The King Visits the Forest School for Traditional Healers!

watching as the king's convoy speeds away

the King (under the umbrella) and Dr. Sekagya (director of PROMETRA Uganda)

*so below is the article I wrote to update the PROMETRA website, but the powers at be said we also need to check in with all classes at the forest school to get the spiritual significance of the visit, as well as interview the "royals", board members, spiritualists, and spirits!!! also I didn't include here how we stayed out at the Forest School all week to prepare for the visit, and on my first morning there (my 6th day in Africa, and after I had been told by one coworker that I could sleep in as long as I wanted) my boss came running down the dorm hall at 7:10 am shouting "Loud-a, Loud-a (Laura) everyone is already hard at work- digging!!!" I had been sound asleep, and in a daze asked "should i get up?". the answer was "yeah!". So I pulled myself out of bed, put some pants on, and stumbled outside where the "manager" woman asked me if I would like to use the hoe or the slasher. I pointed at the hoe, and then we hiked down to where the forest classrooms are. I ended up using the slasher to cut grass (which is like a golf club with a blade). We had interesting talks about spirits during the breaks...

"His Majesty" Visits PROMETRA-Uganda

On October 7th PROMETRA Uganda’s Institution of Traditional Medicine was blessed with a visit from the Kabaka of Buganda. He is the King of the Buganda Kingdom, the head of all Buganda clans, and the cultural leader of 7.5 million Baganda in Uganda and in the diaspora. It was a great honor for PROMETRA Uganda to be recognized for high achievement by the Kabaka.

Starting in the morning, large numbers of people starting gathering to greet the king when he arrived. There was traditional drumming and dancing for everyone to enjoy. Many women were dressed in elegant and colorful gomesis and some men were clad in kanzus. Some PROMETRA trainees and graduates were wearing their Institution coats, which said “Herbalist”, “Bonesetter”, “Traditional Birth Attendant”, “Mental Specialist”, or “Spiritualist” on the back. Children roamed around in groups, excited by the festive atmosphere.

The King’s convoy finally arrived in the late afternoon, after fierce sun, a long downpour, then fierce sun once again. By the time he arrived well over a thousand admirers lined both sides of the red dirt road.

After the convoy stopped the crowd ran towards the Kabaka’s car, trying to get as close as possible to him. He got out and went into a shrine with Dr. Sekagya. Afterwards he planted a medicinal and spiritual tree, and then Dr. Sekagya presented him with cultural gifts. They walked together over to the plaque he commissioned for PROMETRA. He signed PROMETRA’s guest book, and then shortly after got back into his car and the convoy sped off again.

After the King departed, those who came to greet him were treated to a big traditional Ugandan meal of matooke, cassava, ground nuts paste, cow intestines, beef, cabbage and tea. Some PROMETRA staff members spent 2 days preparing the meal. It was a tasty and joyous ending to weeks of preparation for the event.

For one who is not Buganda, it might be difficult to imagine the vast love that Mugandas have for their king. One Muganda explained that people would lay their bodies down in the mud for him to walk on. Another said that the visit was like when you are really in love with your boyfriend or girlfriend, and then you see them after a long separation.

Although tired after a long day, all in attendance were ecstatic after seeing their King.

“On a spiritual level, it was a very successful visit. On a material level, it depends on peoples’ expectations,” reflected Dr. Sekagya.