Katikkiro JB Walusimbi’s efforts to convince Baganda that ,after more than 20 years of manipulation and iron-fist rule by the NRM government, their only option is to negotiate with Uganda’s warlords are starting to undermine the authority of his office.  Our sources in places as disparate as Nakulabye,  Masaka, Boston, New York and London all tell us that a growing number of Baganda are upset by Mr. Walusimbi’s undisguised efforts to show his loyalty to  Museveni, VP Gilbert Bukenya and the NRM occupation government.

On December 17, 2009, Owek. Walusimbi apologetically told the 2nd Buganda Conference, that “Buganda does not seek any type of special status” in response to demands by an Acholi, Mao, and a Munyankore cattle keeper, Kanyeihamba , that Baganda must first convince other Ugandans if they (Buganda) want Federo (see “Kabaka Mutebi and His Man Kyanjo Save Baganda Dignity At 2nd Buganda Conference” and “Katikkiro Walusimbi Tells Baganda, Stop Thinking Buganda Is Special”). Staying on message, two days later, Katikkiro Walusimbi told Buganda government workers at their end-of-year party that: “When fighting for Buganda’s freedom, you should not take the risk of becoming martyrs. We need to fight calmly.”

Since his appointment at Katikkiro, Mr. Walusimbi has not hidden his close relationship with the NRM government, especially Yoweri Museveni and VP Gilbert Bukenya. Indeed, early this year Ugandan warlord Museveni himself told a press conference: “We have no problem with Katikkiro Walusimbi … The Katikkiro is our man.”  Before September 2009, Mr. Walusimbi’s seemingly anti-Buganda actions were nearly always cancelled out by a highly tactical and excellently executed pro-Buganda campaign by committed Baganda nationalists on CBS FM Radio.  Walusimbi was no match for the dynamic team of Betty Nambooze, Lubega Ssegona, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Daudi Mpanga, Hussein Kyango and others.

In the wake of the September 2009 NRM’s Kayunga massacre of Baganda who were protesting Museveni’s decision to bar Kabaka Mutebi from touring Bugerere county, the NRM closed down CBS FM Radio. That decision left Katikkiro Walusimbi with full control over what the public hears from Mmengo. He enjoys full access to NRM government media resources, from New Vision and Bukedde to Star FM and Bukedde FM.  All other media outlets in Uganda are barred from publishing any pro-Buganda messages, including those that praise the Buganda nation or Ssabasajja Kabaka, Mutebi II. But Mr. Walusimbi’s new found power over the Uganda’s media outlets seems to be coming at high cost to him personally and to Mmengo, the institution.   

A growing number of Baganda activists are choosing to go underground and are keeping their distance from Mmengo, convinced that the Katikkiro is Museveni’s top spy in the institution. In their view, Engr. JB Walusimbi, Peter Mayiga and Apollo Makubuya and their supporters have lost touch with the ordinary Baganda and alternative leadership is needed to deal with Buganda’s challenges.  More hope is being put on the likes Owek. Nsubuga Nsambu, Betty Nambooze and Hussein Kyanjo although they are also saddled with their continued active engagement in Uganda’s NRM dominated politics. 

It is against the above background that Baganda nationalists in the Diaspora taking on Walusimbi for what they see as his blatant betrayal of his office, for what they consider short-term financial gains.  Mr. Robert Kabuye of Boston who broadcasts on the widely popular SMS Radio program, Ekiba Kibe, spoke for many when he warned the Katikkiro to stop provocative anti-Buganda statements. In the 12/26/09 Ekiba Kibe Luganda program, Mr. Kabuye told the Katikkiro (excerpts): “Owek. Katikkiro … ggwe omuntu omu tosobola kutujjako Buganda. Abajulizi nabo baali Baganda ssebo….Tujja kulwanirira Obuganda. Oba ggwe bakuwadde kyebakuwa… ffe tetukyalina budde bwo! … Walusimbi, who are you? … Ffe tetulina kubeera nti Mmengo etumanyi okulwanirira Obuganda…” (“Owek Katikkiro … you, a single person, cannot take our Buganda from us. The martyrs were also Baganda sir … We are going to continue fighting for Buganda. If you have been bribed … we don’t have time for you! … Walusimbi, who are you? … We do not need to be known to Mmengo to fight for Buganda …”). Click on Ekibakibe_26Dec09A  to listen to Robert Kabuye’s full broadcast .

When we asked a leading Buganda analyst based  in New York to comment on the situation, he responded that Walusimbi’s behavior and the reaction it is eliciting from Baganda all over the world is typical of what happens when a nation is under occupation or captivity.  He explained: “Kabaka Mutebi has successfully overseen, especially with the help of Dan Muliika, a full re-emergence of the Buganda nation. Think about it, of the 6 or so million Baganda, at least 5 are 30 years are younger, unemployed, poor and are convinced that they are victims of a conspiracy among Banyankore, Bakiga, Rwandese, Indians and other foreigners to keep them in servitude. At the same time, thanks to Kabaka Mutebi’s steady hand, these young people know that they belong to a real nation, Buganda,  with a glorious history and legacy  worth defending.”

“On the other hand, everything the Museveni and his  NRM has done since 1986 was part of a long-term plan to impoverish and marginalize Baganda to the extent that most of them would eagerly seek other tribal identities.  Now that the opposite has happened and Buganda has become a stronger than it has ever  been since 1887 during Ssekabaka Muteesa I’s reign, it is automatic that we end up with an ‘occupied nation’ situation. That is why, over the last 2-3 years Museveni’s NRM has subconsciously adopted classic occupation force tactics. Similarly, Baganda are acquiring ever better occupation resistance skills, from street riots to underground operations, to propaganda machinery.  When you read about Nazi occupations across Europe, you will see mirror examples of collaborators like JB Walusimbi, appeasers like Peter Mayiga, business opportunists like some CBS Radio shareholders, those with divided-royalties like Baganda DPs, turncoats like Nsibambi and Robert Sebunya, infiltrators like Igiro Semajege,  traitors  like Bukenya and Ssekandi, and so on. 

“The message from Kabuye is only the first shot by outside Baganda that they might take command control of the struggle from Walusimbi and Mmengo.  In 1967 Mmengo was incompetent when it came to protecting Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa and the Namulondo of Buganda.  They lacked intelligence gathering/analysis and strategic planning skills and the same is true today. It appears that Mmengo should expect more challenge if Baganda in Diaspora agree with the masses at home  that the Mmengo of today is not up to the job.  Don’t be shocked if the signals for a future Buganda demonstrations come from Boston or New York. If I had the ear of Ssabasajja Kabaka, I would mention to him that, if he wishes, this may be a good time keep quiet and let you subjects do some work. Uganda’s pharaoh will one day have to let your people go. Ekikutte obudde kiributa!”