Uganda NRM government has announced plans to move over 10,000 Bagisu victims of recent landslides in Eastern Uganda to Bugerere of Buganda Kingdom. The county is densely populated and very  politically charged and many Baganda see the move as an effort to reduce their Kabaka’s influence in the area. Bugerere county, and Kayunga town in particular, was the focal point of a confrontation between Uganda’s NRM government and Buganda Kingdom, which led to the massacre of over 30 Baganda.

The Kayunga crisis started when president Museveni ordered his police and army not to allow the Kabaka of Buganda to officiate at a youth function in Kayunga town until the Katikkiro (prime minister of Buganda Kingdom) obtained permission from an NRM installed lead of the minority Buganda ethnic group called the Banyala. The Banyala make up less than 5% of Bugerere’s population.  Kabaka’s government rejected the government’s conditions and sent the Katikkiro to supervise the preparations for Kabaka’s visit. Mr. Museveni’s police and army blocked the Katikkiro and the action led to major rioting throughout major Buganda cities. In the capital, scores of businesses, cars and other properties were destroyed and the NRM police and army killed over 30 Baganda. Hundreds more are feared to have been murdered after thousands were later arrested and many disappeared without trace.

Uganda Bureau of Statistics data shows that 23,000 Bagisu live in Bugerere county already, along with 47,000 Basoga, 95,000 Baganda, and other small groups.  The mud slides were concentrated in  the Bududa area of Bugisu.

According to sources, the NRM government will move between 10,000 and 20,000 Bagisu to Bugerere as soon as possible. The NRM government is soliciting assistance of Red Cross International, UNDP and UNICEF in the move. The three organizations have already helped the government to temporarily house the mudslide victims in secondary schools. The sources add that although there is much more open land in Busoga and other parts of Buganda, the NRM government sees this as a big opportunity to reduce the numeric advantage of Baganda in Bugerere county.

Other sources have told this writer that plans by the NRM to bring over 10,000 Bagisu to an already volatile Bugerere county have raised fears of possible future genocidal violence among both Bagisu and Baganda residents of the county. Some of the long time Bagisu residents of Bugerere who see themselves as Kabaka’s subjects are fearful that they will be lumped together with the new Bagisu invaders. And some Baganda fear that the NRM is doing as a long-term plan to make Baganda a minority in their native lands and create tensions that can lead to genocide in future. If the Red Cross and UN blindly support massive settlement of Bagisu in Bugerere, they could be involved in planting the seeds of future genocide in Buganda.

According to an official press release by the Kabaka’s Government, the Lion of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has chosen to cerebrate his 55th birthday with the various theatrical groups in Uganda.

According to the committee chairperson, Minister Mohamood Thobani, celebrations will be held on 13th April 2010 at Theatre Labonita where theatrical groups will be hosted among other guests to celebrate with their King.

Thobani explained that this has been done to appreciate the artists for their tremendous efforts in promoting the cultural norms and values of Buganda through talents.

He added that “most times, artists have supported the Kingdom and therefore there is no better way to thank them than to let them cerebrate Kabaka’s birthday with him”.

He further elaborated that this year’s celebrations under the theme “Obuwangwa bwaffe n’obukozi ge maanyi” will also include bringing the youth closure to their cultural background.

In this regard, Kabaka Mutebi will visit Kibuli Senior Secondary School where many young people will gather to cerebrate Kabaka’s birthday.

Celebrations will begin with general prayers at Kibuli Mosque, thereafter, Kabaka will visit Kibuli hospital to extend his sympathies to those in pain from where he will head to Kibuli Senior Secondary School. The day’s cerebrations will be crowned by a cocktail party to be hosted at Theatre Labonita.

This year’s organizing committee includes among the following, Mohamood Thobani as the chairperson, Ahmed Bamweyana, Ahmed Lwasa, Hajati Mariam Mayanja, Kayima Stephen Nawuba Rajin Tailor, Samlie Mwanje, Nakimuli Leticia, Omulangira David Wasajja, Muganga John Herman, Huruna Njuki and Nalinnya Nabanakulya.

American National Public Radio (NPR) has produced a special program on the current state of affairs in Uganda. In the program His Majesty, Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II, Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and Owek. David Mpanga articulately speak about Buganda hopes and aspirations. Mr. Tamale Mirundi, one of Mr. Museveni’s closest advisors and confidants, responds to Kabaka Mutebi and Buganda on behalf of the NRM government.

Clearly unaware of the concept of the fundamental human right to self-determination,  Tamale Mirundi says in Luganda English: “Federalism means Buganda, all of the kingdoms, were sitting down and they create a central government. This is arrogance. Where do they get to mandate, dictate or not? Where do they get the mandate?”

Click here to listen to the NPR special program.

You can also read the text of the broadcast here.

Thanks to pressure from ordinary Baganda and politicians who are scared of losing votes in Buganda, Uganda’s life president Yoweri Museveni, would like to reopen Buganda’s CBS FM Radio now. However the prospects of this happening appear poor, given the growing number of power centers that oppose it and his own crude stubbornness.

Museveni erected the first hurdle when he decided to set what many observers consider unreasonable conditions, for rescinding the illegal closure of the most popular radio station in Uganda. The ridiculous conditions, even by the standards of donor governed Uganda, included firing all presenters who annoyed Ugandan president in the past, moving the radio station headquarters to a location more agreeable to the NRM government, only airing cultural programs and, most incredibly, dropping legal cases that CBS employees filed against government.

According to local press reports, the Buganda minister of information, Owek. Medard Lubega Ssegona, reacted swiftly, saying in Luganda: “Tetuyinza kuwaayo Bwakabaka  batuweemu leediyo. Obukwakkulizo bwa gavumenti bumenya Konsitityusoni n’amateeka amalala.” (“We cannot surrender our kingdom in exchange for a radio station. The [NRM] government’s demands are illegal.”). At the same time, a sources in Mmengo told us that Katikkiro Walusimbi and other businessmen in Buganda Government want to negotiate with Museveni on the conditions but are simply overwhelmed by the other forces.

The most formidable force against opening of CBS under Museveni’s arbitrary conditions is the Baganda masses and the Bataka (clan elders). This group, which also includes CBS Fans Club and the more nationalistic members of Buganda government, misses the radio station most and is putting most pressure on Museveni to re-open it. However, they are strongly opposed to the reopening if it will lead to changes in their radio station’s format or presenters. Although Kabaka Mutebi is quiet on the issue, word on the Baganda street is that he is fully with his subjects and the Bataka (as Ssabataka, Kabaka Mutebi is part of the Bataka).

Also strongly opposed for the reopening are Baganda members of the Ugandan opposition political parties, DP, FDC and UPC. Most of these political types would like CBS to remain closed until the 2011 elections to maximize Baganda anger and anti-NRM feelings. Joyce Nabbosa Sebugwaawo is a strong activist in the Bakiga/Banyankore led FDC and she quoted by the local press saying: “Gavumenti ekole ky’eyagala bwe baliyagala baligizzaako. Obukwakkulizo bwe batutaddeko tebujja kukola era tubugaanyi. Banaffe oba basazeewo kukola nga bannakyemalira, katubaleke bagende mu maaso.” (“Let the government do whatever they want. Whenever they decide they can reopen it. The conditions they have imposed are impractical and we rejected them. Our colleagues have chosen to be dictators, we will let them go ahead.”)

Others opposed to the CBS opening, but possibly working independently, are disgruntled NRMs who feel betrayed by Museveni. One example is Janat Mukwaya, who, according to state house sources, Museveni is anxious to drop. Mrs. Mukwaya reportedly knows this and she has already decided not to run for re-election in 2011. But she is privately afraid about her future, including the personal safety of her family because of the anti-Baganda crimes she has committed on behalf of  the Museveni who is now dumping her. Another one is Museveni’s vice president Gilbert Bukenya, who is seeing red over the not so subtle murder of his son followed by the the highly public ridicule by Museveni and Tamale Mirundi over the CHOGOM car scandal. These two and other disillusioned NRMs, reportedly now have individual “Ffena tufiirwe” (“If I lose everyone must lose”) agendas in connection with CBS Radio.  In general, they are pushing for CBS to remain closed so that hatred for Museveni and Banyankore in Buganda may increase. Short term agendas.

According to the  July 8, 2010 issue of NRM government mouthpiece, the New Vision newspaper, Buganda minister of information, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has disowned popular Buganda Hussein Kyanjo’s statements that, if  Museveni’s government fails to adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law, the people of Buganda would take up arms. The New Vision further says that Owek. Mayiga dismissed Kyanjo’s the remarks as his (Kyanjo’s) personal opinion. Mayiga is quoted as saying:“Kyanjo is not the spokesperson of the Buganda kingdom. He is not a Mmengo official. Those remarks he made were his personal opinion.” However, there is no indication that Mayiga explained his claim that Mmengo officials represent the kingdom of Buganda.

Museveni’s New Vision says that Owek. Mayiga explained Mmengo’s disagreement with Kyanjo by saying: “Our strongest weapon is dissemination of information regarding our legitimate cause. If voters are informed, they don’t need to pick up arms to get what they want because our Constitution says power belongs to people.”

When Buganda Post contacted a prominent lawyer and Buganda analyst based in the United Kingdom, he responded that both Mayiga and Kyanjo refer to the Museveni’s constitution appropriately but if Mayiga is quoted correctly then he is being dishonest. The analyst also questioned Mayiga’s alleged claim that only Mmengo speaks for Buganda. The analyst explained: “Mayiga focuses on Article 1 of Museveni’s constitution, which says ‘power belongs to the people’. Mayiga, Makubuya and ordinary Baganda know that by bribing MPs to change presidential term limits, invading Congo without consulting parliament, ignoring the popular call for Federo, stealing elections and committing similar illegal acts, Museveni and the NRM usurped the people’s power and broke the constitution.

“Unlike Mayiga, Kyanjo is reading both Article 1 and Article 3 of Museveni’s constitution. And Article 3 says that ‘(4) All citizens of Uganda have a right and duty to protect the Constitution.’ and ‘(5) Any person who defends and protects the Constitution commits no offence…’ without limiting the means of defending the constitution. Mayiga and Makubuya know that Kyanjo’s position is 100% correct and legal under Article 3. It appears that  they have been compromised either by personal interests and mere cowardice.”

On the matter of who speaks for Buganda, our analyst first clarifies that, for centuries, Baganda believe that power in Buganda is vested in the institution of Kabaka, since, as Ssabataka who is not tied to one clan, he can lead and guide all Bataka and their grandchildren (Baganda) wisely and fairly. That is why the Kabaka consults and weighs everything very carefully before he speaks and why Baganda do not criticize him publicly. The top Mmengo official is the Katikkiro of Buganda, who is appointed by the Kabaka, after wide consultation with clan leaders, religious leaders and many other Baganda. All Mmengo officials are deemed to have been appointed by Kabaka and to speak for Buganda but, in reality, they are screened and selected by the Katikkiro and other Mmengo officials before presentation to the Kabaka.

He then said: “If you compare the strong statements and decisions that Kabaka Mutebi has made over Federo, Buganda land, the attempted firing of Nambooze from CBS and freedom and justice for Baganda and those made by Walusimbi and Mayiga you can see that the Katikkiro and his friend are outright disobeying the Kabaka. Don’t forget that that it was Mayiga, John Katende, Apollo Makubuya and Katikkiro Ssemwogerere who lied to Kabaka and Buganda that Museveni’s Regional Tier was good for Buganda in 2006. If Mmengo speaks for Buganda, why did the Buganda Lukiiko soundly reject Regional Tier on February 7, 2006?

“Baganda are not stupid. They can see when Mmengo is no longer serving the Kabaka or his subjects’ interests. If that is the case, then how can Mmengo claim to be to only spokesmen for the Kingdom? Mmengo is not even recognized in Museveni’s constitution, which Mayiga constantly quotes!  I disagree. I think that by siding with and appeasing the occupation NRM government so frequently, Mmengo has lost the minds and hearts of Baganda. Ordinary Baganda, who are 80% youths, are more interested in what Nambooze or Kyanjo or Nsambu or Ssemujju says than what Walusimbi or Mayiga announces. In reality, Nambooze, Kyanjo,  Nsubuga Nsambu and Ssemujju speak more for Buganda than the compromised Mmengo leaders. That is why Kabaka Mutebi has found himself having to speak out, to cancel the misinformation by Walusimbi and Mayiga. The bottom line is, every Muganda now has a duty to fight for Buganda’s freedom from the current armed occupation.”

On January 6, 2010 Ekiba Kibe program, which is broadcast to cellular telephones via multi-media message service (MMS), has accused Mmengo of incompetence and appealed to Baganda to realize that they do not need to rely on Mmengo to fight for Buganda’s rights and freedom (see “Mmengo Is Unqualified To Fight For Buganda, Diaspora MMS Radio Says“.)

A few months ago, Buganda Post was the victim of unknown electronic hooligans, who hacked and corrupted our databases (see  “Buganda Post Hacked By Unknown Hooligans” and “NRM Might Be Behind The Attacks On Baganda Web News Outlets“). Although many of our sources, including you our loyal readers, suggested that it was the work of the NRM occupation government , we still do not know who did it.

We Baganda have a saying: “Akugoba, y’akuwa ekkubo” (“He who chases you (from where you are comfortable), is the one who shows  you the way (to a better place)”. In that spirit, after painfully repairing parts of the Buganda Post website, we decided to redesign it and make and even better platform for Buganda national information to flow.

Over the next couple of months, we shall launch a redesigned Buganda Post, which is more professionally laid out and with better opportunities for Buganda citizens and others interested in the kingdom to exchange information and ideas.  We are doing our best to make sure that the familiar, simple look and color scheme of Buganda Post , even as we add more features. For example, we have already put Buganda Post on Twitter and soon it will be on facebook.  Another example is that Buganda Post will include a few blogs, where some of our readers will be able to freely express their opinions on issues that are important to Buganda. If you are interested in having your own blog on Buganda Post, please contact me at pnakato@bugandapost.com – only 2-4 blogs will initially be included.

We thank our readers who stayed with us even when some of the browsers would not work with Buganda Post because of the malware that hackers had put in the our website. Special thanks to our original sponsors and those of you who donated the funds that have allowed us to build a better website.

Check out Buganda Post on Twitter (search for bugandapost or Bu Post). Expect Buganda Post on facebook soon. And expect an enhanced website soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ssabasajja Kabaka Awangaale!

Patricia Nakato

A survey of that has been carried out by two Baganda statisticians in Kampala suggests that the Asian community in Uganda is key to Museveni’s and the NRM’s armed occupation of Buganda. They control the local banking industry, have a virtual monopoly on manufacturing and are the investment agents of choice for the biggest Balaalo and Banyrwanda money launderers in the region. According to the survey, if you leave out the NGO and Telecommunications sectors, Asians and Banyankore jointly control over 70% of all full time private sector jobs in Buganda. And it is this joint control of jobs and money by Asians and Banyankore that has made the former key to the NRM’s oppressive occupation of Buganda.

The survey reveals that although over 75% of all business activities Museveni’s Uganda are in Buganda  and Baganda are a large majority within the Kingdom, Asian businesses today employee more Banyankore/Bakiga/Banyarwanda than Baganda. Many Asian businessmen are in fact starting to avoid employing Baganda altogether, in fear of appearing to support Kabaka or Buganda. In the processes, Ugandan Asians, who are primarily Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Rankans have become a critical weapon to the NRM in the mission to destroy Buganda.

The researchers found that, in general, today’s Indians and other Asians have a much higher percentage of ruthless criminal elements in their ranks than the population that was chased out by Idi Amin in the early 1970s. In fact 25% – 30% entered Museveni’s Uganda illegally. For example, in 1970 many Indians and other Asians engaged in tax cheating, sabotaged Baganda businesses and promoted bribery. However, many of them also supported the Buganda Government and generously employed Baganda.  However, there were no equivalents to Museveni’s Indian mercenaries  like Sudhir Ruparellia, Karim Hirji, Mukesh Shukla, Rajni Karia, Ketan Morjaria Kanathan Vellupullia and others like them.

The survey discovered that  the Asians are now so assimilated to the NRM culture of crime and impunity that Museveni trusts them more than any other group except for Banyarwanda, Banyankore and Bakiga.  Indeed,  Museveni’s people have used Asians to launder hundreds of millions of dollars since the looting of Congo, though companies like Petro, Meera, Orient Bank, Bidco, Crane Bank, Munyonyo Resort, Golf Course Properties, Kabira Club, Shumuk Company, Kakira Sugar Works, Speke Hotel.  Through these Asians, individuals like Sam Kuteesa, Janet Museveni, Amama Mbabazi and Muhoozi Kainerugaba have acquired properties worth tens of millions of dollars in the UK, the USA and South Africa. Even the Bandari Jaffa family of Fairway Hotel fame,  collaborated by helping with the secret white house scholarships.

There is evidence that the deliberate integration of Asians into Museveni’s anti-Buganda campaign started in the 1990-1995 period. That is when the Ugandan warlord made clear gestures to the Indian community they wanted them as partners in crime. For example, he authorized Jim Muhweezi  to free Sudhir Parelia from jail and then allow him to run a fake national lottery and later open a bank. That Bank was later used heavily by NRM and NRA officials who looted Congo to hide their ill-gotten wealth.  And Sudhir had been in jail on money laundering charges.  Also in the mid 1990s, Museveni ordered the police to drop a case against Karim Hirji for the murder of Gerard Kiddu, a Muganda of Mamba clan. Now, Sudhir and Karim are the largest investment partner for Mr. and Mrs. Museveni and their extended families.

The survey found no evidence that Indians and other Asians have supported Buganda or Kabaka in a substantial way.  On the contrary, they have discriminated again Baganda in employment, as shown by the fact that Asians in Buganda employ more westerners than Baganda. While Asian business and criminal enterprises gross an estimated $850million minimum per year, they always contributed less than $250,000 per year  to Kabaka’s programs.  Mmengo tried to bring Indians and other Asians closer by recommending to Kabaka Mutebi to appoint the then Chairman of the Indian Association, Mr. Rajni Tailor, as a minister. However, according to the survey results, it appears that the Asians had already chosen to work with Museveni on Buganda issues.

The survey was carried out between September 14, 2009 and November 17, 2009. It was funded by a Mr. David Kasozi.

According to the government’s official website, www.buganda.or.ug, “preparations for Buganda conference are in full gear and all signs are promising for a successful event.” The conference is to take place on December 17, 2010 and Ssabasajja is expected to appear at the occasion. The venue is Hotel Africana on Jinja Road.

This is the second Buganda national conference organiszed by the Government. The armed occupation of. Buganda by the foreigner led NRM government presents huge challenges to the organizing committe. For example, since warlord Museveni closed CBS Radio the coomittee is having a difficult time promoting in Uganda.

On the other hand, although hundreds of Baganda will in the mother land in December, and would be happy to pay even $50 to attend, the organizers do not seem to have considered this in their scheduling or promotion.  According to the statement the the government website, secretary to the organizign committee, Mr. Uthman Mulindwa, “many people are not aware of the conference because of the absence of CBS radio on air”. However, he does not indicate if the committee is trying other channels, such as  using Baganda media outlets in the Diaspora. Yet many Baganda back in the NRM occupied kingdom now get their news from relatives living outside.

Buganda Post will bring its readers any new information that becomes available on the conference. Some the Kabaka’s representatives in the Diaspora may also provide information on the conference. We will communicate where and how Baganda and friends the Diaspora can send their financial support for the Buganda Conference as soon as the information is available.

The statement from the Government website is reproduced below:

BUGANDA CONFERENCE 2009

Preparations for Buganda conference are in full gear and all signs are promising for a successful event.

The Conference is an annual event in Buganda, graced by the Kabaka of Buganda with an aim of creating a platform for debate and interactions on the Kingdom’s issues.

It is also part of the celebrations to commemorate coronation anniversary. However, due to the numerous problems witnessed by the Kingdom during the past two months, the conference could not coincide with the anniversaries and was therefore shifted to December under the theme “a Federo System of Governance for Uganda”.

According to the committee Secretary, Uthman Mulindwa, shifting the conference to December will not change its main goals and objectives.

He however cited limited publicity of the conference as one of the biggest problems encountered by the committee. He explained that this has occurred due to the break down of the communication network within the Kingdom.

Mulindwa added that many people are not aware of the conference because of the absence of CBS radio on air.

He added that due to this communication break down, the committee is incurring very high costs on advertising the conference which has necessitated for the setup of a registration fee of 25000 per participant to help in the proper planning and preparations of the conference.

The registration exercise and the sale of cards are carried out at Bulange, Mengo in the ministry of Economic planning room TF8 on 3rd floor.

The committee therefore appeals to the public to spread the gospel about the conference to other people.