The situation in Kampala is tense after bombs went in Kabalagala, Bukoto and Rugby Club killing at least 60 people who had been watching the FIFA Football World Cup finals around the city. At least 18 people, mostly foreign nationals, are believed to have died or been injured at the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kabalagala shopping center around 10:00 PM. The local press has reported at least that 30 bodies were counted at the Kyadondo Rugby Club, which has drawn large audiences over the weekends since the World Cup started. A third bomb went off in Bukoto, a short distance from Kabira Country Club, killing scores of people and injuring at least 100. A fourth bomb is reported to have been planted on Gaba Road but it did not go off as planned by its makers. It is feared that an unreasonable number of the injured will end up dying soon because the healthcare services in Uganda are of such poor quality.

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.”

A source close to Eng. JB Walusimbi has told us that the 65 year Katikkiro of Buganda has is losing interest in position and could be looking for ways get out of the 4-year contract with the kingdom. The source, who is a member of the Katikkiro’s Magunda sub clan (ssiga) of the Ffumbe (civet cat) clan, said: “Since even before the Kayunga riots, Engineer Walusimbi has been facing pressures to leave the office from all sides, even our clan elders, or show more that he is loyal to the Kabaka. Even we his own brothers and sisters have been pressuring him in our own ways because he is shaming our whole clan. By the way, when he was appointed Katikkiro, many of us who are insiders tried to oppose because we knew his background but we were not properly consulted.”

Our source told us that since the Kayunga riots, it appears that Engineer JB Walusimbi has been rethinking his part time job as Katikkiro. She says: “First,  it looks like JB realized during the riots that Baganda youth might one of these days kill him or some of his 6 children because of the image that he is on Museveni’s side. As a person, he wants to be Katikkiro but it is impossible for him when he is much closer  to Gilbert Bukenya and Museveni than he is to Kabaka Mutebi. And the way that Baganda youths are attacking him, is giving him high blood pressure. That is why he is really losing interest, because no one trusts him. Not even most of us members of his Magunda ssiga.”

Many Baganda were incensed with the statement that Katikkiro Walusimbi issued after the “gun on your head” Kabaka Mutebi was forced to have with Uganda warlord, Yoweri Museveni on September 30, 2009 (see “Katikkiro JB Walusimbi Praises Gunpoint Meeting Between Kabaka and Museveni“).  Since then, Katikkiro Walusimbi, has all but abandoned making pro-Buganda public statements or associating himself with the hundreds of Baganda who were murdered or continue to be arrested and tortured by the NRM government. The Katikkiro is even low key on the arrests and continuing harassment of Kabaka’s officials by Museveni’s security forces. He reportedly avoided assisting Kabaka’s official ,Betty Nambooze, with her medical problems, for fear of annoying Museveni who hates her.  According to local press reports, Kabaka Mutebi was forced to personally get involved in Nambooze’s case, working through other obedient ministers to provide her with much needed medical care.

If it is true that Engineer Walusimbi is losing interest his position as Katikkiro, there is evidence that he could be developing a new interest. Over the last two weeks, Katikkiro Walusimbi’s high profile engagements were closing the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) trade show and presiding over the Rotary Club announcement of free medical operations program for the poor. At the UMA event, Owek. Walusimbi surprised many in the audience when he promised that Buganda would never reclaim the 9,000 square miles from its illegal occupiers but only partner with them to generate income from the land. The subject of how the 9,000 miles would be administered has never been discussed by the Buganda Lukiiko. Many of Engineer Walusimbi’s critics are also upset that this “Kabaka ow’ebweeru” was giving attention to Rotary Club medical operations instead of putting priority on getting Betty Nambooze the urgent surgery she needs.

Accoring to a press release by Kampala Ultimate Frisbee Club they will be hosting a charity tournament on Sunday November 30th 2008 (9am) at Makerere University Sports Ground, Kampala.  It is expected that approximately 8 teams will participate.

A raffle of great prizes will be held during the tournament to raise funds for Dwelling Places.  Dwelling Places works to rescue, rehabilitate, reconcile and resettle street children with their families. They speak out for children at risk – informing, motivating and equipping local families and communities to promote positive change in the Ugandan society.  More information on Dwelling Places can be found at found at www.DwellingPlaces.org.

Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-paced, limited-contact team sport played with a flying disc (Frisbee).  There is no physical contact and the players may not run while holding the disc. Ultimate is distinguished by its spirit of the game — the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and the joy of play.

There will be plenty of fun for spectators and players alike so please come out to support Dwelling Places, the players and to have a great time.  If you’d like to bring a team to participate, please contact Alex Matovu at  +256 71 2831388 – alexmatovu@hotmail.com.