensive review, the team selected the St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church Choir of Lubaga Cathedral to record the official revised audio rendition.
Mr. Mayiga clarified that the exercise was not meant to rewrite the anthem or alter the composer’s original message, but rather to preserve its intended integrity.
He further noted that Kabaka Mutebi II directed specific protocols for how the anthem should be performed going forward. All five stanzas must be sung at the opening and closing of major state functions, such as the Coronation, the Kabaka’s birthday, and the Lukiiko (Parliament). For other official events attended by the Kabaka, three stanzas will be performed in accordance with established procedure.
Mr. Kizito Mayambala, who led the technical review team alongside six music experts, affirmed that the core objective was addressing tonal and pronunciation errors.
“We have made some changes in the way the Buganda anthem is supposed to be sung, but we have not changed the purpose and meaning intended by the composer, the late Rev. Polycarp Kakooza,” Mr. Mayambala said. “We have come up with the correct audio rendition, with the right pronunciation and musical notation, to ensure that the message of the anthem is clearly communicated.”
Among the corrected words are Lyamanyibwanyo (previously mispronounced as Lyamanyiibwanyo), along with structural adjustments to phrases such as Okwetorola Ensi, Balwaana nyoo Muntalo, and Naffe Tulyagalenga.
Buganda Minister for Youth Joseph Kawuki added that the revised edition will resolve long-standing oversight by the public and serve as an educational tool to standardize the anthem’s tonation and protocol across all official functions.