Saturday's land reform rally has sparked fears among analysts that more people will meet violent ends as ethnic rivalries grow [EPA]

The current tension in Uganda stems from disputes between the government and members of the Buganda, the largest of Uganda's four ancient kingdoms.

These kingdoms were banned in 1966 but reinstated by Yoweri Museveni, the president, in 1993. However, Museveni has restricted their leaders to a largely ceremonial role to avoid potential political rivals.

But this policy has become a contentious issue. Ethnicity, land ownership, political representation and federalism are all points of tension.

The 5.5 million Baganda people make up the largest Ugandan ethnic group, representing more than 16 per cent of the population of 32 million people.

Members of the Buganda ethnic group have clashed previously with the government over land rights. And when they announced a land reform rally in the town of Kaynga, northwest of Kampala, on Saturday, these tensions were bound to come to a head.

Haruna Kanaabi, the executive secretary of the Independe Media Council of Uganda, told Al Jazeera on Friday that "the land issue did not start yesterday ... it started even before the colonial days".

"But this conflict isn't only about land, but about recognition of ethnic groups," Kanaabi said.

Rally troubles

Despite relative stability and economic growth, friction has increased between the Buganda and members of the smaller Banyara tribe, who claim the Buganda refuse to recognise them.

Museveni, an ethnic Munyankole, has tried to prevent the rally in the interests of public safety.

And the odds that the violence will continue on Saturday have increased after police said they would prevent Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II from travelling to a political rally.

"The king will attempt to continue with his royal visit despite the conditions that have been set by the president which they haven't met ... we are most likely to witness more violence, more than we have seen today," Kanaabi said.

The government's refusal to allow the trip on security grounds sparked the first day of rioting on Thursday, with the king's supporters insisting he should be allowed to move freely.

As the Kabaka, or king of the Buganda kingdom, Mutebi has huge cultural influence.

One pro-Kabaka demonstrator, Rashi Kibirige, told Al Jazeera of his loyalty to the regional royal.

"I am a strong believer of the the king. He is called kabaka. I believe in him so much, so I don't regret what happened [Thursday's riots]," he said.

In an attempt to deal with the crisis, Uganda's information minister, Kabakumb Matsiko, has shut down radio stations she says are inciting people to riot.

"The violence and lawlessness was preceded by inflammatory and sectarian broadcasts from various radio stations which systematically incited listeners to cause chaos and destruction," Matsiko said.