Royal palace handed back in Uganda

In Uganda, the traditional palace of the Buganda royal family has been formally handed back by the government at a grand ceremony attended by thousands of people.

Roads leading to the palace -- known as Mengo Lubiri -- were packed as the king or Kabaka arrived in a motorcade escorted by outriders and traditional Baganda bodyguards carrying spears.

The palace, which has been used as a military barracks since 1966 when the royal family was forced into exile, is in a state of disrepair.

It's to be renovated and turned into a palace and university.

Under President Yoweri Museveni, the royal family have been rehabilitated -- and a new Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, was crowned four years ago.

Buganda was an established kingdom for centuries before it became part of modern Uganda.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service