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Charles Peter Mayiga, the premier of Buganda kingdom, has urged international visitors to look beyond common stereotypes about Uganda, saying the country offers far more than boda boda and traffic congestion.
Mayiga made the remarks while hosting Jamaican dancehall star Grace Latoya Hamilton, professionally known as SPICE, at Bulange Mengo, the administrative seat of the Buganda kingdom, during her cultural tour ahead of her maiden concert in Uganda.
The visit is part of a week-long cultural immersion programme organized by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in partnership with the Buganda kingdom, aimed at promoting Uganda’s cultural tourism.
SPICE is scheduled to perform at Lugogo Cricket Oval on May 9. Welcoming the artist, Mayiga described Uganda as one of the most culturally rich and naturally endowed countries in the world, urging global audiences to appreciate its deeper identity.
“Beyond the boda bodas and the traffic congestion, Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries on this continent and in the world. But the world needs to know more about our wildlife, our cultural way of life, our food, and our music,” Mayiga said.
He emphasised that Buganda, one of Africa’s oldest cultural institutions, remains central to Uganda’s cultural tourism, describing it as a “living heart” of the country’s heritage. During the ceremony, SPICE was given a traditional Kiganda name, Nankula, and officially placed in the Enkula (Rhino) clan, an honour that symbolically connects her to Uganda’s cultural roots and wildlife conservation efforts.
UTB chief executive officer Juliana Kaggwa said the visit marks a turning point in how Uganda engages international entertainers. She noted that SPICE is the first global artist to fully explore the country before performing, a model UTB now plans to make standard practice.
“We are making history here today. SPICE is the first international artist to truly explore Uganda to visit heritage sites, engage with our culture, and experience our tourism offerings firsthand,” Kaggwa said.
UTB CEO Juliana Kaggwa (R) at Mengo
As part of her tour, SPICE has visited key cultural and natural attractions, including the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial ground for four Buganda kings.
The site is one of Uganda’s most important cultural landmarks and a cornerstone of the kingdom’s history. The Buganda kingdom, founded in the 14th century by Kabaka Kato Kintu, is the largest traditional kingdom in Uganda, with a population of about 14 million people.
It has played a significant role in shaping the country’s cultural identity over centuries. Mayiga also used the occasion to highlight the historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, describing SPICE’s visit as a symbolic homecoming.
He noted that music remains a powerful link between continents, transcending colonial history and geographical distance.
“Your presence here is a reconnection with your roots,” he told SPICE.
SPICE, who has spent several days touring Uganda, described the experience as emotional and deeply personal. She said she felt a strong sense of belonging and connection to the country.
“I feel at home; there is a bond here that I cannot fully explain. The love, the culture, the people – it is something special,” she said.
The artist also praised Uganda’s food, hospitality, and vibrant music culture, saying she was honoured to be embraced and formally welcomed into a clan. Her visit also highlights UTB’s promotion of the “Kabaka Trail,” a cultural tourism route linking key heritage and religious sites such as the Kasubi Tombs, Bulange, and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo.
Tourism stakeholders believe such initiatives will help reshape Uganda’s global image, shifting the narrative from urban challenges to the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa, continues to position cultural tourism as a key driver of growth in the sector, with authorities hoping that high-profile visits like SPICE’s will attract more international visitors and investment.
Related
, https://observer.ug/business/uganda-is-more-than-boda-bodas-traffic-jam-mayiga-tells-jamaican-star-spice/
