This reporter has reliably learnt that contrary to the propaganda in the Aga Khan’s Monitor Newspaper, Kabaka Mutebi’s tour of Kayunga, in Bugerere county, was only moved back to ensure that it would take place in June when his school age subjects are home for the holidays.
A Buganda government official who spoke on condition that her name not be revealed, because she is not the official spokesperson, told us: “Abo aba Monitor babadde bamanyi since the weekend nti kyasalibwaawo Kabaka alabike e Bugerere mu June, abaana b’amasomero bafune omukisa okumulaba obulungi. Era bamanyi bulungi nti Ssabasajja akyaali mu Bulaaya ku mirimu emitongole. Naye engeri ba namawanga gye batujoogamu ennaku zino basazeezo bayunge section ku Kabaka waffe. (“Those Monitor people have known since the weekend that it had been decided that Kabaka would appear in Bugerere in June, so school children would get a chance to see him. And they also know that Ssabasajja is in Europe on official duties. However, given the tendency for foreigners to abuse us these days, the Monitor span the story to embarrass our Kabaka”).
On May 9, 2009, the public relations secretary for the committee organizing Kabaka’s visit to Bugerere, Mr. Sseruboga, announced that the tour had been moved from May 16, 2009 to June 27, 2009, after the school holidays start. Earlier, 50 people who claimed to be Banyala elders has staged a demonstration against the visit. The Uganda government mouthpiece, the New Vision, and the pro-Museveni Monitor Newspaper have all given prominent coverage to the 50 man demonstration. On May 12, 2009, the Daily Monitor went as far as writing a story with the headline, “Kabaka postpones Kayunga visit after threats by Banyala”, suggesting that Kabaka’s visit had been blocked by the 50 man demonstration.
Our contact s in Boston and New York tell us that some Baganda in the two cities are very angry about the huge leadership gap at Mmengo. The general feeling appears to be that those in charge at Mmengo seem to be obsessed with quick money given the excitement they showed over the recent Shs 350 Million grant from President Museveni. Yet Buganda’s current challenges require leadership that is not shy to protect Buganda’s national interests and integrity and listening to Baganda from all walks of life.
