Within hours after a lecture from president Museveni’s chief censor, the management of foreigner owned Capital Radio issued a memo announcing new anti-Buganda policies. Rwandese Godfrey Mutabazi, Museveni’ airwaves enforcer visited Capital Radio and, using his infamous talking points (see “Rwandese Godfrey Mutabazi Censures Uganda Radios, His Talking Points“), specified what the station could and couldn’t broadcast. There was no resistance from the owners, who after a brief discussion, instructed the deputy general manager to implement.

Sources in Kampala tell us that members of the Baganda youth population have taken careful note of Capital FM’s eagerness to collaborate Buganda occupiers.

The memo which Capital Radio management sent to all its presenters, to implement the new anti-Buganda policies is shown below.

To: All Capital Radio Limited Presenters

Cc: Caroline Mukidi Wandera, Derick Nkajja, Jared Mokobo, George Manyali, Patricia Okoed Bukumunhe, Gloria Nakiyimba

Date: 29^th September 2009

Re: BUGANDA CONTENT

Following a meeting with the Broadcasting Council today concerning certain forms of on air content on Beat FM that can be deemed inciting and may have potential to inflame public sentiments, we are required to make key adjustments to our content broadcast on both Capital Radio and Beat FM.

All content relating to Buganda-the Buganda Kingdom and the institution of the Kabaka-will not be aired on both stations, unless as positive stories run in the New Vision or Bukedde newspapers covered in our press review. The stories which are positive are those that enhance the relationship between the Central Government and the Buganda Kingdom and do not incite the public into violence. In this context we shall not however give opinion but report them as fact.

More specific to Beat FM, we shall:

(a)  Stop all talk and promos in support of Buganda Certificates.

(b)  Stop all talk and promos in support of the Buganda Football Tournament Cup finals Amasaza Cup this Saturday

(c)   Stop all songs about Buganda and in some cases those about Buganda ’s quest for federo or those eulogizing the Kabaka and SeKabaka’s.

(d)  Stop all traditional drums and shakers that introduced the evening drive interspersed with homage to the Kabaka.

(e)  Stop any other comment that promotes the Buganda Kingdom or the Kabaka.

(f)   Stop all news coverage about Mengo or the Kabaka.

We shall only focus on lifestyle and entertainment content throughout our broadcasts.

For any future changes on this policy, I will duly communicate

Joel IsabiryeDeputy
General Manager
Programme Controller
Capital Radio Limited

A source in the Buganda Government’s  headquarters, Bulange, has told this reporter that some Mmengo officials, led by one Ahmed Bamweyana, conned Ugandans into paying thousands of dollars for the promise of USA visas. According to the source, the key players were Mr. Bamweyana and a Mr. Kaddu, who working with someone in the Katikkiro’s office, told scores of Baganda that they were the official representatives of Ttabamiruka in Uganda. Similarly, Baweyana and Kaddu went to the United States embassy and presented themselves the local Ttabamiruka agents.

The problem is that Bamweyana and Kaddu, both officials at Mmengo, were self-appointed agents. Worse still, they were charging the visa applicants about US$3,000 for the visa, which they could not even guarantee. Although some of the applicants got the visas, others, like the one that this reporter spoke to, are having trouble finding Kaddu to get a refund.

Ahmed Bamweyana is a minister in the Kabaka’s government. Previously he was the Chief of Protocol at Mmengo, a position that he used to cheat Baganda who wanted USA visas for the 2007 Ttabamiruka of thousands of US dollars. Some Mmengo experts believe that Katikkiro Ssendaula moved Bamweyana from the Protocol position because of the 2007 visa scandal and because of allegations that he was charging Baganda for audiences with Kabaka Mutebi.

Bamweyana is also regularly accused in Baganda Internet discussion lists of being a Museveni plant at Mmengo, without concrete proof. This reporter has however confirmed that Bamweyana, a former senior clerk at the Uganda High Commission,  in London, is currently the Financial Controller in President Museveni’s Education Service Commission.