Controversial Uganda Map Sparks Outrage Over Buganda Omission

Uganda Today Edition: Controversial Uganda Map Sparks Outrage Over Buganda Omission

A recently circulated map of Uganda, highlighting the country’s ethnic regions, has ignited widespread controversy due to the conspicuous absence of Buganda — the largest and most prominent ethnic region. The map, which displays regions such as Acholi, West Nile, Karamoja, Bunyoro, Lango, Teso, Bugisu, Bukedi, Tooro, Ankole, Kigezi, and Busoga, replaces Buganda with labels for “North Central” and “South Central.”

Masaka Leadership Rejects the Map

Masaka district leadership, led by Chairman Jude Mbabali, took a firm stand against the map’s distribution. They rejected textbooks meant for the district’s schools, citing the books’ depiction of Uganda without Buganda. Mbabali emphasized that the district could not accept educational materials that undermine the cultural identity of Buganda.

Public Outcry on Social Media

The map’s omission of Buganda has triggered a social media firestorm, with many Ugandans accusing the government of deliberately erasing Buganda and its heritage.

Gabriel Bbuule, a vocal social media user, condemned the move, stating, “It’s actually stupid to assume that deleting Buganda on the map of Uganda will erase Buganda and Baganda. It is within our DNA, and nothing will ever make us feel sorry for who we are.” John Mary Odoy a senior citizen didn’t mince words in his missive : No Buganda, no Uganda

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Another user echoed similar frustrations, writing, “The deliberate exclusion of Buganda from several official maps is as ridiculous as it is ludicrous. If they really want to erase Buganda from the map, then let them come and annihilate all of us… Otherwise, akaalo kebayita Buganda kadda, atte ela kaliko nyini ko.”

Map’s Origin and Purpose

Amid the outrage, it emerged that the map in question was first released in 2018 by the Ministry of Health to represent Uganda’s vaccination coverage. It was never intended to serve as an official representation of Uganda’s ethnic regions but was designed to convey public health data. However, this context did little to quell the rising anger.

Responses from Buganda and the Government

The backlash prompted a response from the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. Speaking during his birthday celebrations in Masaka, he expressed his disappointment: “Lately, there have been maps of Uganda that have been released from government agencies. As we speak, those maps do not include Buganda. All the other regions of Uganda are on the maps, but Buganda is missing. Therefore, I wonder, what is the intention of this?” The Kabaka stressed

In an attempt to address the controversy, the Ministry of Health, through Permanent Secretary Diana Atwiine, reassured the public that the omission was unintentional. “You cannot transfer districts or land from one place to another. Places remain wherever they have been before. Uganda remains Uganda, one nation,” she stated.

A Debate on Identity and Representation

While the controversy may stem from a misunderstanding of the map’s original purpose, it underscores a deeper issue — the sensitivity surrounding cultural identity and representation in Uganda. For the Baganda people, whose kingdom carries historical and cultural significance, the omission represents more than just a cartographic error.

As the debate rages on, the government faces a delicate balancing act: addressing public sentiment while ensuring future communication materials are clear, inclusive, and culturally respectful. For now, the map stands as a powerful reminder of how representation — or the lack of it — can stir national emotions and challenge unity.

Buganda, Busoga, Bugisu, Bukedi, Bunyoro, Acholi, Lango, West Nile, Karamoja, Ankore,Tooro, Kigezi, Teso and Rwenzori were the 14 ethnic regions that were merged to Buganda to form Uganda at the Lancaster conference.

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