Despite lack of recognition and, sometimes, outright hostility from some Buganda Government officials, Abazzukulu ba Buganda are widely recognized one of the leading groups in protecting Buganda’s rights. Abazzukulu, as they are often referred to, have for more than 10 years actively argued that Buganda has been under occupation since 1962, and needs to free herself. They are responsible for exposing many anti Buganda plots by Museveni and at Mmengo. For example, in the 1990’s Abazzuklu ba Buganda led the ejection Princess Ndagire from Kasubi tombs after she was hired by Museveni to discredit Kabaka Mutebi by calling him a son of Daudi Ocheng.  Another example was in July 2004, when Abazzukulu challenged Mmengo over Shs 800m which Museveni’s government is alleged to have secretly paid to members of Katikkiro Ssemwogerere’s team to disorganize planned Baganda demonstrations for Federo.

Except for the brief period when Dan Muliika was Katikkiro, the relationship between Mmengo and Abazzukulu over the last 15 years, has been quite tense. In 2006 the group did not spare, even Muliika, when they accused him of being soft for glorifying Federo. Abazukkulu insist that Buganda has been under occupation, since 1966. Federo is a cowardly compromise that demeans what our ancestors died for and the only solution is full national independence under our Kabaka.

Below are the minutes (in Luganda) of a meeting members of Bazzkulu had with Katikkiro JB Walusimbi on August 31, 2009. This was less than two weeks before the infamous genocidal massacre of Baganda by Museveni’s NRM police and army. Throughout the meeting, Abazzukulu expressed disappointment with what they view as incompetence, corruption and anti Buganda activities at Mmengo.

ENSISINKANO Y’OLUKIIKO LWA BAZZUKULU BA BUGANDA NE KATIKKIRO OWEK J B WALUSIMBI NGA 31/08/09 

Ebikulu ebyaali mu nsisinkano eyo

Okussoka kwa byonna tukwebaza olw’omukisa okutusisinkana n’okubaganya naffe ebirowoozo ku nsoga zaffe, wadde ng’ezimu tewazinnyonyoka.  Ekituwandiisizza kwekulamba ensisinkano yaffe naawe kulw’okulondoola byetwayogerako.

Ettemu eriyinda

Olukiiko lwakulaga obweraliikirivu bw’Abaganda ku butemu obugenze mu maaso okumala ebbanga; ng’omwo mwemwaali n’okwokya abaana be Buddo.  Lwakutegeeza nti kati mu Buddu, e Kyannamukaaka, Kyesiiga, Kiziba, Mutondo ne Bisanje mwaali mutemuddwaamu abantu naddala ng’abatemu beeyita abalwanirira federo n’ettaka.  Naye gavumenti egamba nti abo babbi.  Ekyo olukiiko lwakigerageranya n’ekyokuttirimbula abaganda nga Joseph Mubiru ku mulembe gw’Amin- naye ng’akabinja akabatemulanga kaasasulirwanga gavumenti ya Nyerere.  Ate era nga mungeri y’emu abaganda abattibwa e Nankulabye mu 1964, gavumenti yakiteeka ku batamiivu.

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti okutemula abantu naddala abaana kati okudenda mu maaso kukkweekeddwa mu “kissadaaka abaana”. Kati bakugasseeko n’okubba abaana abawere mu malwaaliro mu Buganda.

Olukiiko lwakulaga nti lubuusabuusa nti ebyo sibitegeke butegesi ebigenderera okuteekesaawo etteeka eriyingirira ebyobuwangwa byaffe..  Era olukiiko lwakutegeeza nga bwekiwulirwa nti waliwo etteeka nga lyayitaako n’emungalo za Dr Nambatya nga lisuubirwa okukola ng’erya 1929 eryawera ensinza n’enzikiriza Nansangwa.

Olwebyo olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu lwakusaba okuzuukusa enkola ya Gwanga mujje eyambeko abaganda okwewa obukuumi.  Era lwakusaba okuteekawo okulondoola obutemu buno obugenda mu maaso ng’okundoola gavumenti ya Rwanda eweebwa Bungereza sente okugula ettaka lya Buganda. 

Olukiiko lwagattako n’okulondola ebitebe by’amawanga ag’ebweru agali wano ng’ekya Bungereza ne Sweden, n’ebitongole byaabyo ebyobwannakyeewa ebikolera wano.

Kyalabika nti naawe obweraliikirivu obulina naye ng’obusobozi obukola ku nsonga eyo olina butono.  Era walaga obweraliikirivu ku bavubuka abatalina mirimo abangi, abanywi bejaaye okuba nga bayinza okweyambisibwa okukola ettemu eryo.

Ku kyokuzuukusa enkola ya Gwanga Mujje wabuusabuusa obusobozi bwaayo okukola mu kibuga nga Kampala kubanga abantu beefaako bokka tebakyakolangana n’abannaabwe.  Naye walaga essuubi nti mubyaalo enkola ya Gwanga Mujje eyinza ob’olyaawo okusoboka okukola.

Olukiiko lukkiriza nti tolina busobozi bummala.  Naye era lukimanyi nti osobola okubaako ky’okola mu mbeera eno.  Twaakuwa amagezi okweyambisa ebitongole ebirwanirira eddembe ly’obuntu, n’ebyamawulire, bannaddiini n’abaganda bannakyeewa abalina obumanyirivu mu nsonga ezo.

Map ya Buganda

Olukiiko lwemulugunya ku kya Mmengo okuffulumya Map ya Buganda entongole ng’eriko amasaza 18. Nga map eyo ebulako amasaza 2 Buyaga n’eBugangaizi.

Olukiiko lwakubuuza nti nga bwetukyaali mubuwambe, bwebulikya ng’amasaza amalala nga Buluuri, Singo, ne Bugerere gatwaaliddwa ng’olwo Mmengo era effulumya Map endala eraga nti amasaza ga Buganda gali 13?

Emivuyo gy’ettaka

Olukiiko lwebuuza lwaki mmengo eyogera ku mailo 9000 zokka n’erekayo mailo 8000?

Olukiiko lwakubuulira emivuyo egikolebwa Buganda Land Board.  Lwakutegeeza nti abayeekera Kabaka abali mu BLB, bagoba abaganda ku ttaka n’ebaliwa abagwiira.  Okugeza mu Gombolola y’omukulu w’ekibuga mu Kisenyi mu Buwanika zone awaali enju y’omuwanika BLB yagobawo Abaganda abakolerawo n’ekakasa obwannanyini  bwa Gaster Mugoya  eyabba ettaka eryo ng’ayita Uganda Land Commission (ULC).

 N’e Makindye Ssaabagabo, e Buziga e Konge BLB egoba abaganda ku ttaka, eriwe mukyaala Museveni eyalibbira mu Uganda Land Commission.

Ekifaananyi abayeekera bano kyebalaga abaganda kiri nti Kabaka y’abagoba ku ttakka okuliwa abagwiira.

E Nansana abantu bajjibwaako sente 200,000/= okuwandiisa ebibanja byaabwe naye nga tebaweebwa alisiiti.  Era olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti abayeekera bano abaliira Kabaka munda bagendera mu motoka za BLB okugoba abantu ku ttaka n’okumenya enyumba zaabwe nga bwekyaali eBusaabala.

Olukiiko lwakubuuza lwaki ovumaganya Ssabasajja n’okumukyayisa abantu be  ng’oyita mu Kitongole kya Buganda Land Board.

Kunsonga ezo watuddamu nti;

Ekyogeza ku mailo akenda kokka n’ebalekayo eddala kiri nti mailo akanaana kali mi mikono gy’abaganda.

Ku kya Buganda Land Board watutegeeza nti eno BLB eriwo kati teringa eri eyaliwo eya 1962-66.  Eno evunaanyizibwa ku lusuku lwa Kabaka olwa mailo 350 lwokka.  N’olwekyo nti Buganda Land Board (BLB) teri mu buyinza bwo.  Nti Kabaka yagifuya butereevu.

Watutegeeza nti ebyo naawe wali obiraba era obiwulira.  Naye obuyinza bwo butono ku BLB.  Wabula watugamba nti abo betwaayita abayeekera bwetubasanganga aga balya enguzi oba ngabakola emivyo egyo tubakkwaate tubakuleetere, nti ojja kutandikira awo-okubakolako.

Olwa 24/May/1966

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti lumaze emyaaka kuminagumu nga lutegeka omukolo gw’okujjukira olunaku lwa 24/ May/ 1966 Buganda lweyawambibwa Uganda.  Olukiiko lwakujjukiza nti nga 21/may/2009 lwakusisinkana n’erukusaba olunaku olwo olwa 24 May lutongozebwa.  Nti era lwakikola mu buwandiike nga bwewalusaba.  Olukiiko lwayagala okumanya ensonga eyo weyimiridde.

Okuboolebwa

Olukiiko lwakutunuza mu nsonga yaalwo ey’okuboolebwa ku mikutu gyamawulire, newankubadde ng’ebibiina n’abantu bonna bakkirizibwa okuwa endowooza zaabwe eri abantu.

Emikutu olukiiko gyerugezaako okuyisa endowooza yalwo, abakozi baayo abakiiriza Abazzukulu bagobebwa ku mirimo.  Ebyokulabirako ye Nsereko Basajja Mituba (WBS), ne Sempala (Sapiensa).

Olukiiko lwakulopera nti ate yo ku CBS “Radio Yaffe” ekintu kyonna eky’olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu tekisobokera ddala kuyita ku mpewo.  Nti n’ebirango by’olukiiko  ebisasulire nabyo byaali tebikirizibwa emirundi egisinga.

Mu kuddamu ensonga zino watutegeeza nti ensonga ya 24-May ebbaluwa yaffe wagifuna.  Nti era wali ogenda kugitwaala mu Cabinet mugiteeseeko era olwa 24-May luteekebwe ku calendar lujjukirwe nga Abaganda mu butongole.

Ku ky’okuboolebwa CBS olukiiko walusuubiza nti ogenda kwogera n’abagivunaanyizibwaako olabe nti tuweebwa omukisa ng’abalala.

Eby’okukola oluvanyuma lw’okummibwa Federo

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti Buganda kyeyeetaaga kati bwetwaaze, kubanga ne Federo nabwo buffuge.

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti Buganda kati erina ebizibu bibiri byokka – ebisinga obukulu. Nti ebizibu ebyo bwe bigyibwaawo, ebirala byonna byekolako byokka.

Ekizibu ekisooka Buganda kyerina ye ffe Abaganda abaliwo kati.  Omuzungu bweyajja wano yakozesa eddiini n’obuyigirize n’agootaanya ebirowoozo n’okutegeera kwaffe, nga kati wetwaatuuka tetukyasobola kumanya nti Buganda ne Uganda Chemistry w’abyo wanjawulo nnyo n’olwekyo tebisobola kutambulira wamu wadde okugattibwa.

Buli bwetugezaako okubisisinkanya wabeerawo okubwaatuka.  Kino kiri bwekiti kubanga Buganda lyo Gwanga tonde butonzi ng’eyalitonda yaliteerawo obutonde/obulombolombo bwalyo mweritambulira.  Ate yo Uganda yateekebwaawo bantu buntu-ng’etambulira ku kupangapanga na kuffumbirira kwa kiryammere.

N’olwekyo eky’obutonde n’ekyobulyammere tebiyinza kugattibwa wamu n’ewatabeerawo buzibu.  N’omutonzi tasobola kukikkiriza, naddala bwekiba nti ekyekiryammere ate kyekigenda okuffuga eky’obutonde!!! 

Kyova olaba nga kati Abaganda bangi nnyo batuuka n’okulowooza nti awatali Uganda, Buganda tesobola kubeerawo.

Ky’ova olaba nti kati eby’eBuganda tuffunvubira buli kimu kukigonjoolera mu  byabufuzi n’abafuzi ba Uganda n’ewankubadde nga buli lwe tugezezaako tekisobose wabula  tukifunyeemu kutabulwa na kusoberwa!!!

Ky’ova olaba ng’Abaganda balowooza nti Kabaka ne Pulezidenti bafaanana/ benkana.  N’olwekyo pulezidenti bwaakola ebibye ne Kabaka bwateekwa okubikola.

Ky’ova olaba nga kati Abaganda banji balowooza nti nga pulezidenti bwakulakulanya ensi gy’afuga, ne Kabaka bwakulakulanya Buganda.  N’owulira ng’omuganda agamba nti “Ssabasajja Kabaka awangaale – akulakulanye obuganda.”

Enjogera eno ewulikika ng’entuufu naye evaamu ebizibu binji nnyo nyo byetutayinza kumenya netubimalayo.

Ekyokukolera ekizibu kino kifaananira ddala nga Martin Luther King ne munne Malkom X kyebaakolera baddugavu bannaabwe kyebaayitanga “Black Consciousness Movement” olw’okujja abaddugavu mu buddu mwe baali bamaze emyaaka eminji ennyo.

Naffe wano Abaganda, olw’obuddu omuzungu bweyatuteekamu emyaaka minjiko egiyise, okutegeera n’okukiriza kwaffe byasuulibwa mu bunnya n’etufuuka abatakyaalina bwesige mu Nyaffe Buganda netufuuka abatakyasobola kumulwanirira, kumukolerera nga bajjajjaffe bwebaakola. 

Nolwekyo waliwo obwetaavu bw’okuteekawo Buganda Consciousness Movement.

Olukiiko lwagenda mumaaso nerukulaga nti ekizibu ekyokubiri Buganda kyerimu bwe Bufuge.

Buli bufuge w’ebubeera bufuuka obuddu.  Obuganda obufuge bwe kika kya Federo bweyamalamu ebbanga bwagifuula OMUDDU- wa Uganda.

Ky’ova olaba nga tetulina ddembe ly’akwerowooleza na kwesalirawo – kubanga omuddu teyeelowooleza era yeyeesalirawo!!!

Ky’ova olaba nga tetulina ddembe lyakubeera na byaffe nga n’okututta webaagalira we batuttira newatabeerawo n’avunaana kubanga omuddu tabeera na dembe lyakubeera na bibye nga n’obulamubwe buba bwa mukama we.  Ne bwamutta, tewaba avunaana.

Ky’ova olaba nti ettaka lyaffe twerwanako bwerwanyi nga buli ayagala y’atwaala.

Tuteekwa buteekwa okulwanyisa okuffege/obuddu obwa buli kika, nga ne Federo mweri kuba nakyo kika kya Bufuge obuzaala obuddu.

Buli bwetwogera ku Federo tukimanye nti tuba twogera ku kika kya Bufuge/ Buddu kubanga tuba twettanira waggulu wa Buganda kuteekayo Uganda  ne waggulu wa Kabaka kuteekayo pulezidenti!!

Ky’ova olaba nti n’ewankubadde mu 1966 Buganda yali ekutte “full Federo” mu ngalo, Uganda yatukuba netugwa ku taka kwetukyalemeddwa okuva!!

Federo teyatuyamba kubanga mu Federo newankubadde twesigaliza “Obuyinza” obusinga naye baatusuula ku taka kubanga akusinga akukubisa gw’okutte!!

Ate era Owekitiibwa, amajolobera ge tuteeka ku federo si gaayo kubanga Federo emyaka ena gyetwamala nayo (ng’omuzungu agenze) tewali kyetwagikolamu kubanga emyaka ena twagimala amazzi tuffuuwako mafuuwe nga Gavumenti ya Uganda etukuumira ku bunkenke!!

Wabula tusaanye okujjukira nti obufuge/obuddu twabuyingira mu 1962 olwendagaano gyetwaakola nga tuli n’Amawanga amalala 14 olwensonga zino wammanga.:

1. Okutondawo ensi Uganda
2. Okutondawo gavumenti ey’okufuganga ensi Uganda
3. Olwokugatta amawanga 15 agagikola
4. Okuteeka amawanga 15 wansi w’obufuge/obuddu bwa Gavumenti ya Uganda.
5. Olwa Buganda  okupangisa gavumenti ya Uganda ettaka lye Kampala ne Entebe, gavumenti ya Uganda ekolereko emirimo gyaayo.

Wabula mu 1966 gavumenti ya Uganda yatema ettabi kweyali etudde bweyamenyawo endagaano gyetwogerako ne kiba nga kyategeeza era kikyategeeza nti byonna endagaano byeyali eteekawo byavaawo kubanga tebiyinza kusigalawo ng’endagaano eyabitondawo tekyaaliiwo.

N’olwekyo Owekitiibwa Katikiro, okumenyebwaawo kw’Endagaano eyo bwe Buwonero bwa Buganda kubanga kati Buganda terina ndagaano na muntu yenna.  N’olwekyo tewali ateekwa kudduumira Buganda wadde okugisongamu olunwe.

N’olwekyo kati Buganda ya dembe okwefuga yokka.  Kyeturina okukola nga Buganda  kwekuwawabira bannakigwanyizi abalemera ku ky’okufuga Buganda obuddu mu kooti y’e kibiina kyamawanga amagatte [UNO].

Owekitiibwa, wakiriziganya n’olukiiko ku kyokutwaala ensonga za Buganda mu kooti yensi yonna- mu kibiina ky’Amawanga amagatte.

Okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka

Mukukubaganya ebirowoozo  naawe olukiiko lwasanga lulina obwetaavu okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka, naye lusobole okumwanjulira ensonga ezo.  Nerukusaba olusobozese okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka.  Owekitibwa watusuubiza okutukolera entegeka ku nsonga eyo.

Ekyaapa kya Bulange

Twaffundikira ne nsonga y’ekyapa kya Bulange. Ku nsonga eyo watunnyonyola nti ekyaapa kya Bulange kyayawuzibwaamu ebitundu bisatu.  Ekimu kwekuttudde Bulange, ekirala kwekuli oluggya lwa Bulange.  Ekyokusaatu kwekutudde ekizimbe Amin kyeyazimbako (Bulange Plaza).  Watulaga nti mwagala kufuula kizimbe kya Bulange plaza kizimbe kyabusuubuzi ekyawule ku Bulange.  Era watutegeeza nti ekyaapa ekikadde kyabula.  Nti kati kyemulina kya 1993.

Olukiiko lwebuuza ekyayawuzaamu ekyaapa ekyo emirundi esatu.  Olukiiko lwewunnya ekyayawuza ekyaapa ky’oluggya lwa Bulange okukigya ku kizimbe – Bulange kyennyini.

Olukiiko terwakiriziganya naawe ku nsonga y’akuzimba kizimbe kyabusuubuzi nga kirinaanye Bulange.  Netukusaba nti bwekiba nti ekizimbe ekyo mwagala kukimaliriza wadde nga tekyaali ku plan ya Bulange, bwekiba kizimbiddwa kireme kubeera kya busubuzi, zibeere office za Bulange.

Katikiro tewakaanya naffe kunsonga eyo.  Era naffe tetwakkaanya nanteekateeka yakukutula ku Bulange kifo kyonna kukifuula kintu kirala kyonna ekikendeeza ekitibwa ky’ekitebe ky’obwakabaka bwa Buganda.

Olukiiko lwakulaga obweraliikirivu bwerulina eri olukwe lw’abalabe ba Buganda olw’okusaanyaawo buli Kintu kyonna ekiraga nti waaliwo kko eggwanga erjyjtibwa Buganda eryefuga likirimegga eryekitiibwa etutumufu. Olukwe olwo olutera okukweekebwa mu nkulakulana po namakubo g’okuyingiriza obwakabaka sente luluubirira nadala kusaanyawo olubiri lw’eMmengo, Amasiro naddala ag’eKasubi, Bulange n’obutaka bw’eBika.

Olukiiko lwatuuka ku nkomerero, era nerugalwaawo. Olw’okulamba ensisinkano eno ku lw’okugoberera ebyakkaanyizibwako tukusaba Ssebo owekitibwa Katikkiro okirize otuteereko omukono wamanga wan

Katikkiro                                                          Ssentebe

………………………..                                             ……………………………

J.B Walusimbi                                                   Mubiru Njuki ku lwa Ssentebe
                                                                        Olukiiko Lw’Abazukulu Ba Buganda

Former Buganda Katikkiro, Daniel Muliika, and past president of the Uganda North American Association (UNAA), Frank Musisi will be the headliners at the October 17, 2009 emergency conference in Boston, USA. The official organizers are Ggwangamujje Boston. The organizaton has had no active executive since its elections failed elections in November 2008 (see ” November 9th Ggwanga Mujje Meeting Similar to Uganda and Kenyan Elections“).

After the September disturbances, however, the community elected Mr. Buwembo Mayanja to be the caretaker leader and see the association through the troubled times until a new executive is elected. So, Mr. Mayanja is the key decision maker, assisted by several other community members. It is Mr. Mayanja who announced the Emergency Buganda Conference shortly after Lt. Frank Musisi lost the UNAA presidency to Moses Wilson. This writer was there at the Chicago UNAA when, within minutes after Musisi lost the vote, he publicaly declared that he had been cheated and he was now going to focus on leading the Buganda cause in America. He made these statements in the presence of  Omulangira Wasajja and Buganda ministers Nakiwala Kiyingi and  Peter Mayiga who came to represent Buganda.

According to the Buganda Emergency Conference poster that the organizers have been cirulating over the last few weeks, the objectives of the event are (a) To examine the current conditions in Buganda and (b) to find ways to get out of the dire situation. However SMS messages which have been broadcast over Baganda cell phones by one of the organizers, Robert Kabuye, explain that the meeting will choose someone to be Buganda’s candidate against Museveni in the 2011 elections. The SMS messages have  led to some Bganda to suspect that the real goal of the Boston emergency conference may be to “crown” Musisi. This suspicion was strenghtned when Musisi told a Baganda meeting in Los Angeles last weeked that he had been “blessed” as the new leader of all Baganda in America. He never explained the process through which he had been chosen or whether either the Kabaka or the Katikkiro were part of it. And our efforts to confirm through Baganda American leaders if Mmengo or Kabaka appointed Musisi were unsuccessful.

Our sources both in Boston and Washington DC have confirmed that Mr. Mayanja is a strong Musisi supporter, as are several other Boston Baganda. The sources also say that other key Musisi promoters, including Mr. Kabonge and Mrs. Flavia Magoba of Washington DC, Mr. Male of California and Mr. James Semakula also of California. We have not been able to establish if Owek. Dan Muliika came to the meeting to promote Lt. Musisi or simply to present his opinions on the situation in Buganda. However, the former Katikkiro’s position should become clear today, after the true conference agenda is revealed and presentations are made. Robert Kabuye has announced that Mr. Muliika will be the keynote speaker.

Lt. Musisi is a member of the USA army who came to America with the help of his cousin and promnient anti-Buganda kingdom Museveni aide, the late Col. Serwanga Lwanga. The late Col. led the campaign to block the return of the Bulange to Buganda, claiming that Buganda has sold its majestic office building to Milton Obote of Idi Amin.

In a letter which a New York based Muganda analysts has called “clear evidence that Museveni is a tired, drowning and anti-Ganda man who Baganda must avoid at all times”, the Uganda strongman called Baganda sub imperialists who grabbed Bunyoro land and turned it into mailo land. Mr. Museveni’s letter, seen by many Baganda as an unveiled anti-Ganda hate campaign, has been read more than once on government radio stations.

In the unsolicited public letter to his own minister of Presidency, Museveni says that the purpose of his memo is “to guide you [the minister] in the tasks you are [she is] to handle in the matter of the Banyoro-Bafuriki question in Bunyoro Region.” Bafuruki are Bakiga, Balaalo, Banyankore and other westerners who have migrated to Bunyoro over the last few decades. Over the last 10 years, the so-called Kibaale district has experienced sporadic land wars between Banyoro and Bafuruki, sometimes resulting in big losses of human life and property.

Mr. Museveni described the problem as, “the modus vivendus between the Banyoro and the Bafuruki in terms of land, and political rights.” (NOTE: Mr. Museveni probably meant to say modus vivendi). Elaborating further, the Uganda strongman claims that the problem has three major elements:

• The land grabbed by the British colonialists and their Mengo-sub imperialists and turned into Mailo land.
• Former public land currently occupied by the Bafuruki; and
• Threatened political marginalization of the indigenous groups of the area (Buyaga and Bugangaizi) – Banyoro, Bagungu, Bachope, Baruuli, Banyara, and, curiously, the Bahima/Balaalo.

Later in his letter, Mr. Museveni, prescribes what he calls nine principles to be part of the solution. Those principles include the following two:

• Reserving elected district and sub-county (LC 5 and LC 3) political leadership positions for indigenous people of Bunyoro.
• Evicting all illegal encroachers in forest reserves without compensation and re-settling the gun toting nomadic cattle keepers (Balaalo) of Buliisa in Buganda (being done already).

As he concludes his letter, Museveni asserts that: “All this [Bunyoro land violence] is a consequence of the colonial policies also supported by the traditional chiefs like of Mengo in Uganda, of discouraging the use of Swahili as a national language. If the people of Bunyoro-the Banyoro or the Bafuruki were using Swahili, their differences would be submerged. It is the use of vernacular that provokes, in part, these contradictions.”

Commenting on Mr. Museveni’s letter, our New York based Muganda analysts said: “This is clear evidence that Museveni is a tired, drowning and anti-Ganda man who Baganda must avoid at all times. First, he tells you that Banyoro should have a monopoly on political leadership in their kingdom and controversial Balaalo must be resettled elsewhere. And when it comes to Buganda, he says that Kampala should be expanded to over 30% of Buganda so that non-Baganda can take and get a monopoly on political leadership in that part of Buganda. He also openly tells you that the problem gun toting Balaalo from Bunyoro are being resettled in Buganda – overtly courting genocide in Buganda.

“This man’s disease, whatever it is, has reached the brain. That is why Mengo must emulate Kabaka Mutebi and totally avoid this man. There is so much Buganda can do to advance, even under the current ‘occupied’ status, without talking to this genocide courting man. The challenge for Buganda is to get out of the ‘reactive’ (Museveni yagambye ki?) mode of operation and get into a ‘work according to our plan’ (Museveni yatomera) mode. Museveni is a tired, drowning man; if you stay too close to him, he might grab you and take you under with him.”

We have reproduced president Museveni’s unedited letter below (without effort to correct any spelling and grammar errors) below:

PO/16.34

15^TH July, 2008
Copy received Office of the minister of internal affairs

To the Minister in charge of the Presidency

Hon Beatrice Wabudeya, Minister of the Presidency

RE: Guidance on Banyoro Bafuuriki question.

This is to guide you in the tasks you are to handle in the matter of the Banyoro-Bafuriki question in Bunyroro Region. You should, first of all, define the problem. What is the problem? The problem, obviously, is the modus vivendus between the Banyoro and the Bafuriki in terms of land, and political rights.

This is on top of the old problem of the British Colonialists and Mengo sub-imperialists that grabbed land from Banyoro and engaged in a genocide in the region, resulting into the depopulation of the area. This means, essentially, three elements in the problem.

●The land grabbed by the British colonialists and their Mengo-sub imperialists and turned into Mailo land.

●The land currently being occupied by the Bafuruki that was part of the former public land including the forest reserve, beyond the original settlements of Luteete (Rutete) and Kisiita that were promoted by the government without foreseeing the consequences; and

●The resultant threatened political marginalization of the indigenous groups of the area-The Banyoro, the Bagungu, the Bachope, the Baruuli, Banyara, and the Bahiima.

We, the NRM members, being nationalists and panafricanists, cannot undermine our vision and program by associating ourselves with the vulgarized versions of “national integration.”

Genuine national integration must include scrupulous respect of everybody’s rights to the land of their heritage, politics, and culture. To do otherwise, is, actually, to undermine our vision and program. It is to make the threatened groups resent or even resist, legitimately, our invaluable vision. In any situation, we should always ask ourselves “where is justice in this case?” The NRM must always fight of justice -for just causes.  I am not, for instance, a monarchist. The area of Ankole, where I come from, is, obviously, thriving without a monarchy. Nevertheless, you remember that I spearheaded the restoration of monarchies in the parts of Uganda that wanted them. This was part of my nationalism and part of my panafricanism eventually.

Therefore, in the case of the Bunyoro Region, it is clear that the Banyoro are legitimately there because that is their origin. The Bafuuriki are also legitimately there because some were settled there by the central government, or, the Late Sir Tito Winyi while others have, subsequently, bought land from the original Bafuuriki, the Banyoro, or the absentee Mengo landlords. If the indigenous Banyoro had not been bled by colonialism and Mengo sub-imperialism, such an infusion of Bafuuriki would not have caused disequilibrium.

The Ankole-Mpororo area (Ankole, Rukungiri and Kanungu) is such an example. There, the Bafuuriki were settled in the amahamba (unoccupied wilderness) but the indigenous population remained in the core part of the area in large numbers. The Bafuuriki in such cases are, actually, an advantage for the areas. There can only be some minor problems like those affecting the Banyabutumbi a sub-group of the Banyakore Bahororo that used to live in Imaramagambo forest. The issues of such groups should also be addressed in a conscious way using administrative actions before they become radicalized.

The vulgarized version of integration goes like this: “We are Ugandans and we all have equal inherent rights in all parts of Uganda”-right to property, all political rights such as competing for political offices. That is correct as long as you ensure that in exercise of those inherent rights, you do not fundamentally damage the legitimate inherent rights of others- especially of those indigenous to the area. If that happens, the central government must come in to regulate the enjoyment of the inherent rights of the respective groups so that disequilibrium does not develop or become entrenched.

To throw more light on the incorrectness of the vulgarized version of integration, I would like to pose some few questions.

(i)           If the Bafuuriki dominate political space in the area to which they migrated, where do the indigenous people of the area find another political space?

(ii)          If the Bafuuriki were more nationalistic, why could they not find some person among the indigenous people and vote for them?

(iii)        Can some people from indigenous groups successfully compete, politically in the areas of origin of the Bafuuriki? If not, is this not unequal relationship?

(iv)         Suppose we were to infuse 100,000 Bafuuriki into Acholi or Karamoja, what would be the reaction? If the Acholis and Karamajongs were to react violently, would it mean that they are not Ugandan enough or would it be that the policy was wrong?

Horizontal rural migration by peasants after they have exhausted land in one area is not a progressive way of creating national integration. The more correct way is vertical migration, from the farm to the factory. That is why the factories should be detribalization centres through the use of Swahili on the work site.

Some people confuse normal individual migration with the mass insertion of big groups into an already enfeebled population on account of history. These are easy to distinguish from what we are talking about in Bunyoro. In 1955 the Banyankore (through their Ishengero) elected Hon. Kapa an immigrant from Rwanda as their first MP along with Hon. Katiti. This was positive and, besides, Kapa was a munyakorenised mufuuriki. He was, therefore, capable of defending the multidimentional interests of the Banyakore groups that is economic, political and cultural. Is this not different from a situation where two significant but different cultural groups are precipitately juxtaposed with each other? Is the situation in Bunyoro unique or otherwise?

Having thought about all this for a long time, I am proposing the following principles to be part of the solutions.

1.     Ring-fencing the LC 5 positions in the whole of Bunyoro region for the indigenous people; and also ring-fencing the sub-county leadership in the whole of Bunyoro.

2.    Ring-fencing the positions of Member of Parliament in the whole of Bunyoro region for the indeginous people except for the special constituencies created around Rutete (Lutete) and Kisita resettlement schemes. Number and two will in the spirit of article of 9 and article 10 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. They were also envisaged by article 32 of the constitution of Uganda which talked about affirmative action in favour of marginalized groups by reason of history or otherwise for the purpose of redressing imbalances that exist against them.

3.    All the indigenous people that were on the Mailo land in 1964 should be granted ownership and the absentee landlords should leave the land. All the indeginous people that have been on public land should get titles ownership of that land. The Bafuuriki in the settlement schemes already have their land and should get titles if they do not have them. The Bafuuriki who bought land legally should have their rights recognized.

4.    All the illegal encroachers in forest reserves should be evicted without compensation as the normadic cattle keepers of Buliisa are being settled in Buganda.

5.    The towns and trading centre should be exempted from these affirmative action measures. They should be free for all Ugandans. This is the healthy integration. The totally integrated Uganda should have its nucleus in the urban centers, factories, the hotels, the shops, the real estate etc. in oreder to promote healthy integration, industrialization should be promoted to pull redundant population from rural areas to the urban areas. Here there should be no regulation beyond ensuring that the workers are Ugandans.

6.    The indigenous people who get land should be prohibited from selling the land for 20years and also leasing it.

7.    A program of sensitising the Banyoro and Bafuuriki should be promoted.

8.    Government should have a special program for developing Bunyoro using money provided by the central government including the British funds.

9.    Finally there should a sunset clause to terminate or cause a review of this policy after 20years.

All this is a consequence of the colonial policies also supported by the traditional chiefs like of Mengo in Uganda, of discouraging the use of Swahili as a national language. If the people of Bunyoro-the Banyoro or the Bafuuriki were using Swahili, their differences would be submerged. It is the use of vernacular that provokes, in part, these contradictions. I like the indeginous languages, in fact I am about to complete a dictionary in Runyakore-Rukiga. However, I see these vanaculars not as an end in themselves. I see them as a source of enriching Swahili. That is why NRM promotes Swahili. We included it in the constitution; we use it in the army etc.

The committee, should, therefore, look at the principles I have mentioned above and see them work. You should also identify any other problems that I have not identified and propose solutions. You should propose any solutions you feel are useful in the areas for which I have suggested solutions.

Yoweri K. Museveni.

President

Copied to VP, PM, all Members of Cabinet Subcommittee of Bunyoro Issues, Head of public service, P.S/ Office of the President.

In a twist of irony, both Mmengo and president Museveni are happy about the news that the high court of Kampala has summoned New Vision Publications to file its defense in a suit filed on July 23, 2009 against it and its employees by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The employees are editor-in-chief, Els de Temmerman and reporter Barbara Among. Mmengo should be pleased because the courts appear to be acting expeditiously on their filing. On the other hand, sources close to president Museveni’s state house have told this writer that Uganda’s strong man is relieved and pleased because he was getting intelligence reports that Baganda anger was building and they were starting to look to Mmengo for direction on next steps. And now things are back to his sphere of influence.

On July 11, in a New Vision story titled “Bulange land title held over sh1bn debt”, one Barbara Among reported that Kabaka Mutebi had mortgaged Buganda’s Bulange land title for money he put to personal use. In reaction, a July 20, 2009 the Buganda Lukiiko passed 10 resolutions, including one calling upon Baganda to boycott the New Vision and the Luganda Bukedde, until they apologize to Kabaka Mutebi. Since then Bukedde readership has drastically fallen and there have been reports of people being beaten up or denied services in the counties of Buddu, Ssingo, Kyaggwe, Bulemeezi and elsewhere.

Our New York based analyst warns that, whenever you see Museveni, Nsibambi, Bukenya, Namayanja or Sekandi strongly agree with Mmengo, it is sign that bad news and disappointment for Baganda is on the way. They and several other NRM bigwigs started a campaign to push Mmengo to go to court, after reports of mounting Baganda anger last Tuesday. He adds: “In the broader picture, this kavuyo is about Museveni trying to keep Baganda and Mmengo permanently off balance, in courts, demonstrations, online discussion groups, etc. That way, they cannot get on the same page and create any roadmap for self-determination. Imagine, a few months ago is was the land act, 3 weeks ago the crisis at Mmengo was’ Kampala bamutwaala’. Then came,’ Federo will never come to Buganda’. Now it is ‘Kabaka vs. New Vision foreigners’. This one might last a few weeks and keep several Baganda going to court every day, because I am suspicious that Museveni will use the court environment to bring out a lot of Mmengo dirty linen on land titles, etc.  And while we are all glued on this one they will probably pass the law to take Kampala out of Buganda and conclude the sale of Entebbe airport to their partners.”

“It has been this way since the time when Museveni shortchanged Buganda on Federo during constitution making. The question is whether the people in Mmengo are genuinely incapable of seeing Museveni’s Machiavellian tricks or whether some of them are willfully helping him by misleading Kabaka Mutebi.  Only weeks ago Katikkiro Walusimbi was taking a check form Museveni to buy bean seeds, which we have not heard about again. Now, over the next few weeks, Kabaka Mutebi, our Ssabasajja will be waiting to hear how a commoner judge, appointed by a foreigner, determines the fate of his ‘complaint’. Which sane Muganda will be able to proudly tell his child that, ‘Kabaka taloopebwa’ anymore?. Museveni must be so happy, because he has Kabaka Mutebi where he wants him, pleading with his (Museveni’s) appointed commoner judges for mercy against those defaming him (Kabaka) in his own kindgom.”

Below is the report which was posted on Mmengo’s official website www.buganda.or.ug.

NEW VISION ORDERED TO SUBMIT ITS DEFENCE

By Ester Nakibuuka

The high court of Kampala has summoned the New Vision Publication to file its defence in a suit filed against it by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II for publication of a fabricated defamatory article about him.

The Company has been sued together with its Editor in Chief Els De Temaman and the reporter Barbara Among who wrote the defamatory article that Bulange title deed is being held by a senior cabinet minister in the central government for non payment of debts amounting to over one billion Ugandan shillings.

According to the summons signed by the Kampala high court registrar, Elizabeth Kabanda, the trio have been given 15 days within which to submit their defence.

Through his lawyers Masembe, Makubuya, Adriko, Karugaba and Ssekatawa Advocates, the Kabaka stated that the article published on Sunday the 12th July, 2009 titled “BULANGE TITLE HELD“, was false and malicious against him despite the fact that he has always been held in high esteem as the Kabaka of Buganda and a cultural leader of over 6 million people. He added that the article injured his credibility and reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of his society.

The suit further stated that the published article referred to his majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II because he is the only sitting Kabaka of Buganda, adding that some sections of the article even mentioned his son Prince Crispin Jjunju which made a large number of people who read the article to identified him as the person referred to in the article.

The Kabaka further stated that the article defamed him extremely since it implied that he had betrayed the trust embedded in the office of the Kabaka of Buganda and meant that he is grossly reckless and negligent in his conduct of affairs of the Kingdom as trustee.

The Kabaka stated that the article implied that he is dishonest as portrayed by his use of the Kingdom’s properties in his personal businesses. He added that the article portrayed him as an indebted person who has failed to pay off his debts and therefore in the process of selling off Buganda’s land to unscrupulous people for his personal gains.

In the suit, the Kabaka assured that hearing of the case will help him prove that he has never pledged, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of the certificate of Bulange title deed to any minister in government or to any one at all.

He further sated that the minister being referred to as coming from Sembabule district, Sam Kuteesa has already come out publicly to deny ever lending any money the Kabaka or being in possession of the said title deed.

He also stated that the hearing will help him prove that he has never personally borrowed any money from any other senior cabinet minister and that he has never transferred the titled into the names of Rexba limited, as it was alleged in the article.

The Kabaka stated that the publication had a motive to malice him because all the information in regard to the mentioned land titled is in his possession and went further to explain that if they had bothered to contact him before publishing the defamatory articles, the matter would have been cleared once and for all.

The Kabaka therefore wants court to order the New Vision Publication to retract the defamatory article and publish a front page apology to him as well as to the people of Buganda who were most affected by the story.

He also wants the apology to be published in both English and Luganda and also air special announcements on both the English and Luganda FM stations, owned by the New Vision Publications.

The Kabaka further wants an order from court that the false story be withdrawn from the New Vision website and also be rendered invisible, so that it is not read over and over again.

The Kabaka also wants court to order the New Vision to pay him damages worth his status for damaging his image.

The case will be presided over by Justice Kibuuka Musoke before the high court of Kampala.

Baganda, opposition politicians and human rights activists cried foul yesterday when Justice Wilson Kwesiga sentenced special police constable Ramathan Magara  to a 14-year prison term for killing two Baganda men. The victims were Vincent Kavuma and Gideon Makabayi. Justice Kwesiga and Magara are both Banyankore. On February 15, 2006 Magara walked to his car, pulled out an AK 47 and fired into a crowd of supporters of the FDC president, Dr Kizza Besigye, after one of them threw a stone at his car and broke the wind shield. The then presidential candidate Besigye was meeting his supporters during a visiting to Mmengo Bulange.

The charge against Magara was murder of two people when he fired into the crowd of Besigye supporters. Justice Kwesiga rejected the argument by Magara’s lawyer, McDusman Kabega, that his client shot in self-defence. The justice said that this theory was presented only as an afterthought. Also, the two court assessors (private citizens who are appointed to guide the judge) recommended that Magara be found guilty of murder, which could have fetched a death sentence.

However, many observers, especially Baganda and opposition party members in the packed court were shocked when Justice Kwesiga said that what Magara did was more like killing “in the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation”. Based on that, the judge convicted Magara man slaughter and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Several angry protesters outside the court complained that this lenience towards people who kill Baganda could encourage government security operatives to do the same. At the time of going to press, it was not clear if Mmengo has been following the case. Occasionally, Mmengo speaks out crimes or injustices such as ritual killings as a Ugandan problem but is usually quiet when individual Baganda are mistreated by the police and judges.

Moses Bunjo: Very Angry

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am very angry that the Katikkiro of Buganda is said to be knocking down Baganda’s homes on Kabaka’s land.  Where are we supposed to go when the Kabaka who is supposed to protect us is using the same methods which were brought by Mr. Museveni’s government to destroy Baganda? You Mr. Kiwalabye and Engineer Kasekende of land board do you think that there is no better way to solve this problem than the tactics of  this regime? You must hate Kabaka Mutebi if you are doing things to make people hate him.

Moses Bunjo
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

Name Witheld: Cowardice?

Dear Editor,

I think it is cowardice for Mengo who have failed to deal with Banyankole who are stealing Buganda land to start smashing houses on Kabaka’s land. Even more shameful, most victims are Baganda who have been waiting to see leadership in Mengo since Muliika left but see nothing. Katikkiro and his friends  in land board are like a man who is abused by his boss and he goes home to kick his wife, children and dogs. A man like that is a coward.

When Mengo does things like the Indians of 1965 it means that when things change people will put them on the list for looting. How can people who say they love Buganda and Kabaka do things which will make people angry to the point of even looting Kabaka’s things?  Owekitibwa Walusimbi, show us that Mengo is not a coward. Fight for 9,000 miles from Museveni instead of joining Banyankole with illegal money to make Baganda homeless. Also stop the corruption in Bulange and show us accountability with Kabaka’s money and many of us will be happy to pay even tax to Kabaka.

Name Withheld (on request)
BOSTON, USA

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. 

It was a major public relations score when the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr.  Cyprian Kizito Lwanga spoke in support of his (Walusimbi’s) omumuli program, which is supposed to be funded by grants from Mr. Museveni. And more of the embattled Katikkiro’s prayers were answered when Ssabasajja Kabaka, Muwenda Mutebi II went to a previously scheduled visit to Busujju county, which Mmengo dubbed “the launching of omumuli”.  In what some might intepret as support for Katikkiro Walusimbi’s money deal with President Museveni, Kabaka Mutebi called on Baganda to spend less time listening to radio talk shows and more on working hard.

Mr. Museveni’s government is indirectly assisting the Katikkiro’s public relations campaign, with the government New Vision and Bukedde mouthpieces, along with Aga Khan’s The Monitor putting a spin on what the Kabaka and the Archbishop said to magnify the support Walusimbi enjoys from these very important figures.

The quick succession of Mr. Walusimbi’s  two public relations triumphs has left many Baganda political analysts, including his strongest critics, admitting that the Katikkiro, and his political advisor, VP Bukenya, can show impressive political skills.

However, according to one youthful Buganda government official, Katikkiro Walusimbi’s publica relations success may be short lived because they are based bending the truth and on the belief that president Museveni can keep promises. The official who requested that his name not be revealed for fear of being persecuted told us: “The Katikkiro keeps telling us Catholics that the ‘‘Bapoto’ [protestants] and Basiramu [Moslems] are not against the money but only want to bring him down. Obviously, many of us, especially the youth know that he is not telling the truth. The corrupt people here in Mmengo are from all religions. And the champions of Buganda political and human rights like Nambooze, Ssengona, Mpanga, Kyanjo and so on also come from all religions. It is like the Katikkiro is saying that any Catholic who says that our kingdom must not be manipulated with Shs 350 Million is stupid and being misled by non-Catholics. Money which cannot even buy 3 acreas in Kololo!”

The official went on to predict that Katikkiro Walusimbi’s claim that the Baganda opposition to Museveni’s money is an anti Catholic conspiracy is what may bring him down. He explained:  “The most predictable thing about Museveni is that he never keeps a promise. Soon or later he will either refuse to deliver all the Shs 1 Billion or he will introduce some strange conditions like pushing for some Banyankore from the Auditor General office to look into Mmengo accounts. Or, because weak accountability systems Mumuli is borrowing from Mr. Museveni’s corrupt NAADS, most of the money will end up misused.  The looming disaster for Walusimbi is that, since nothing which depends on Museveni’s promises works, the Katikkiro will end up hugely embarrassing both the Kabaka Mutebi and Archbishop Lwanga when his Mumuli delivers nothing but more corruption. It may be worse than Regional Tier because this time Museveni will be able to arrogantly say, ‘Nabawa bu miliyooni 350 nebubalema!; kati Federo mugisobola mutya?’ ['You have failed to manage a mere Shs 350 Million; how can you deal with the federal system you demand?']”

On April 20, Katikkiro Walusimbi announced to the Buganda Lukiiko that he had already accepted Shs 350 Million (US$162,790), as the first payment of what he claimed to be an unconditional grant of Shs 2 Billion (US$ 930,232) offer from President Museveni to fund the mumuli program. A large section of the Buganda population were angered by Katikkiro Walusimbi, with many in the Buganda youth movement accusing him of selling Buganda, at Shs 430 per person. Some have even threatened Mr. Walusimbi with death (see Katikkiro Walusimbi Takes Museveni’s Money, Puts His Life At Risk).

On March 9, 2009 Buganda Post exclusively reported that Katikkiro Walusimbi had convinced Mr. Museveni to pay that  to pay off government rent arrears owed to Mmengo and authorize another 8 billion shillings to: (1) complete Bulange Plaza, (2) complete Twekobe, (3) pay some salary arrears for Bulange employees, (4) to facilitate (bribe) key Buganda officials and certain key Bataka (clan heads) for support, (5) to settle the debt that state house owed the Katikkiro’s Associated Consulting Engineers company, and (6) to buy support from Baganda peasants by giving them money through an NRM style program called Omumuli which Walusimbi designed with Museveni’s vice president Gilbert Bukenya. (See “Katikkiro Walusimbi Dodges Talks, Leaves Museveni Holding A Bag Of Stones“). According to our State House sources, the Shs 350 Million that Mr. Walusimbi accepted is art of this agreement.

On Thursday February 26, Katikkiro JB Walusimbi stood up president Museveni of Uganda when he did not turn up for the much publicized land negotiations between Mmengo and Museveni.  According to our sources, Walusimbi could not go because key members of his cabinet overruled him. They insisted that Mmengo must not negotiate with Museveni about giving up anything to him on his proposed Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008. They argued that it would be disobedience to Kabaka Mutebi who had publicly called it a bad bill and told all Baganda to oppose it. Equally important, they insisted that while talking to Museveni was alright, it must be about full restoration of all Buganda’s property and political rights – not begging.

The problem for Walusimbi is that he had already assured Museveni that he could bring Mmengo to the table to negotiate the contentious Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008. So when the loyal Baganda ministers put their feet down he was left in a fix. And he opted to simply hide from Museveni. One source close to Museveni’s state house told us that: “Museveni is very annoyed that Walusimbi failed to turn up.  The president was made to look like a man who was promised some gold by Congolese con men and left holding a bag full of stones. He has been asking people near him, ‘What is wrong with Baganda?’ ”

It has been widely reported by the local Buganda press that Museveni and JB Walusimbi have been engaged in secret negotiations over Buganda issues since July 2008. What we can exclusively report from a highly reliable source very close to the Katikkiro is that the negotiations primarily focused on how to soften what Museveni, Walusimbi and other NRM big wigs think is Kabaka Mutebi’s excessive power today. Mr. Museveni and the Katikkiro had reportedly reached agreements the following key areas by January 28, 2009:

1. Museveni had convinced JB Walusimbi that if Kabaka Mutebi continued to accumulate so much power over Baganda it could lead to a show down where Baganda like him (Walusimbi) were going to lose lives and their businesses. And the way to control the Kabaka’s escalating influence was to remove Nambooze, Mpanga and Ssegona from CBS Radio and give the Katikkiro more control over Mmengo.
2. Walusimbi had convinced Museveni to pay off government rent arrears owed to Mmengo and authorize another 8 billion shillings to: (1) complete Bulange Plaza, (2) complete Twekobe, (3) pay some salary arrears for Bulange employees, (4) to facilitate (bribe) key Buganda officials and certain key Bataka (clan heads) for support, (5) to settle the debt that state house owed the Katikkiro’s Associated Consulting Engineers company, and (6) to buy support from Baganda peasants by giving them money through an NRM style program called Omumuli which Walusimbi designed with Gilbert Bukenya’s support.
3. The two sides had agreed that to soften Kabaka Mutebi it was important to isolate him more from the Baganda youths who are getting more dangerous, starting with the removal of Betty Nambooze from CBS. Curiously, the two sides had also agreed that the removal of Nambooze could be made simpler if it was accompanied with the firing of highly unpopular Baganda like Tamale Mirundi or Minister Kinobe or even Nsibambi.

What Museveni and Katikkiro Walusimbi could not control are the leaks about their so called secret talks over the months. For example, rumors of Museveni’s willingness to fire Tamale Mirundi or even Nsibambi to appease Baganda first surfaced in early January 2009. Apparently the many leaks helped the intended victims to plan and execute necessary counter moves.

A New York based Muganda thought leader told this reporter that it is the leakages which probably led Museveni to panic and hold that bizarre press conference on February 10, 2009. He said:  “I think that the leaks reached the intended victims at Mmengo Bulange and they fought back with rapid fire on CBS FM radio. Indeed, my contacts tell me that after getting an ISO briefing on the public response to the February 7th Mambo Baado presentation by Mpanga and Nambooze, Museveni decided to temporarily withdraw his Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008.  In effect, ISO people told him that Nambooze and Mpanga had mobilized Baganda youth to a point where public violence was inevitable if the land bill was read in parliament. In fact, in a slip of the toungue, Museveni admitted the role Nambooze and Mpanga in his panicky decision when he told the press conference:  ‘Don’t allow anyone to mislead you that we are withdrawing the bill because of the lies told by Nambooze and Mpanga on CBS radio’.”

According to a news report on the Buganda Kingdom website Buganda citizens from Bugerere county who are called Banyala visted with the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. JB Walusimbi in his offices at Bulange Mengo on Friday afternoon. The report adds that they “distanced themselves from the Ssaabanyala institution.  They emphasized that the institution is being forced on to them by individuals who have their own selfish needs and that their head has always been known as Nkojjo who is answerable to the Kabaka of Buganda and not to any one else.

“The group went ahead to say that, they also have a clan leader called Nsamba Fred and said that they will always oppose the Ssabanyala institution.

“The Katikkiro later promised them that he will work hand in hand with other Kingdom officials to further look into their concerns which he said should be not mixed with the Buluuli issues.”