The United State government sent a clear signal recently that it recognizes the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and his government as a critical power centre in East Africa when the US Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier trekked to Banda Palace to meet the Lion of Buganda. On February 18, 2009, Ambassador Lanier ignored the NRM’s claims that the Kabaka and Buganda nation are ancient and dying cultural institutions without any political power. He held extensive discussions with His Majesty on matters of mutual interest to the two nations of Buganda and United States of America.

The meeting was attended by Katikkiro, J.B. Walusimbi, the Attorney General, Owek. Apollo Makubuya.

Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier is a career diplomat with 26 years of service in the Department of State. Prior his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda, he served as the Foreign Policy Advisor for U.S. Africa Command headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.  Previously, he was the Director of the Office of Regional and Security Affairs in the Africa Bureau at the State Department.  Mr. Lanier has also served in the Philippines, Kenya, Thailand, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ghana.