The new president of one faction of the Democractic Party (DP) has explained on his Facebook page that his name does not stand for Milton Apollo Obote. The posting by Mao says:

I was amused when I found that the Obote bogeyman was being used against me. Some people have started a whispering campaign that my name Mao stands for Milton Apollo Obote! Yet in reality this is a clan name from the P’Mao clan of Pawel in Acholiland whose great great great grandfather was called Mao. I also have over a dozen other Acholi names given to me by my many relatives. But this is the nature of the game. But we shall not be cowed. Our counter attack will be lethal.

We can report that during his student days at  Namilyango College in Kyaggwe county, Mao encouraged schoolmates to believe that his name stood for Milton Apollo Obote. A Namilyango old boy who informed us about Mao’s Facebook page told us: “Since the mid 1980s Nobert never complained about the Milton Apollo Obote thing when we said it. In fact he started as a strong UPC supporter, like his late father.  If anything, he encouraged people to think his name was connected to Obote. I can believe him now if he says that it is not true but why claim it is a new whispering campaign?” We have independently confirmed this with two other Namilyango old boys.

The Government of Buganda has published the press conference on the second Buganda Conference, slated for December 2009. The government is bravely taking on this challenge in the midst of a military occupation by Uganda’s NRM government, led by Yoweri Museveni. Most Buganda analysts think that it is too early to tell what Museveni will do about the conference.

The press conference, which appears on the official Buganda website, www.buganda.or.ug, is reproduced in full below:

BUGANDA CONFERENCE FOR 17TH DECEMBER 2009

Buganda Kingdom is organizing the second annual Buganda Conference to be held on the 17th December, 2009 at Hotel Africana under the theme “a Federo System of Governance for Uganda”.

The conference is an annual event graced by the Kabaka of Buganda with an aim of creating a platform for debate and interactions on the Kingdom’s issues.

According to the chairman organizing committee who also doubles as the Kingdom’s attorney general, Apollo Makubuya, the conference is expected to attract over 1000 participants from across the country.

He explained that discussion on federalism for Uganda is very important because many people have mistaken it to be an issue for only Buganda.

According to Makubuya, the conference will enlighten people within and outside Buganda that federo is not about Buganda seceding from Uganda or attaining a superior position but to grant power through the law to people in various parts of the country to work on developing their regions.

He added that the conference will also discuss the regional tier government among other issues and why Buganda Kingdom does not want it.

Makubuya reassured that the conference will be addressed by prominent scholars from various parts of Uganda and renowned international scholars on federalism from countries like Nigeria, USA and the United Kingdom among others.

He explained that unlike last year’s conference which was free of entry, this year’s event will require registration with a fee of 25000 Ugandan shillings each. He added that this fee has been set to help the organizers in the preparations of a successful event.

The conference was first held last year as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 15th coronation anniversary. However, due to the numerous problems encountered this year, the Kingdom was forced to shift the event to a later date.

Given it’s success last year, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was greatly impressed and resolved that the conference be held annually.

The conference which was themed “Development and Governance of Buganda in Uganda” attracted several scholars including renowned Professors Ali Mazurui and Mahmood Mamdhani among others.

It should however be remembered that last year’s conference was interfered with by the arrest of three Buganda Officials Medard Sseggona Lubega, Charles Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze Bakireke. Sseggona was arrested early morning before kick off of the conference while Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze were captured late night after the conference. The trio were held hostage and incommunicado for a week during which they were dragged into several cells in various parts of Western Uganda including Bundibujo, Masindi, Ibanda, Kabarole, Kagadi Fort Portal and Kyenjojo.

The sale of invitation cards to the public shall be announced very soon.

The Buganda Kingdom attorney general, Owek.  Apollo Makubuya said in a press statement yesterday that the second Buganda conference would take place on Saturday December 17, 2009. Owek. Makubuya, who chairs the organizing committee explained that the  conference would clarify the differences between Federalism, Decentralization and Regional Tier.  The theme of the conference is to promote federalism as the best form of governance for Uganda.

Decentralization is an improvised form of government which Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and Uganda’s warlord president, Yoweri Museveni, implemented in 1995, with the help of Denmark, Norway and other western countries. It was brought in to derail Buganda’s demands for a federal system (Federo). Regional Tier is a highly unpopular (in Buganda) form government which was secretly negotiated between Museveni and Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Ssemwogerere, which would have allowed Museveni to take charge of the Buganda government and for non-Baganda to assume the cultural office of Katikkiro.

When announcing the 2009 Buganda Conference, Owek. Makubuya revealed that federalists from the USA, UK and Nigeria were expected to participate in the conference. Participants are also expected from Busoga, Bunyoro, Toro, the Diaspora and academia. Owek. Makubuya suggested that Buganda is politically isolated and promised to fix the problem by making it clear that Buganda is not demanding for Federo alone.”

Two weeks ago, a retired former Buganda Government official currently visiting in North America, told us that there are three camps at Mmengo on the issue of Buganda political situation. He said: “The situation is similar to administration of Katikkiro Michael Kintu in the early 1960’s. Kintu and his supporters pushed for Buganda independence, arguing that all our neighbors secretly hated or envied Buganda and could not be honest partners in the long run. They were accused of being ‘radicals’, not accommodating and even ‘uncivilized’. Today, it is Muzei Nsubuga Nsambu in the camp which is accused of the same because he insists that Buganda must not repeat past mistakes and the solution is secession.”

The elderly grandfather continued: “Opposite to Kintu’s camp, in 1960, was a larger camp which was ‘more educated’ and liberal camp, which promoted ‘Federo for all who want it’. Mayanja Nkangi, who now helps Museveni manipulate Buganda’s lands, was one of these young firebrands and ended up becoming Katikkiro. Even today the second camp are viewed as the more educated and modern and, like 45 year ago, they are  pushing hard for ‘Federo for all who want it’.  History is repeating itself 100% except that Museveni is more sinister and dishonest than the colonialists or Obote.

“The third camp, both in 1960 and now, are those who either do not have enough information or enough courage to push for one side or another. Thanks to Buganda’s democratic traditions, all camps are expected to have their say at the Buganda Conference in December. Also expected is heavy infiltration of occupation government agents, to intimidate people and influence events.”

According to our Boston sources, Lt. Frank Musisi of the USA army told the Buganda Emergency meeting on October 17, 2009 that president Museveni is paying Buganda Post to write malicious stories about him (Musisi). Lt. Musisi was apparently referring to an October 17, 2009 posting which said that both at UNAA Chicago and a Los Angeles Baganda conference, the USA army officer had claimed that he was leading the Buganda cause in America (see “Muliika And Frank Musisi To Headline Boston Buganda Emergency Conference“). Apparently, fully aware that the Buganda Post story was accurate, Lt. Musisi never told his Boston audience what Buganda Post had written which inaccurate, let alone malicious.

On October 17, 2009, over 300 angry Baganda from Boston, New York, Washington DC, California, Kampala and many other places attended the one day conference. Several sources told us that it was nothing short of an intense indoor demonstration against Museveni’s NRM dictatorship. It must have given Deputy Katikkiro Ssendaula a real headache (see “”). By far, the phrases which attracted the most standing ovations were,”Ssabsajja awangaale” (Long live Ssabasajja [Kabaka]” “Buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo” (”every goat back to its home peg”), “Teli kuteesa!” (”No negotiations”), “Ettaka lyaffe eribe tujja kulibajjako”(”we shall reclaim the land they have stolen from us”) and “Museveni must go!”.   By all measures, the conference was very successful in proving that Baganda love their nation and Kabaka. And that most Baganda are tired of the anti-Buganda Ugandan politics.

One attendee, who requested that we do not disclose her identity, described the meeting to us in an email as follows:  ”At the beginning I got confused because I thought that this was an emergency meeting, may be to decide how to deal with Museveni land grabbing. But for the first  two hours, people were talking about Buganda history and how Federo is good for other regions too. To me it was starting to sound like a Uganda emergency conference.”

The attendee continued: “However, things changed when one light skinned gentleman called Kintu spoke about the real problems of Buganda. In my opinion, that is when the conference really started.  Mr.   Kintu asked Baganda to stop fearing independence and power. He mocked those take the attention off Buganda’s interests to support Uganda’s fake politicians, mbu because they have military or international exposure. He got the biggest applause when he said, ‘Abo bannabyabufuzi bemwesibako bali recycled, tebalina kyebayiinza kutukolera mu lutalo luno” (”All those [political figures] you are standing behind are recycles materials, they cannot do much for us in this war”).  Everyone shouted loudly when he told us to stop mincing words when discussing Buganda’s enemies, and said we must not fear to name them.  And the audience started shouting Apollo Nsibambi, Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Ssekandi.”

According to our source Mr. Abed Bwanika, who previously stood against Museveni for president also got some people excited but, unfortunately, he never clearly said what he wanted. “He said a lot of things about how Museveni and his NRM have looted Uganda and have caused Baganda to suffer, but I never heard him firmly say that he is 100% for Federo or that he is for Buganda independence. To me it was clear that Bwanika wanted our support because he is a Muganda, but what can he realistically give us back, even if he became president?”

Owek. Dan Muliika and Lt. Musisi were the main speakers, as Buganda Post had reported earlier. Our source told us that Owek. Muliika as usual never disappointed. He gave a wonderful speech and explained that Museveni has no legal power to force the current constitution of Uganda on us. The different parts like Buganda, Toro, Acholi, Lango, etc., which formed Uganda must sit together now and agree on how to go forward. They can agree on Federo or even agree on ‘buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo’. Musisi, who is very popular in Boston, excited people when he said that Museveni must go. However,  he confused some of us when he started claiming that his life was in danger because of his stand on Buganda. Without explaining, he told us that Museveni plans to kill him but that he was not afraid of going to Uganda. Then he claimed that Museveni was paying Buganda Post to publish stories about him. The problem is that, at UNAA, Musisi really claimed that he was going to lead the fight for Buganda. Now, in Watertown, he was asking us give him financial support but it was for his personal hospital in Ssese, not for Kabaka’s programs.”

In a related development, we can report that all Kabaka’s representatives in North America did not attend the Boston conference, except the Acting representive for New England, a Mr. Jane Lwanga. However, Ggwangamujje DC and Ggwangamujje NY/NJ sent strong delegations, although none of them spoke at the conference.

When asked to comment on Mr. Musisi allegations, Buganda Post’s chief moderator and editor, Omulongo Nakato, said that it would be stupid for Buganda Post and Musisi and engage in verbal battles. “We try to do everything we can to maintain unity among Baganda. Also, occasionally we might make mistakes and will admit them. However, we stand by our story that, in front of many witnesses both at UNAA Chicago and in Los Angeles, Lt. Musisi claimed leadership of Baganda in America. And he and certain supporters of his made it clear that they wanted the Boston Emergency conference to announce one Muganda to carry Buganda’s flag in the Museveni’s 2011 elections. Mr. Musisi should listen to all the promotional SMS messages for the conference. If Museveni paid Buganda Post to write lies against Musisi, then he (Musisi) should specify what we wrote which is not true.”

During a joint press conference with Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziiza on May 29, 2009, president Museveni repeated that he had a secret meeting with Katikkiro JB Walusimbi of Buganda where the two agreed to take the draft Land Act of 2009 to parliament for debate. The Buganda Lukiiko had on May 11, 2009, passed a resolution that the proposed new land law was unacceptable to Buganda. It was in response to the resolution that Mr. Museveni first claimed that he had a secret agreement with Mr. Walusimbi. The Uganda president has never explained the legal basis of his negotiations or agreements with the Katikkiro, since he (the president) has many times told the nation that Mmengo is a cultural non-government organization (NGO) without political power.

A source close to Uganda’s state house has exclusively told us in an email that president Museveni and his team are now trying to work out new plan on Buganda after getting disappointed by Katikkiro JB Walusimbi. And that their plan includes undermining Walusimbi so he can be replaced quickly. According to the sources: “The Katikkiro set very high expectations for Mr. Museveni and his people when he took the office. He assured them that he could bring order in Mmengo, which Sendaula was not strong enough to do. The problem is that he is now seen as much weaker and less reliable than any Katikkiro since Kabaka Mutebi assumed Namulondo.  Talina lugendo [‘His journey is over’] with state house because Mr. Museveni prefers a strong enemy who he can spy on to get useful intelligence than a weak friend, who people tell very little. Don’t be surprised to hear Museveni continue to make Walusimbi look bad – he wants him to go.”

During the May 22, 2009 press conference, Mr. Museveni also announced that he has a team ready to negotiate with Mmengo on Federo and other Buganda demands. In what some analysts have called a “carrot and stick” style, Mr. Museveni has over the last 15 years called Mmengo a cultural organization which is illegally getting involved into politics, while at the same time calling them to discuss their political demands.   On Monday April 20, 2009, Katikkiro Walusimbi informed the Buganda Lukiiko that he had chosen a committee of 10 to represent Buganda in the negotiations with Mr. Museveni’s government. Owek. Walusimbi and Rwandese Higiro Semajege would lead the committee, with Apollo Makubuya and Charles Peter Mayiga, the two Mmengo officials who, with John Katende and former Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Semwogerere accepted Regional Tier deal from Museveni. Kabaka and Baganda rejected it, causing Mulwaanyamuli to be fired.

One New York based Muganda analyst says: “Museveni is playing with Mmengo to buy time, and expecting that with time so much of Buganda will be taken over by foreigners that Mmengo will have to accept whatever they are offered. First, he set up a legal system where Mmengo can never get what it wants even if he says yes to them. Then he is his flooding Buganda with Balaalo, Sudanese and others to where the population is now over 60% foreign. And if Mmengo keeps trusting this man, by the time the so called talks end in 2020 Baganda may be 15%, and no one will care who a Muganda is. One way out I see is for Ssabasajja to do a complete modernization of the Mmengo system so that it can deal with Buganda challenges without depending on the abilities of a single individual. And he cannot do this with the same people who are running Mmengo 1960’s style today.  If that does not happen, the only other thing I think ordinary Baganda have done in history is to take things in their hands and save their Kabaka, Namulondo and nation.” 

On May 11, 2009 the Lukiiko (National Assembly) of Buganda sat to discuss a draft of the proposed new land law from Mr. Museveni’s government. Below the Luganda press release by the Buganda minister of Lukiiko Affairs and Information, followed by an English translation (by Buganda Post).

Reaction to the resolutions by ordinary Baganda have been mixed. On one extreme are the polititicaly aware men and women who are not afraid of President Museveni and are frustrated by, what they claim to be the cowardice reflected in the resolution. One of these is one Kampala businessman who said: “It is a shame that while our forefathers and Muteesa II died for Buganda, today’s Lukiiko is even afraid of making Museveni angry by stopping to beg him for our stolen property”. And on the opposite side are those who insist that if we carefully and respectfully tell Mr. Museveni what Buganda wants, he will one day be kind and give everything back to us. This group includes Uganda prime minister Apollo Nsibambi, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya and other staunch supporters Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and Buganda minister Charles Peter Mayiga.

EBITEESO EBIYISIDDWA OLUKIIKO LWA BUGANDA – May 11, 2009

Olukiiko lwa Buganda olutudde olwaleero nga 11 May 2009, lutegedde bulungi ya Ssabawolereza wa Gavumenti ya Ssaabasajja Kabaka ku bbago ly’enkola y’enfuga y’ettaka mu Uganda.  Oluvanyuma lw’okukubaganya ebirowoozo ebiteeso bino wamanga biyisiddwa:

1.   Newankubadde nga waliwo ensonga enkulu ezirambikiddwa mu bbago ly’enkola n’enkozesa y’ettaka eryakasembayo okufuluma, naye wakyaliwo ensonga endala enkulu ennyo eziruma Buganda ez’etaaga okwekenenya n’okukenenula n’obwegendereza nga tetunatuuka ku nzikiriziganya ey’awaamu ku nkola y’enfuga y’ettaka mu Uganda.

2.   Wakyaliwo ettaka lya Buganda lingi erikyali mu mikono gya Gavumenti eyawakati eryanyagibwa nga kyandibadde kirungi Buganda okuwa ebirowoozo ku nkola en’efuga ettaka mu Uganda, ng’ettaka eryo limaze okukomezebwawo eri bannyini lyo abatuufu nga mwemuli n’ettaka lya lukale mu Buganda erimanyiddwa nga erya Mayiro 9000, embuga z’amasaza, amagombolola emiruka n’Ebyaffe bonna omuli ne official Estates.

3.   Olukiiko lusabye Katikkiro wa Buganda ategeeze Gavumenti eya wakati eyamuwereza ebbago ly’enfuga eyo agitegeeze ebiteeso by’olukiiko bino wamu n’ensonga zonna ezirambikiddwa mu kiwandiiko kya Ssaabawolereza wa Gavumneti ya Buganda.

CHARLES PETER MAYIGA
MINISITA W’ENSONGA Z’OLUKIIKO N’AMAWULIRE

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BUGANDA LUKIIKO – MAY 11, 2009

The Buganda Lukiiko which has sat today on May 11, 2009, has fully understood the presentation by the Attorney General of Ssaabasajja Kabaka’s Government on the draft new law intended to govern land administration in Uganda. After discussion, it has been resolved as follows:

1.  Although  there are many important questions which have been addressed in the latest draft of the proposed law, many important issues that negatively affect Buganda remain, which require careful further study and analysis before we can reach comprehensive agreement on how land administration should work in Uganda.

2.  The [Uganda] central government still holds a lot of land that was stolen from Buganda and it would be nice for Buganda to participate in the debate on the law after that land has been returned to its rightful owners, and that includes the 9,000 square miles of [Buganda] native lands, real estate for ssaza (county), ggombolola (sub-county) and miruka (parish) headquarters and all that is ours (“Ebyaffe”), including office estates.

3. The Lukiiko has requested the Katikkiro of Buganda to communicate these resolutions to the [Uganda] central government which sent the draft proposed land law, along with the additional details which have been documented by the Attorney General of the Buganda Government.

CHARLES PETER MAYIGA
MINISITA W’ENSONGA Z’OLUKIIKO N’AMAWULIRE

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the oldest active Buganda nationalist organization, Abazzukulu ba Buganda, passed a resolution that Mmengo made a huge mistake when they accepted Shs 350 Million (US$162,790) from president Museveni. The organization members were at their weekly meeting along Kabaka Anjagala Road, near Mmengo Bulange. They warned the Katikkiro and his group that, as they spend Museveni’s money, they should be mindful that it has strings attached that could even land some of them into deep trouble. They criticized Katikkiro Walusimbi for taking the money without consulting Baganda and going to the Buganda Lukiiko only to block its discussion by throwing tantrums.

The organization’s secretary, Mr. Njuki Mubiru explained that Mr. Museveni’s govermnent had set a trap for Mr. Walusimbi and the others who will enjoy the money: “After they have misused the money the Uganda govermnent will surely ask for accountability; when they can’t provide it, they could well end up jailed as it happened with a Museveni confidant, Teddy Seezi Kyeeye.

Abazzukulu ba Buganda have been at the forefront of resisting Mr. Museveni’s attempts to undermine the Buganda’s national interests. They led the protests against attempts by princess Ndagire and her supporters to defame Kabaka Mutebi and take over Kasubi Tombs. They were also instrumental in exposing and fighting the infamous anti-Buganda Regional Tier agreement which Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Ssemwogerere, along with Charles Peter Mayiga, John Katende and Apollo Makubuya negotiated with Mr. Museveni. The organization was founded by Haji Jjunju Kamulali and others. They are also known for their persistent fight against attempts by retired Church of Uganda Archipishop and Katikkiro Walusimbi to lease the Lubiri to Ugandan businessmen, including those who have been implicated in war crimes in Congo, money laundering and illegal drug trafficking.

During the April 20, 2009 Buganda Lukiiko meeting Katikkiro Walusimbi announced his unilateral decision to accept  Shs 350 Million (US$162,790), about the price of a half acre plot of land on Naguru hill, as a gift from Mr. Museveni to Buganda. According to Mr. Walusimbi, the Shs 350 Million is the first installment on a Shs 1 Billion (US$930,000) grant from President Museveni to Buganda to fund his (Mr. Walusimbi’s) personal plan for Buganda, called omumuli. Mr. Museveni’s government owes the Buganda Kingdom at least Shs 10 Billion (US$9,300,000) in real estate rent and other arrears. This is in addition to 9,000 square miles of Buganda native lands worth hundreds of millions of US dollars which were stolen in 1966. 

In a move which has left some Baganda in shock, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Engineer JB Walusimbi has included a Munyarwanda in the team to negotiate with President Museveni over the disputed amendments to the Land Act of 1998. The Munyarwanda is Fred Higiro Semajege, who serves as the deputy speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko despite complaints by many Baganda who believe that he is an agent of the Rwanda government. In an email sent to Buganda Post, one former minister at Mmengo said: “We are shocked! In taking a Rwandese to negotiate with other Rwandese and Banyankore over the rights of Baganda, Walusimbi has made it so obvious that his loyalty lies with Rwandese and Banyankore, not with Buganda. In the process, he and his friends may create the basis for long term hatred of Banyarwanda and Banyankore in Buganda. It is as if everyone involved in this nonsense is totally incapable of seeing beyond their nose. How can they take such a huge risk on a government that is collasing under the weight of its corruption?”. Earlier this month Buganda Post reported that Baganda in Masaka and Kampala were troubled by Katikkiro Walusimbi’s special attention to Rwanda (see Baganda Question Katikkiro On Flowers For Rwanda Victims).

On Monday April 20, 2009, Katikkiro Walusimbi informed the Buganda Lukiiko that he had chosen a committee of 10 to represent Buganda in the negotiations with Mr. Museveni’s government. Owek. Walusimbi and Rwandese Mr. Semajege would lead the committee, with Apollo Makubuya and Charles Peter Mayiga, the two lawyers who, along with John Katende, previously advised former Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Semwogerere to accept the Regional Tier deal with Museveni. Later, at Ttabamiruka ‘07 in New Jersey Makubuya apologized to Baganda, saying: “I mistakenly participated in the negotiations because I sincerely believed that we were dealing with principled and honorable people on the Uganda government side”.

The team will also include Dr. Masagazi Masaazi who earlier named as one of Mr. Walusimbi’s representatives in numerous money related secret negotiations with Mr. Museveni over the past several months (see Uganda Government Names Katikkiro’s Co-conspirators). Another member of the team is Haji Abdul Nadduli, best known for being disqualified from running for Luweero district chairman after forging his academic qualifications which later lead to his imprisonment. Additional members of the committee are Mr. William Matovu, Naalinya Beatrice Namikka, Mrs. Joyce Mpanga and Retired Bishop Wilson Mutebi of Mityana.

Buganda’s Attorney General, Owek. Apollo Makubuya, has rubbished suggestions by anti-Buganda forces that Mengo had been engaged in a war of confrontation with Mr. Museveni’s government and has declared a unilaterally “cease fire”.  See our story titled “New Vision Suggests That Mmengo Has Surrendered”.

In a letter in the Daily Monitor of January 7, 2009, Makubuya made it very clear that Buganda’s interests are focused on getting Mr. Museveni to return all Buganda’s assets which were stolen by Obote’s government in 1962 and to stop denying the people of Buganda their human right to be governed as they wish. He argues that: “On this point, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between the regime that confiscated these assets in 1966 from the one that holds and refuses to fully return them to the rightful owners in 2009!”

Makubuya expresses surprise that on January 4, 2009 the New Vision wrote that “Buganda Kingdom officials have decided to stop any more confrontation with the Central Government.” and, in a later editorial declared that, ““finally sense has prevailed”. However, he  does  not address  Katikkiro Walusimbi’s  statements, which invited Mr. Museveni’s New Vision to write the propaganda stories in the first place.

Virtually every Muganda this reporter spoke to on Friday and Saturday was very happy that Makubuya had quickly and aggressively moved to correct the dangerous impression that Katikkiro Walusimbi’s words seem to have created, whether intended or not. Our source at Mengo Bulange to us: “Some of us cannot understand why the Katikkiro says things which are opposite to what the positions and ordinary Baganda want and Kabaka Mutebi has agreed with.  But we are happy Kabaka Mutebi wisely appointed other men and women who can clean up the way Makubuya did.”

Makukubuya’s letter is reproduced below:

Buganda Kingdom stands for peace

On January 2nd the New Vision run a front-page story entitled “Mengo wants peace with Government” which claimed that “Buganda Kingdom officials have decided to stop any more confrontation with the Central Government.

This was followed by a condescending editorial on 4th January proclaiming that “finally sense has prevailed” presumably because Buganda is to focus on development in the new year.

I was taken aback by the above statement because, first, it wrongly suggests that the Kingdom of Buganda has had a policy of confronting the government which it stopped by way of a unilateral “ceasefire”. Secondly, because the statement suggests that the Kingdom of Buganda has abandoned its past concerns and will now focus on “development” so as to achieve “peace” with the Government.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Kingdom of Buganda has not had a policy of confrontation. It wants and stands for peace above all. Claims to the contrary are simple propaganda. Its demands for Federalism for Uganda; its criticism of the Land (Amendment) Bill 2007; its protestations against the inhuman and illegal detention of its officials last year; its perennial demands for the return of its assets that were illegally confiscated in 1966 and its campaign against economic and social marginalisation of the region, amongst others, cannot amount to “confrontation”.

In fact, I dare say, on issues such as the illegal arrests; the Buruuli saga; the continued refusal to return its assets; and the diatribe from senior government officials on several fronts, the Kingdom has been and remains on the receiving end.

While the Kingdom is interested in development -in the New Year and beyond- it is inconceivable that it will be silenced on critical matters such as the land laws and the balkanisation of its territory that are inimical to its very existence. It would be fool hardy for Buganda to dwell on “development” in the face of a systematic campaign for its annihilation.

It is important to note that the Kingdom of Buganda constitutes part of Uganda and that its demands and concerns are perfectly constitutional. Buganda is entitled to be governed through its will and consent.

Yet, unlike other disgruntled groups, the Kingdom has not taken up arms to fight the current regime. Instead, it has since 1993, attempted to engage the Government to return its stolen assets amongst others, in a civic way. On this point, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between the regime that confiscated these assets in 1966 from the one that holds and refuses to fully return them to the rightful owners in 2009!
Thus, it is misleading for anyone to suggest that the Kingdom will cease “confrontation” or, indeed abandon its legitimate demands unless – of course – these are comprehensively and mutually addressed in the New Year.

In my view, peace and development in Buganda and Uganda will follow constructive dialogue not suppression or concealment of legitimate concerns.

Apollo N. Makubuya
Attorney General, Buganda Kingdom.
makubuya@mmaks.co.ug

The Attorney General of Buganda, Owek. Apollo Makubuya, told a press conference yesterday that the Kingdom of Buganda is determined to continue fighting against President Museveni’s Land Amendment Bill 2007. After several months of appearing to be in limbo, the controversial bill was brought back to the Uganda parliament in mid Novembers for scrutiny and approval. The bill seeks to some sections of the 1998 Land Act, to enable the thousands of Balaalo and other foreigners who the government has imported into Buganda from Western Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo to get immediate legal rights to Buganda lands which was illegally taken. Such land includes Buganda’s 9,000 square miles as well as large tracts of private Baganda land, whose owners are either overseas or powerless to protect it.

President Museveni’s key soldiers pushing the unpopular bill in parliament include Baganda Edward Sekandi (the speaker), Apollo Nsibambi, Rose Namayanja, Ruth Nankabirwa, Abraham Byandaala and James Kinobe. According to parliamentary sources, the the bill is highly likely to pass because virtually all western MP’s routinely vote for anti-Buganda bills and many Baganda MPs have been “facilitated” to toe the NRM line. The Baganda MP’s who are leading the fight on Buganda’s side include Michael Mabikke, Moses Kabuusu, Sarah Nyombi Nansubuga, Beti Kamya and Hussein Kyanjo.

At the December 8, 2008 press conference Attorney General Makubuya and Buganda Minister for Research, Daudi Mpanga, made it clear that Buganda will continue to fight the anti-Buganda bill. As he has done in the past, Makubuya pointed out that the bill amounts to a deception which was hastily put together.  “It does not address the real courses of eviction as the government claims,” he argued. On his part, Daudi calmly told the press that Mr. Museveni’s parliament could pass the bill if they want. However, it would not work in Buganda.