Friday, March 19, 2010
PRESESS RELEASE
Dear Fellow Ugandans:
RE: KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RESTORATION FUND
An emergency meeting for Baganda residing in Southern California was held on Thursday 18, Mar 2010 at 9411 Burnet Avenue, North Hills CA 91343 at 7:00PM.
The meeting was called by Lt. Frank Musisi to discuss the issue of the destroyed Kasubi Royal Tombs and the Way Forward.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE MADE AND ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY:
1. To send a sympathy message to the Royal family of Buganda and to the entire Buganda kingdom for the loss of the royal regalia which was gutted in the inferno of last Tuesday’s that destroyed the Kasubi Royal Tombs.
2. Pledged to restore the Kasubi Royal Tombs in collaboration with Mengo establishment, Buganda Kingdom, and the Baganda in Diaspora by mobilizing and contributing the necessary financial resources for this job.
3. Established a special fund, ” Kasubi Royal Tombs Restoration Fund (KRTRF)”.
4. A sum of $1 million is to be raised in between 8-12 months if at least 1000 Baganda and friends of Buganda in the United States each contribute $1000.
5. An Interim Organizing Committee was put in place consisting of the following members to spearhead the project, KRTRF:
a. Chairman: Lt. Frank Musisi
b. Vice Chairman: Mr. Damiano Kigoye.
c. Secretary: Mr. Fredrick Mwanje.
d. Treasurer: Ms. Prossy Musoke.
e. Publicity Secretary and mobilization: Mr. Dennis Nnyondo
f. Assistant publicity Secretary/ Mobilization: Mr. Arthur Ssembusi.
Interim Committee Advisors:
a. Mr. Dennis Kavuma, Buganda Tourism ZSAR in the U.SA.
b. William Ssenkumba, Buganda Tourism Commissioner
c. Mr. Moses Male, Buganda Tourism Commissioner
d. Mr. Siraje Mugambe- President of the Ugandan Community Organization in California (UCOC).
6. Members present pledged a sum of $11,480 immediately to the KTRF
7. Members resolved to send the Chairman, Lt. Frank Musisi immediately to Mengo to meet with Buganda Officials and update then on formation of the” Kasubi Tombs Restoration Fund (KTRF)” and way forward.
8. Members resolved to advise the Buganda Leadership not to seek assistance from Uganda Politicians but rather concentrate on the generosity and spirit of the loyal Baganda and friends of Buganda around the globe.
For more information on how you can contribute towards the KTRF please contact:
Chairman, Lt. Frank Musisi (818)-994-1485,
Vice Chairman, Mr. Damiano Kigoye ( 310-227-9253),
Advisor, Buganda Tourism Zsar, Mr. Dennis Paul Kavuma at 818-620-9448,
and others on the Committee.
Awangaale Ssabassajja Maggulunnyondo, Wa Buganda.
Yours Sincerely,
Dennis Nnyondo (818-201-7048)
Publicity Secretary & Mobilizer
Kasubi Tombs Restoration Fund
Los Angeles, California (USA)
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I invite all Baganda and certainly those of us interested in the advancement of Buganda to be very cautious about individuals and groups claiming to be raising funds for the restoration of Kasubi. Appearances are not always what they seem to be. I do not assume that because a certain Lieutenant claiming to be pro Buganda is necessarily saying everything. Likewise, I do not assume that any and all Ugandans are interested in advancing Buganda’s best interests. Learn from the past so that we all can avoid tomorrow’s problems.
Ask yourselves the hard questions and do not stop until you secure credible answers. Who commissioned the fund raising and what structures are in place to ensure that every dime collected actually ends up in Buganda. Even then, who has taken the time to investigate and make sure that money received by the kingdom actually goes to do what the intended purpose is or was. Who can tell me what the revenue collected from Kasubi prior to the fire did? What happened to the money generated by CBS before it was closed by the Museveni regime? Surely it did incur costs and expenses as all businesses do. However, does anyone know what the net profits were allocated to and if so, what did such accomplish for Buganda. Is there a mechanism via which financial independence can be accomplished for and on behalf of Buganda? Are those charged with the administration of Buganda really pursuing Buganda’s causes? What evidence, I mean credible evidence, can anyone point me to suggesting that money collected and generated during the ordinary course of business has been and will continue to be allocated to Buganda’s causes in an effort to alleviate poverty, grow Buganda and create an environment of development in Buganda? Is there any single project or, simply, anything Buganda has done during the last 10 or so years that we all can point to and proudly say “Buganda is moving forward”? When is the last time anyone heard Buganda, the administration that is, undertake to improve the structures in Buganda? Is it only me who sees the grass growing, rubbish accumulating around the Lubiri, potholes leading to the palaces and, plainly stated, a dysfunctional institution that is crying for leadership and direction? Has the central government limited our thinking, our call to action and our collective input? How do we address our complaints and through what mechanism or avenue? Does the Kabaka play any role in enforcing what is presumably the mandate if any, he has given to those below him? What evidence is there? Do we really believe that things will be different if we collect the millions of dollars and Billions of shillings we allege are owed to Buganda? Stop and ask yourself what you envision to be the case 6 or 12 or 18 months after the receipt of this money by our Kingdom. It pains me to note that there are no simple answers to my concerns and questions. It hurts and pains me more to note that nobody is asking these questions and, I see no effort to change the stagnation that has crippled our institutions. Everyone is apparently out for their own stomach while playing lip service to everything but that which is important. Guys and gals let us make a difference by not compounding the problem. Let us start the conversation by asking and trying to respond to these concerns in an effective manner. As far as I see, the mourning period will conclude with nothing gained from this tragic experience. If I am in error, please advise me accordingly. Otherwise, I see a pattern of continuing doom and nothing to be proud of anytime soon.