The local correspondent on the ground, Eddie Mulyanyamumwa, who was speaking live on www.ekibakibe.com by phone said:  “Nze simanyi nnyo kubala bantu, naye kirabika abantu bassuka emitwaalo nga ena” (“I am not an expert at counting people but it appears that there are at least 40,000 people”).

The Kabaka was officially welcomed by the Butambala County chief, Twaha Lwanyaga, who introduced all the remaining 17 county chiefs. Other important Buganda figures present included the Katikkiro JB Walusimbi, princes and princesses, Buganda cabine members, Omutaka Nakirembeka, Alan Waliggo, all the Gombolola chiefs in Butambala and many others.

The Radio Free Buganda anchor in Boston, Mr. Robert Kabuye, inserted some humor in the long broadcast during the prayers. This is when one Reverend Matovu prayed for NRM’s president Museveni for “restoring the Buganda Kingdom”. Upset by the NRM propaganda from Reverend Matovu, Mr. Kabuye inserted his voice in the feed from Butambala and said: “Eyo esaala esabira Museveni atta abantu? Oyo omusumba wa NRM. ” (“A prayer for Museveni   who is killing people? That clergyman is an NRM.”)

For more details on Radio Free Buganda and Ekiba Kibe live broadcasts and replays go to: http://www.ekibakibe.com.

Since Wednesday, our sources in Boston, Washington DC and California were reporting  to us ongoing conference calls and arguments between Kabaka’s representatives, UNAA organizers and certain political activists about the Katikkiro’s letter of July 20, 2010. In fact, it appears as if  the press release by the Kabaka’s representatives intentionally avoided mentioning Katikkiro as a compromise with certain political interests. The very quick and thankful from Mr. Wilson only served to raise more questions about the loyalty of Kabaka’s representatives to Kabaka and Buganda.  One question is why Mr. Wilson, who saw the Katikkiro’s letter on Wednesday is pretending that it is the Kabaka representatives are the ones who clarified Buganda’s position.  Another question is whether Moses Wilson and Fred Kalema-Musoke sincerely believe that Buganda would not be participating in UNAA as stated in the Katikkiro’s letter, even if the current occupant of the Nnabagereka institution attends.

Some of these and other questions were also raised by Mr. Robert Kabuye on his www.EkibaKibe.com 1:30 PM radio program (July 25, 2010).  One question is, why the representatives did not report the Katikkiro’s message for 3 days. Robert Kabuye complained directly to the Katikkiro, asking: “Ababaka bakikirira ani?” (“Who do the Kabaka’s representatives represent?”). He explained that the representatives were elected by Baganda in their individual areas but they are now serving themselves, even censoring Katikkiro messages to us. According to Mr. Kabuye, many of his www.EkibaKibe.com listeners also want the Buganda Government delegation to come to Ttabamiruka ’10 prepared to explain the purpose of Kabaka’s representatives and why some behaving rebelliously. He added that the theme his radio for the whole of next week will be the Kabaka’s representatives and who they serve.

We reproduced Moses Wilson’s message without editing below:

From: UNAANET@yahoogroups.com [mailto:UNAANET@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of President UNAA
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 8:13 PM
To: unaanet@yahoogroups.com
Cc: ucoca@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [UNAANET] Nnabagereka to present UNAA Key Note Speech

 Community Members,

I would like to express my appreciate to Ssabasajja Kabaka’s
Representatives in the US and Canada for their recent clarification of the
position of the Government of Buganda relative to the upcoming UNAA
convention in Washington, DC. Some confusion had arisen as to exactly who
from the Kingdom was going to the UNAA convention in Washington, DC, and
who was going to the Ttabamiruka Convention in New Jersey.

In their official communication, the Kabaka’s Representatives very clearly
stated that the Government of Buganda was not sending representatives or
participating in the UNAA convention due to various ongoing issues in the
Kingdom.

However, the UNAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has
received confirmation that HRH Sylvia Nnaginda, Nnabagereka of Buganda,
will lead a delegation comprised of representatives from the Uganda Cancer
Research Foundation and the Nnabagereka Development Foundation to the UNAA
Convention in Washington, DC, where she will deliver the Key Note Speech.

Convention and Hotel Registration information can be found on the official
UNAA website (www.unaa.org)

Sincerely,

Moses R. Wilson
President (2009-2011)
Ugandan North American Association

Mr. Kabuye says that Ekiba Kibe later inquired with the leaders of UADA who told him that the UNAA organizers were lying. He finishes his broadcast saying: “Ffe tetujja kulanga bintu bya UNAA, ebyo mugende mubirangire ku Radio Rwakitura, eno radio ya Buganda.” (“We are not going to announce anything fof UNAA. Go put your announcements on Radio Rwakitura, this is a Buganda radio.”)

Click on  Ekiba_Kibe20Jul10 to listen to the July 20, 2010 Ekiba Kibe broadcast, in Luganda.

The UGCS is an Internet degreed issuing business, which enables individuals to earn degrees for less than $2000 and without the experience of regular examinations or interactive contact with instructors. Last week the Kenyan local press reported that letters inviting selected men and women to accept honorary PhDs at a Nairobi “graduation” ceremony, also asked them to make contributions towards the travel and accommodation expenses of the visiting American UGCS officials.

Pastor Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian Fellowship is one of the pioneering high profile “graduate” of the Internet “university”. On January 30, 2009, the New Vision reported: “… Kayiwa was recently awarded yet another Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree by the united graduate College and seminary, USA. D.Litt, a university degree which is above Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), is issued on the basis of research and its publication.” Businessman Bonny Katatumba, who serves as the Pakistan honorary counsel in Uganda, is another UGCS PhD holder and professor according to an April 15, 2010 story in the NRM government journalistic flagship,  the New Vision.

According to sources in the Ugandan evangelical community, where pastors Kayiwa and Kayanja are often regarded as annointed by God to do the right things, their followers are unaware that anyone can get UGCS degrees for less than $2,000.

According to the United Graduate College and Seminary website, the cost of a Bachelors degree is $1,595 plus the purchase of 5 books. As for the minimum academic requirements, the UGCS website state that: “Each student will be required to complete 35 hours of course work from United Graduate College and Seminary before we will grant a Degree.” In describing degree course work, the site states: “Each student is required to thoroughly read each book listed below. Each book is considered a (One 5- Hour Course). After each book is read, you need to write a 10 to 15-page paper for each book. In each paper we want you to, 1. Point out the principles found throughout the book. 2. List the valuable truths found in each book. 3. We want you to tell us how you can use these principles and truths in your ministry to others. Each paper needs to be typed with no grammatical errors. Size 14 font is suggested.” Notably, most of the content on the university’s website is is grammatically incorrect, with reckless use of capital letters on imperfect nouns.

To earn a PhD from the UGCS the cost jumps to $ 2,295. And the degree requirements are as follows: “The Student Candidate must have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree that is Approved your Seminary before the Degree is granted. The student will be required to write a dissertation that would be worthy of publication. However, the student is not required to publish their work. The dissertation will need to be minimum 60 pages or more. The average dissertation is between 60 to 100 pages long. A Bibliography of a minimum of 14 books the student has ead and referred to in the preparation for the dissertation will be necessary as well. The student will need to contact us before He or she be ins their dissertation and let us know what the dissertation will be on. Once we approve it, the student may begin. It is important that Footnotes and any research notes should be noted numerically after each quote with the source listed at the bottom of each page. This paper should not be turned into the seminary until the Curriculum is completed.”

The now popular (among Uganda’s poorIy educated elite) United Graduate College and Seminary does not place time requirements on its degrees reveal passing grades. The school, who e president is Dorothy Wisor claims that it is accredited by the United Association of Christian Churches and Ministries International (UACCMI). However, a check of the UACCMI website shows that the organization is owned b Martin Wisor, an apparent relative of Dorothy Wisor.

“We thank the mujahideens that carried out the attack. We are sending a message to Uganda and Burundi, if they do not take out their AMISOM troops from Somalia, blasts will continue and it will happen in Bujumbura too.”

Earlier, the head of Uganda police, army Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura had told the local press that he suspected Al Shabaab to be behind the blasts that rocked Kabalagala, Kamwokya and Lugogo around 4:00 PM local time. Bombs that failed to explode were also found in another GABA Road location and in Makindye.

On its part, Uganda’s dictatorial NRM government has reacted with threats of retaliation. Without providing detalis, Uganda army spokesman, Felix Karuyigye said: “Our promise to the people of Uganda will be fulfilled. Whoever brings the war to us, we take it to him. We will take the war to Al Shabaab if they have claimed to be responsible for this act.” In reality, the Uganda army’s ability to act is fully dependent on the American and Europen countries who pay for the salaries and food of the Uganda forces in Somalia. In fact at least 50% of the total national budget is also funded by Western donor countries. Yoweri Museveni has ruled Uganda with an iron fist since 1986 and, during that period, his army has has been involved in war and occupation in Buganda, Rwanda, Congo, Southern Sudan and now Somalia.

Matovu, who recently stepped down from a World Rally Championship seat with Peter Horsey due to work commitments, will now call the notes for 21 year old Essa for an event that they both know well. Essa is a double National Rally Champion in his Subaru Impreza N11 and after narrowly missing the win on this event 12 months ago the young talent will be gunning for overall honours.

Moses is looking forward to being back in action; it’s been a long time since WRC Rally Portugal, my last event, but I’ve always enjoyed Zambia and it’ll be good to challenge for a good result! Mohammed is a proven package and so it should be a good weekend!

The 2010 Zambia International Rally is the fifth round of the FIA African Rally Championship and consists of three days of high octane rallying action around Lusaka. The rally begins with a popular super special stage in the heart of the capital on Friday. From there the competitors face a number of challenging sections around the Chisamba region for the next two days before returning to Lusaka for the ceremonial finish on Sunday afternoon.

For more information on the rally please visit www.motorsport.co.zm

Speculations over who is responsible for the blasts are running wild both in Uganda and outside. According to a story by AP, the Uganda police commander, Kale Kayihura quickly claimed that he suspected Somali terrorist group al-Shabab to be the bombers. The AP also reported that Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an al-Shabab commander, told the news agency that he was happy with the attacks in Uganda. However, he did not claim responsibility. The western countries appear to be quickly coming to be accepting the Uganda’s governments story and have started promising assistance. However, in the opposition and Baganda nationalist circles there is strong suspicion that the NRM government could have planted the bombs to change the political dynamic in the country.

 A source in the Uganda opposition has told us: “When you look at the despicable things this government has done to keep itself in power, you have to include them among the suspects. How many Acholi died with the Kony hoax? Look at the Budo virgins they sacrificed in a fire and the thousands of Baganda they murdered in Luwero claiming that it was Obote’s army. They even went to Congo and slughtered thousands of Lendus. Have you forgotten the Kayunga riot massacre in October 2009? The NRM government breathes war, blood and genocide and they have a motive to do this. America and Europe will stop the noise about fair elections in 2011 if they fall for the trick. And if Baganda and Ugandan opposition parties are terrorized, many people will slow down political activities. By the way, even if it is Somali’s who did it, you can still blame this suffering on Museveni’s obsession with war and killing which pushed him to volunteer to take the UPDF to Somalia.”

About Uganda’s system government, the former Katikkiro says, “The electoral commission is Museveni’s personal property, the Parliament is owned by Museveni, the army and police are his and so is the civil service. But even more important, he has looted so much of the national assets; if he loses the elections, it is difficult to imagine how he will be prosecuted or imprisoned by the winner. That is why there is no way he will even allow the situation.”

About the opposition MPs, Owek. Muliika does not mince words. “Real parliamentary opposition disappeared in 1966. People like Betty Kamya and Latigo are mere pawns that Museveni uses to make his government appear legitimate. He uses them to argue to the donors that there is democracy in Uganda.”

On the inter-party coalition (IPC) that includes DP-Buganda, Mulwaanyamuli’s Suubi, FDC, Otunnu’s UPC, and others, Muliika, dismissed the whole idea as a farce that involves people who do not trust each other. He questioned why, if they have clear and intelligent political objectives, they do not form one party but constantly says that they are separate. He  refers to the alliance using a Luganda saying,  “Eyo alliance gyebayita ‘Malako enyama ompe amagumba’” (“That alliance in nothing but a  ‘You can eat the meat but leave the bones’ for me deal”). He calls the IPC evidence of the “politics of intrigue” from which Buganda cannot gain anything.  He challenges the audience to do some thinking with, “Lawaaki oyingira ekitima ekiwedde ng’otunula?” (“How can you blindly enter such an obvious trap with your eyes open?”)

On the holding of elections, Owek. Muliika argues that there should be no elections until Uganda’s constitution reflects the wishes of the citizen, not the current one, which was imposed by Museveni’s government. And until all national institutions are answerable to the people, not to an individual.

The retired Katikkiro called on Baganda in the diasopra to lead in the civic education of our people about their self-determination rights. He used Otunnu as an example, saying, “Although Otunnu is dangerous he still taught Ugandans something good.” He explained the president of UPC, which occupied and terrorized Buganda in 1966, recently taught Ugandans how to resist arbitrary and illegal police arrests by Museveni’s police.

One area that Owek. Muliika advised diaspora Baganda to include in the civic education is genocide. He told them that the Ugandans are practicing genocide against Buganda when they change the name of the kingdom from “Buganda” to “Central Region”. It is also genocide to change “Ssese Islands” [a Buganda county] to “Kalangala District”. All these things the Ugandans are doing by force to erase the identity of Buganda and Baganda are acts of genocide under international law.

In addition to the above Ugandan convetions, the Baganda also have Ttabamiruka ’10, a conference which is organized and sponsored by Ggwangamujje NY/NJ. Based on the information from www.ttabamiruka.com, the Baganda conference is focused on Buganda and Baganda issues.

As of early February, the principals in UDII were Messrs James Kabonge, Michael Muganga, Kawunde Miti, Fred Kambugu and Dennis Nnyondo, all Baganda Boston (see “UDII Members Respond To Baganda UN Demonstration Story”). The official UDII site, www.ugandansinthediaspora.org does not provide any information on the current leadership or membership of the organization.

The UDII conference announcement is reproduced below without editing.

Ugandans in the Diaspora International Inc. (UDII)

Washington D. C. Labor Day Weekend Conference

Ugandans in the Diaspora International Inc. is organizing a conference on Labor Day weekend – September 3rd – 5th, 2010 at the Westin Washington National Harbor Hotel, in Washington, D.C.

The theme is “The Urgent Need to Effect Political Change in Uganda”

Key topics that will be discussed at the conference include:

1. The current political situation in Uganda in light of the upcoming elections

2. The abuse of the electoral system, and criminalization of the political system

3. Human right abuses

4. The relationship between the Ugandan and the American Governments

5. The massive corruption and misuse of U.S. and other foreign aid to Uganda

The US government has been one of the biggest supporters of the Uganda regime for over 20 years. Without this critical support, the regime would not have survived for the two decades that it has been in power. However, there are now welcome signs that this unconditional support is far from being a permanent fixture. These signs include recent public pronouncements by the US government on democratic governance in Uganda.

Per announcements on Ugandan internet discussion groups, the Uganda government is preparing a massive lobbying effort in Washington, D. C., during and following the UNAA Convention, largely in response to actions taken by the current U.S. Administration, and Congress. The Uganda Government is sending a big delegation to the UNAA Convention which will stay behind after the event to continue its lobbying efforts, at Uganda taxpayer expense, especially with regards to next year’s elections in Uganda. A demonstration against this extravagancy is planned to take place during the conference in Washington, D.C.

It is therefore incumbent on the Ugandans in the United States to inform, educate and prepare the Washington DC establishment about the true nature of the situation in Uganda. This conference is part of this effort. The conference will bring together experts from various organizations, both private and public to discuss the Uganda political situation in detail. UDII will make arrangements for various opposition members attending the Convention to meet with key people in Washington DC to explore how the U.S. government can strengthen the opposition in Uganda in order to foster true democracy in Uganda.

A conference program will be forthcoming. If you plan to attend, please reserve a room at the Westin Washington National Harbor Hotel, phone number, 1-888-627-8104 http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/UGI03A

In preparation for the Conference, please read NRM’s original Ten-Point Program, available on several websites.

If you want to be part of this effort or need further information, please contact us at info@ugandansinthediaspora.org