USA Baganda have joined the many forces who are telling Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and other Mmengo officials to be extremely careful about the restoration of the recently burnt Kasubi Tombs. Within 36 hours after the tombs were burnt, the Katikkiro announced that a technical committee had been formed to start planning the restoration of the 130 year Kasubi Tombs. The committee members who names were released later were mostly former Mmengo officials, with no signs of new blood. Kasubi Tombs is the official cemetery for Buganda royal family members (Abalangira n’Abambejja) who descend from Ssekabaka Muteesa I. However,  the Katikkiro made his announcement without consulting this key group. As a result, Abalangira n’Abambejja were forces to release a statement expressing their concern as owners of the tombs (see “Members of Buganda Royal Family Issue Statement on Kasubi – English”).

Various Buganda clan heads and cultural leaders (Abataka) also expressed strong opposition to Mmengo’s plans focus on working with UNESCO and the NRM occupation government to restore the sacred Baganda tombs. They  point out the original tombs were constructed by ordinary Baganda through their clans and each clan has a special task in the process. Yet Katikkiro Walusimbi and many other Mmengo officials are temporary administrators with no technical background in constructing cultural site like the Kasubi Tombs.

Abazzukulu ba Buganda also strongly question Mmengo’s qualifications to restore and ancient cultural structure like Kasubi Tombs. They point out that the Mmengo official who were selected on the restoration committee are the same individuals who have not succeeded on even smaller projects such as completing Twekobe or Bulange Plaza. They also rejected the idea of UNESCO being a key player ( see “Don’t Put Yourself At Risk When Buganda Is Angry, Katikkiro Advised“).

The Great Buganda Lukiiko that sat on March 22, 2010, did not approve Katikkiro Walusimbi’s plans either. Members only agree that the Kasubi Tombs must be repaired as soon as possible.

On Free Buganda Radio, the Ekiba Kibe program of March 25, 2010 Mr. Robert Kabuye and his guest, Mr. Mayanja, also advised Mmengo to leave the repair of Kasubi Tombs to those who are traditionally responsible for the job. They also warn the Katikkiro and his cabinet to take leadership from the clan leaders (Abataka) and others who have an official role in Buganda culture.

Click on Ekiba_Kibe25Mar10A to listen to the Ekiba Kibe prpgram of March 25, 2010.

According to the highly popular Ekiba Kibe program which broadcasts over multimedia SMS messages, the Ugandan dictator, Yoweri Museveni suffered a stroke recently.  Buganda  Post has not yet been able to independently confirm the story. However,  hours after the initial broadcast, it on Saturday, it has spread like fire to Baganda all over the world, including back home in Buganda.

Ekiba Kibe program says that the East Africa’s pre-eminent warlord suffered the stroke in the November/December timeframe. And since then, he is keeping to wearing suits of a certain style, to hide the serious stiffness that he developed in his arm.  The Luganda SMS radio further states that up to now, Museveni’s recent stroke has been Uganda’s top national secret. Click on  Ekibakibe_02Jan10A to listen to the full Ekiba Kibe news bulletin, as read by Robert Kabuye e Boston, in Luganda.

Buganda Post has received a few letters from Baganda, reacting to the December 17, 2009 Buganda Conference. All of them, without exception, express different levels of anger about the patronizing speeches made by non-Baganda (Bannamawanga) Kanyeihamba, Mao and Pulkhol, as well as Museveni’s abusive speech, which was delivered for him by Kakooza Mutale. Most of the letters praise the defiant and determined positions taken on Buganda’s demands by Kabaka Mutebi and his men Hussein Kyanjo and Nsubuga Nsambu.

Below, we publish the letter that best represents how upset the Baganda have written to us about the Buganda conference are. This letter was written by one Hannia Musemba and it is directed to Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and those who support his policy of begging non-Baganda to support Federo. The letter says that the only way forward for Buganda is independence.

Baganda we are missing the point the 100th time!

Since CBS station was knocked off from air, we are missing the point and this time around I find it very serious!  I read only about CBS as the fundamental human right deprived of us by this so-called Uganda Govt.

People lost their jobs (livelihood) that is brutality!  I wholeheartedly admit, so as you do, however this was not more brutal than our fellow innocent Baganda murdered in cold blood in the recent riots.  Please fellow Baganda we have missed a point the 100th time since the independence of that thing called Uganda.   We need CBS station, it is our right to have it, but it is not much important than all our dear ones who have been slaughtered like animals by these people:   Ben Kiwanuka, Andrew Kayira, the Muslims of Mbarara, massive innocent Baganda in Luwero, should I continue mentioning which month will I stop.  The point for Buganda now is Buganda’s Independence.   That is the point.

The question that has to break our minds now is not CBS or CBS only, but how can we throw these fellows away from our Land.  One day when Buganda Nation is independent we shall open 200 CBSes at once and no one will utter a word.  90,000 sq. kilometres [Editor: should be 9,000 sq. Miles] and more of our undisputable ancestral land are in hands of these same fellows.   If we remain so naive and indifferent, we are slaves now, our children and grand children are going be slaves as we are today.

From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate those two Buganda heroes Owekitiibwa. Nsambu and MP Kyanjo and those others who have bravely stated the fact of Buganda’s Independence. 

All the so-called negotiations going on with [Museveni], please I wonder why our Beloved Kabaka goes in such a mess!  Ssabassajja is a voice of more that 5 million Baganda and by fooling our King around and the Buganda delegation repeatedly, I have an impression that they consider us non-existent.

The man [Museveni] is using you and he will continue using you up till you break your last shoes.  Please don’t involve our King in such nonsensical talks with M7.  He  has proved all along that negotiations and agreement don’t exist in his vocabulary.

If you are realistic enough you would have noted already that these other tribes in the thing called Uganda will never wish Buganda to win, unless you are a day dreamer who thinks that Buganda has to go to these tribes and if need be dans on their rhythm asking them to accept Federo of better independence.

They will never accept. [Don’t have] illusions over that, live with me here on the Earth. Look at the Northern tribes, the people there after more that ten years war they have been left with nothing, still according Mr. Mao and DR Kanyeihamba we Buganda we have to go and beg these people to accept Federo system whereby they avail their own parliament and budget to develop their own region benefitting directly their own people.  If they are satisfied with their situation now,  I don’t find any reason why we should convince them to go federo. Let them wait for [Museveni] however they will have to wait much longer.

I know very well our ancestors signed treaties presided by then British civil servants which  under normal circumstances should be respected,  however [Museveni]  has never asked permission from the steak holders of that thing called Uganda as Rwandese to wage war in a foreign land called Uganda.  Therefore there are more that 101 ways to break away from this [dysfunctional] thing.

If you‘re near them ask them, how many jobs have been created by the thing called Uganda Govt in the Northern Uganda in the last 20 years?  How many people have been resettled back in their homes after the war.  Don’t they have eyes to see that? That all the money that would create such jobs or create resettlement programs for the northerners find their way out of the system through corruption and all is spent in Buganda region, then the question here!, “is Buganda the greatest loser with this corrupt system”?

Mr Mao asks Buganda to repackage the federo to win support from other tribes. Next time you come across him tell him, let the northerners draft their own version of federo system if really they need it, we shall sit down on a round table and talk. Otherwise let them keep and warm the camps in which their people are living now, in conditions much worse than animals in zoos. By the time they will wake up, the thing called Uganda Govt will have already sold their homelands to Chinese for their rice fields.

At one time I am not talking about 50 years ago even, Busoga was the economic heart of that thing called Uganda.  All Factories [burned]out or shifted to Buganda.  What did the so-called Uganda Govt do to [re-channel] or compensate these employment losses for Busoga?   [What you expect] if half of the so called Cabinet ministers spend indefinite hours on the CBS commission to defend their great divine master’s NO to the reopening of CBS Radio station, as if that is why they were made ministers.

Should Buganda go to the knee of King Kyabazinga of Busoga to convince him that the Basoga are one of the poorest tribe in Uganda now,  while one time the richest?  Has King Kyabazinga forgotten the lost glories of Busoga and Jinja town? Please don’t make us ridiculous if other tribes refuse deliberately to see it or they see it but they prefer to stay in the thing called Uganda that has milked their people to the last coin.  Let them do so.  The decisions you make save you or damn you!

One time Eritrea was Ethiopia and Ethiopia was Eritrea.  Now no more!  And in real terms Eritrea is one of the first growing economies of Africa. One time Monaco was France and France was Monaco.  Now no more!.  Now Monaco is one of the economic powers of Europe.

This thing called Uganda has systematically and consistently blocked Buganda’s development.  Our People are living in conditions much worse than in the medieval times. Go to Ki Mombasa, go to Makerere Kivulu, go to Mulago ghettos and so on and so forth.  Do you need a drawing to make you convinced?  Buganda shouldn’t miss the point once again!  Wake up!   Freedom is calling tomorrow! And [it is] our time!   Buganda Independence!

 Hannia Musemba

Two weeks ago, Museveni told a meeting of what he calls Uganda’s kings and cultural leaders that the NRM government had agreed to move hundreds of Balaalo from Bunyoro to “another area”. The meeting was in Masindi, Bunyoro, We have been informed by a source in the Uganda ministry of lands that the area where Museveni  moving the Balaalo consists of parts of Buwekula county and Singo county in Buganda. And there are plans to arm some of these Balaalo, in case they face resistance from Baganda in these rural areas. Museveni, who is a Mulaalo himself, is bringing the hundreds of Balaalo to Buganda in the belief that although the Banyoro have shown passionate hatred towards them, Baganda leaders are too weak to do anything about it.

It is not yet clear if Katikkiro Walusmbi and his cabinet are fully aware of this latest move by the Uganda dictator. However, it appears clear that Museveni’s iron fist stance and rapid anti-Buganda actions since late October 2009, are aimed to wearing Mmengo down and demoralizing Baganda nationalists. Two months ago Museveni and his NRM  occupation government imposed an information blackout on Baganda by closing CBS FM Radio and starting a censorship program to stop positive news reporting on Kabaka or Buganda by the Uganda media (see “Museveni Switches CBS Radio Off After It Mobilizes Thousands For Kayunga”).

According to our New York based Muganda analyst, Museveni is exposing the Balaalo from Bunyoro to certain future suffering. He told us by email: “Museveni is a sick and tired dictator in the mold Mobutu Sese Seko of Congo and Tito of Yugoslavia.  He will not last another 10 years. Unfortunately for the Balaalo, Indians and other  foreigners who are collaborating with him in the rape of Buganda, when he goes it will be like Yugoslavia, with Baganda seeking justice after more than 20 year of getting conned and abused by these thankless outsiders.  The group that is likely to face the most certain suffering are the Balaalo, Sudanese and other foreigners who have been inserted in rural areas of Buganda.  Who will protect them from the long suffering and angry Baganda villagers after Museveni is gone?”

For the whole month of October and part of November this year, Buganda Post has been the target of numerous cyber attacks.  First, malicious software was clandestinely placed on our server, to corrupt our news stories. That was followed by attempts to electronically take over the Buganda Post website. Finally, malicious softer code was inserted into the website disguised as comments, to make search engines like Google warn users that Buganda Post is a dangerous site.

After a lot of hard work, the site has been enhanced and restored to clean up the website. At least 80% of the stories are fully accessible and work to restore the rest of content is moving ahead.

Omulongo Nakato, the chief Buganda Post, moderator and editor told this writer: “We want Buganda Post readers and our supporters to  know a few things. First, we are very thankful to all of you who sent us emails of support and even made suggestions on how to deal with the problem. We have enhanced and hardened Buganda Post to make it much harder to hack using the same tricks as our attackers used.  However, we now know that Buganda Post is ‘bad news’ for some people and they want to disable it. So, are going to be much more vigilant in protecting the website.  We will also research how we might get some income from the site to pay for its security.”

Omulongo Nakato revealed that she does not know who is attacking the site.  She said: “The truth is that we do not know the hooligans at this time. What we know is that there are many possible attackers, all the way from thousands of career cyberspace criminals to anti-Buganda individuals and to members of dictator Museveni’s ISO and ESO.  What I can says is that we will have everything restored and much more secure by next week.  Once more, we are very grateful to our loyal readers, Baganda and our relatives and  our friends.”

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation (Champions) have asked president Museveni of the occupation Uganda government to be careful about the likely ramifincation of two contravesial NRM bills on AID and Homosexuality. Museveni’s NRM government is quietly pushing for passage of the two bills by Uganda’s rubberstamp parliament.  In a letter signed by Festus Mogae, the Champions chairman, the group tells Museveni that, if passed, the NRM laws, which include imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality, would go against international human rights standards and best practices for combating AIDS.

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation is a group of former African presidents and other influential personalities, have agreed to meet this challenge by advocating for a renewed and revitalized response from our regional leaders, with a focus on proven HIV prevention measures. It is chaired by Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana. Members include Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Mukapa and others. More details about the Champions are available on their website at www.hivfreechampions.org.

 The letter to the presdent of Uganda’s occupation government is reproduced below:

OFFICE OF THE CHAMPIONS SECRETARIAT

Festus G. Mogae
Chairperson
Telephone: + 267-3914071/3914082 Fax: + 267-3914097
Plot No. 115, Unit 4 Millenium Park Kgale Mews GABORONE
P/Bag 00318 GABORONE BOTSWANA

October 30, 2009

CFHIVG-PR-200910

 His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda
State House Nakasero
P.O. Box 24594
Kampala, Uganda

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Champions for an HIV -Free Generation, I send you warmest greetings and best wishes.

We, the Champions for an HlV-Free Generation, are on a mission to exchange ideas and encourage stronger and more visionary leadership in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Sub Saharan Africa. Our mandate is to promote key policy, legal, cultural and behavioral practices, as well as messages that help accelerate the social outcomes needed to achieve an HIV-free generation.

The first is a draft Bill, the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009,” recently introduced by a private member’s motion in the Parliament of  the Republic of  Uganda. Among the most disturbing  provisions of the bill are: Incarceration for any person convicted  of  ”homosexuality”; a sentencing of death for anyone with HIV convicted  of  ”aggravated homosexuality”; incarceration for “promotion of homosexuality”; criminal penalties that apply to citizens and permanent residents living outside of Uganda; and declaring null and void any “international  legal instrument whose provisions are contradictory to the spirit and provisions enshrined in this Act:”

The second Bill that has come to our attention is the draft “‘HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill,” currently under debate in the Uganda Law Reform Commission. Many positive aspects of the bill exist, including provisions against discrimination of people with HIV and AIDS in schools and at places of work. However, one provision of the Bill stipulates incarceration for offenses related to the “breach of safe practices of HIV prevention.”

Your Excellency, we respectfully express our concern at the provisions referenced in these two Bills and fear that passage of such legislation, which deviates from international best practice and recommendations, could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS and the groups most vulnerable to the epidemic.

The 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS, adopted by all UN Member Stares, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of those “at the greatest risk of, and most vulnerable to, new infection as indicated by such factors as … sexual practices.” At the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS, the Member States reiterated their commitment underlying the need for “full and active participation of vulnerable groups … and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them … while respecting their privacy and confidentiality.” Furthermore, assessments conducted by UNAIDS for the General Assembly have confirmed that stigma, discrimination and criminalization faced by men who have sex with men are major barriers to the movement for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

UNAIDS has recommended that governments respect, protect and fulfill the rights of men who have sex with men and address stigma and discrimination in society and in the workplace by amending laws prohibiting sexual acts between consenting adults in private, enforcing anti-discrimination, and promoting programmes for men who have sex with men who may be especially vulnerable to HIV infection.

With respect to the “HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill”, UNAIDS and other international best practices recommend against HIV -specific criminal laws, laws directly mandating disclosure of HIV status, and other laws which are counterproductive to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support efforts, or which violate the human rights of people living with HIV. Inappropriate or overly­ broad application of criminal law to HIV transmission creates a real risk of increasing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, thus driving them further away from HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

Your Excellency, the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation believe that positive action by both government and individual leaders of stature, like yourself, can help create environments that promote HIV prevention efforts and behaviour change. We humbly ask that you take action to halt the harmful provisions in the draft Bills cited in this letter, and by doing so, preserve the rights of all Ugandans.

Yours Sincerely

Mr. Festus G. Mogae

Chairman of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation and Former President of  the Republic of Botswana

Copied To:
(a) The Champions: Their Excellencies: Kenneth Kaunda, Joaquim  Chissano and Benjamin Mkapa; His Grace, Desmond Tutu; Dr. Speciosa Wandira; Justice Edwin Cameron; Prof. Miriam Were and Ms. Liya Kebede

(b) Chairman, Uganda Law Reform Commission

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

L-R: Dr Steven Lwetutte (Amnesty International officer on matters concerning with Eastern Europe), Downing Street, Lawrence Muyimba (Treasurer Buganda Centre), Chairman Buganda Centre Deo Kiggundu Malagala and Harriet Senyonjo dilivering a petition to British Prime Minister’s Office, No 10 Downing Street last month.

LONDON: As pressure mounts and more petitions continue, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the first time has come out to speak about the September 11, massacre of 30 unarmed civilians and continue incarceration of over 800 people in the capital Kampala. “The UK government is deeply concerned about the recent rioting in Kampala,” reads  in part an October 23, letter, to expatriate Ugandans who last month petitioned the UK government and the International Community demanding that Uganda’s foreign backers to withdraw their support to dictator Yoweri Museveni’s regime after the September massacre of innocent civilians.

Judith Mann from Great Lakes Section on behalf of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), wrote: “With our EU partners, we have raised our concerns about the use of excessive force by the police and defence during the riots with the government of Uganda and we have encouraged them to instigate an independent investigation into the riots.” This followed the increase petitions and lobbying by several groups of Ugandans abroad. Since the September, Kampala, streets carnage three groups most of them potential voters in the UK polls, have petitioned British Prime Minister’s No. 10 Downing Street. Whilst, others have prepared several dossiers to the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the European Union.

Although, the Ugandan President Museveni in his speech to the Parliament just after the riot, he justified his forces’ action as they handled the rioters. It has now emerged Uganda Government’s narrative of the events to the International Community is different. Museveni, in his televised directive was “Shoot and Kill’ order when the riot broke out on September 10, as Military Police and other armed security operatives blocked Prime Minister who was preparing His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s visit to Kayunga an area  in Buganda Kingdom.  However, it has now been understood that when asked to account for the deaths and random arrests, the Uganda government’s message to the FCO is like chalk and cheese.

“The Ugandan authorities have told us that this will be investigated and that where appropriate, individuals will be held to account,” reads a FCO communiqué, contradicting, Museveni’s speech in which he labelled the protestors  as ‘shadowy subversive activities’ against his regime and  ‘hooligans’ whose purpose was meant to loot and destroy properties. During the September 11, riot, allegations of a foreign country, in this regard suspected to be Libya, had allegedly channelled huge amount of money to Buganda Kingdom to fund anti-NRM activities. The kingdom has vehemently denied such allegations, calling it playing dirt politics by Museveni’s regime to divert attention from  legitimate demands and possibly to persecute official from Mengo establishment.
The current-day Uganda acquires its name from the ancient Kingdom of Buganda, a hereditary monarchy that once covered the southern part the country including the capital Kampala. His Majesty Mutebi II, the custodian of the Kingdom has unsolved issues with the central government which include; the return of 9000sqmile of land, its County headquarters and a demand for Federal system of governance that can check corruption. In addition to now the formerly cherished CBS FM radio station which was closed during the recent riot.

In a separate communiqué to this reporter, another officer Ms Stephanie Sandison, said that the General Affairs External Relations Council of the European Union express its concern over the September’s riots in Kampala, arguing the Ugandan Government to resolve any political disputes through peaceful dialogue and democratic  institutions. That,  the Council also urges the Government to do its utmost to assure that there will be a level playing field in the run up to the general elections of 2011 and that these elections will be free, fair and transparent. Ms Sandison said; “This has been agreed jointly by all EU Member States, including the UK.  A full copy of the text can be found at: tttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/gena/110787.pdf.”

“We continue to monitor the political situation in Uganda closely and regularly discuss human rights issues with the Uganda Government,” said officer Ms Sandison from the Great Lake Region when reacting to question why the British Government unfailingly continues to cosset the tyrannical regime given the well documented human rights abuses. Reacting to a demand made in several petitions by expatriate Ugandans to have the September protesters released, Ms Sandison, said: “We continue to push for further action on human rights issues such as media freedom, illegal detention and politically motivated harassment.”
“The UK Government remains determined to bring stability to the region and will continue to work with the international community and partners in the region to bring this about,” says Ms Sandison.

Not used to public debates, fearing and well aware of the power of the media, President Museveni, justified CBS FM closure, when he claimed that it was inciting violence. Then the government accused CBS and other stations of inflaming violence that erupted in the entire region.

Meanwhile Ugandans in Diaspora joined the 120 country groups to continue lobby the UK Government and EU donors to scrutinise the Uganda Government in to protect their interests. In the last month, Ugandans from different organisations abroad have approached potential lobbyists over the current situation in Uganda.

“A total of 30 innocent civilians were brutally murdered by Museveni’s security forces last month and about 1000 people are still incarcerated in secret places, so, it’s our duty to check this situation,” said a member who attended a meeting with top UK Bishop and a member of House of Lords. The deputation, who has so far secured an informal approach with some UK MPs and members of House of Lords, is lobbying to give accurate and truthful information to the Commons about Uganda.

“We want to inform the legislators here that, the government’s continue backing of Museveni, is putting the British interests in Uganda at risk,” a member who attended an hour meeting at one of the Cathedral on October 19, told this reporter. Exclusively, this reporter has learnt that with the group has also prepared a similar dossier to be circulated to the European Parliament in Brussels-Belgium. A source said: “We are not going to use any form of force, but our brains and the power of the pen. That is why many politicians and Uganda’s foreign backers have welcomed this kind of approach. Let Museveni spend millions of dollars to decorate his corrupt regime, we are encountering his lies by delivering factual evidences,” said a source.

Uganda’s iron fisted dictator, Yoweri  Museveni, is in the middle of a hurriedly arranged tour of Buganda under the pretext of promoting  ”Bona bagagawale” (”prosperity for all”).  However, Mr. Museveni has attracted such small audiences that his state house has banned all newspapers from publishing photos from the rallies. The decision was taken as soon as Museveni’s handlers observed that when Museveni went to Kyaggwe, in the Kisoga area, he received  crowds that were substantially smaller crowds than the ones his opponent, Kiiza Besigye, had attracted  a few weeks earlier. To further complicate matters for Uganda’s warlord, his crowds tend to be dominated by village idlers and pickpockets and are not always friendly.

One email from a source close to Museveni’s state house says: “The state house simply had no choice but to stop everyone from printing pictures when the crowds in Kyaggwe and Rakai do not even come to even 20% of what Kabaka would attract. And they are also clearly smaller than what Besigye gets. To make things worse, when Kabaka goes places, people roll themselves in the dust on the road asking him to walk over their back. When  the president goes anywhere, people ignore his length speeches and as soon as he finishes start complaining  about everything from terrible roads, land grabbing by ‘foreigners’ and drunkard husbands. In a couple cases he has been asked to explain why he does not leave Kabaka alone.”

In a related development, another Uganda government source who is in contact with Mr. Museveni’s convoy in Rakai, Kooki county, sent us an email to say that Mr. Museveni is spending two days in the area to have more time with his local spies regarding the deteriorating security situation in both Buddu and Kooki counties. And, reportedly, to dish out bribes to local NRM operatives and other locals with a long-term goal of undermining  both Omutaka Kabumbuli and the Kabaka in Kooki.  Museveni reportedly gives out the bribe money  during secret night meetings and, while in the Kooki area, he is sleeping only about 3-4 hours a night.

Zakaria Kakumba

Nyendo – Masaka, Buddu

Luganda (Original)

Mwana waffe Ssemujju, tufunye ensisisi okuwulira nti olanze mu butongole nti oli mu FDC era kati otambulira ku bilagiro bya Mukiga Omuhororo Kiiza Besigye ne mukyala we ‘katula kebise buka’ Omulaalo Winnie.  Wadde simanyi kusoma luzungu naye mbadde nenyumiririza nnyo mu bigambo by’owandiika kubanga babinkyusiza bulungi abavubuka. Ate on’omugu w’eddalu bweyali tanaba kusalako radio yaffe, nga sikusubwa ne madamu ticha Nambooze ku Kiriza oba gaana. Nze awamu ne mukyala wange ffena otulese bubi nnyo, kubanga tubadde tumanyi nti oli musajja mugezi nnyo era omanyi ebyafaayo bya Buganda. Era nga omanyi nti banamawanga bonna okuva ku bazungu ku Muteesa I okutuuka ku Museveni ku Mutebi II balwaana kumalawo Buganda. Oyo Omukiga namwe abakozesa bukozesa nga kondomu era olunamala nga asuula mu kyolooni. Olowooza bwebinatuuka ku nsonga enkulu ennyo ez’ebyaama bya FDC Besigye oba Winnie Byanyima banabyogerako nga waliwo omuzirango Ssemujju?

Ssebo mutabani, eriso ly’omukulu, awaddugala wewalaba. Kyenva nkusaba wekube mu kifuba ogende mpola ku banamawanga. Ye ddala enjawulo wakati wa Museveni ne Besigye egenda kuba etya? Olowoza ba Seguya, Abu Mayanja, Kisekka nabo si bwebeewa Museveni mbu kubanga yali aleeta enkyukakyuuka ez’omoggundu? Mutabani bazaamu, senga Besigye awangula nga bwolowooza, emirimu ggyonna egy’amaanyi anagiwa ani? Oba tomanyi, kankubireko nti Abakiga bajja kwongera ku kyebalya naye omulyo era gujja kusigala mu be bugwanjuba. Ku bya Buganda, agenda kwegaana endagaano zonna nga Museveni bwakola kati. Kubanga ssenga Abaganda tufuna Federo eya 1962 ne mailo 9,000 tuba tujja kuyitawo nnyo. Teli munamawanga mu Uganda, abe Mukiga, Mulango, Munyoro oba Musoga, ayinza kukikkiriza. Wadde Omuganda nga Haji Nasser Sebagala senga awangula, tagenda kukiriza.

Bulijjo ffe tumanyi nti omutima gwo gusibira ku bya Buganda na Ssabasajja. Mutabani kyaali kiwaani? Anti wadde ffembi tuli basilaamu naye tukimanyi nti okugenda okukuwoowa n’omukyala omulala nga gw’olina kati mulwadde tolina zimujanjaba, biba bya Ekanya. Kituluma okuba nti luli obadde n’omulamwa ogwa nabaddala era nga nebwogwaako ekizibu okuva mu ba NRM tumanya ensonga. Kati omulamwa ggwo gufuuse ki okujjako okutendereza Omukiga Besigye? Bwebanakuba ebiyiso, onotugamba nti babikkubira Bakiga na Balaalo?

Katusabe Mungu akuwe emirembe era bwekiba kisoboka akuzibule amaaso, otegeere nti ebintu bya Uganda bya ‘lubaale mubbe’. Bano abasajja, nga ne Besigye mw’omutwaalidde, ba luganda abajja okunyaga Buganda. Bwebayomba mbu FDC oba NRM, tewemalaayo nnyo kubanga ‘ab’oluganda bita, bwebikonagana tebyatika’.

Ssabasajja Awangaale.

Notes and English Translations By Buganda Post Writers

On October 29, 2009 Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, one of the most prominent pro-Buganda journalists in Uganda announced that he had joined FDC. Prior to the announcement, Mr. Ssemujju was known to be relatively independent of Ugandan political parties although he showed sympathy for FDC and JEEMA and openly opposed the NRM. For details of  Ssemujju’s announcement see “SSEMUJJU NGANDA: Why I have joined FDC” or visit the Observer website at www.observer.ug.

English

Our son Ssemujju, we were shocked to hear that you officially announced that you are FDC and will now take your orders from the Muhororo Mukiga Kiiza Besigye his Mulaalo ‘katula kebisse buka’ (‘sweet looking bitter pill’) Winnie.  Although I don’t know who to read English, I have been very proud of what you write because the young people here translate well for me. And before the mad man closed our radio station, I would never miss listening to you on the “Kiriza Oba Gaana” (”Take It Or Leave It”) program. You have left both me and my wife in a very bad situation because we were confident that you are an intelligent man who knows the history of Buganda. And that you know that foreigner, from the time of the British with Muteesa I to Museveni with Mutebi, are always fighting to take Buganda off the map. That Mukiga will also use you like condoms and afterwards throw you away in trash. Do you really think that when it comes to discussing sensitive FDC matters Besigye or Winnie Byanyima will do it in the presence of a Ngo clan member Ssemujju?

Son, the dirty part of an elder’s eye is what sees. That is why I am begging you to rethink your decision and go slow with these foreigners. Really, what is the big difference you expect between Museveni and Besigye? Son, think about it, if Besigye wins as you believe, who is going to get all the important jobs? In case you don’t know, let me tell you that Bakiga will eat more but, overall, everything will stay with the westerners. On Buganda issues, he will simply deny having signed any agreements as Museveni has done. Because, if Baganda get the 1962 Federo plus the 9,000 square miles they may develop very fast. No foreigner in Uganda, whether Mukiga, Langi, Munyoro or Musoga would allow it. Even if a Muganda like Haji Nasser Ssebagala wins, he will not allow it.

All along, we were sure that your heart is with Buganda and Ssabasajja Kabaka. Son, were we misled? That is because, though both of us are Muslims, we know that running to marry a second wife when you have money problems and your first wife is sick, is ridiculous. It pains us that up to now you had a clear agenda so that even if the NRM people gave you problems, the reasons would be clear. Now, what is you agenda except to praise and promote Besigye? And if they inject you with funny chemicals, will it be for Bakiga and Balaalo?

We shall pray to God to give you peace and, if possible, to open your eyes so you can understand that Uganda politics is a case of ‘lubaale mubbe’ (”the bag is empty”). These people, including Besigye, are all of one family and they came to ransack Buganda. Even when the fight over FDC or NRM politics, don’t get too involved because  ‘ab’oluganda bita, bwebikonagana tebyatika’ (”brothers are like wine gourds, when they knock each other they never break.”)

Ssabasajja Awangaale.

The organizers of the Buganda Emergency Meeting, which took place on October 17, 2009, in Boston USA, have published the resolutions from the event (see “Muliika And Frank Musisi To Headline Boston Buganda Emergency Conference“).  We first received a copy of the resolutions at around 4:00 PM Boston time but it took us until 7:30 PM to verify that it was genuine. That is when a highly reliable source confirmed to us that the document was being circulated on the top Baganda discussion lists by Mr. James Semakula, one of the organizers.

Buganda post is preparing a story, together with in depth analysis, on the Buganda Emergency Meeting to be published over the weekend.

The resolution document is reproduced in its entirety below:

Resolutions of the Buganda Emergency Meeting in Boston on October 17, 2009‏

Preamble:-

Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICFSCR), guarantee the right to self determination of all people;

Convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the NRM government has violated fundamental human rights;

Saddened by the gross, unjust and inefficient governance inflicted on the people of Uganda by the NRM regime;

Realizing that Unity is essential to achieving our collective objectives;

Determined to rid Uganda of bad governance, dictatorship, and corruption;

Condemning strongly the NRM government’s continued interference in the running of independent institutions and intrusion into the running and electoral process of organizations of Ugandans in the Diaspora;

We hereby earnestly resolve as follows:-

1.    Establish structures to analyze and determine the resources needed to achieve our objectives.

2.    Advise the Kabaka not to directly negotiate with Museveni, his government, or agents of the NRM regime.

3.    Take appropriate steps to fundraise in order to finance the necessary activities to lead to change and the establishment of genuine democracy in Uganda.

4.    Pursue all legal channels that are useful in achieving our objectives including, but not limited to, international legal action.

5.    Educate the International community about the true political situation in Uganda through demonstrations on a regular basis and lobby work at the New York UN headquarters, Washington DC, and other major cities in the world.

6.    Boycott, effective immediately, all government media and other anti-Buganda entities.

7.    Intensify civic education of the people about the problems and possible solution to the problems being faced by Buganda.

8.    Reach out to other Ugandan ethnicities and groups with a view to making alliances to advance the cause of Democracy and Federalism.

9.    Expose government spies, informers, and traitors– and record their illegal activities within and outside Uganda for the purpose of future prosecution.

10.  Seek better Medical treatment for Mrs. Betty Nambooze Bakireke.

11.  Reject (unanimously) the Regional Tier as a form of governance in Uganda.

12.  Agree that Museveni and his regime must go; and resolve to establish a mechanism for free and fair elections