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.

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

The Buganda Kingdom attorney general, Owek.  Apollo Makubuya said in a press statement yesterday that the second Buganda conference would take place on Saturday December 17, 2009. Owek. Makubuya, who chairs the organizing committee explained that the  conference would clarify the differences between Federalism, Decentralization and Regional Tier.  The theme of the conference is to promote federalism as the best form of governance for Uganda.

Decentralization is an improvised form of government which Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and Uganda’s warlord president, Yoweri Museveni, implemented in 1995, with the help of Denmark, Norway and other western countries. It was brought in to derail Buganda’s demands for a federal system (Federo). Regional Tier is a highly unpopular (in Buganda) form government which was secretly negotiated between Museveni and Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Ssemwogerere, which would have allowed Museveni to take charge of the Buganda government and for non-Baganda to assume the cultural office of Katikkiro.

When announcing the 2009 Buganda Conference, Owek. Makubuya revealed that federalists from the USA, UK and Nigeria were expected to participate in the conference. Participants are also expected from Busoga, Bunyoro, Toro, the Diaspora and academia. Owek. Makubuya suggested that Buganda is politically isolated and promised to fix the problem by making it clear that Buganda is not demanding for Federo alone.”

Two weeks ago, a retired former Buganda Government official currently visiting in North America, told us that there are three camps at Mmengo on the issue of Buganda political situation. He said: “The situation is similar to administration of Katikkiro Michael Kintu in the early 1960’s. Kintu and his supporters pushed for Buganda independence, arguing that all our neighbors secretly hated or envied Buganda and could not be honest partners in the long run. They were accused of being ‘radicals’, not accommodating and even ‘uncivilized’. Today, it is Muzei Nsubuga Nsambu in the camp which is accused of the same because he insists that Buganda must not repeat past mistakes and the solution is secession.”

The elderly grandfather continued: “Opposite to Kintu’s camp, in 1960, was a larger camp which was ‘more educated’ and liberal camp, which promoted ‘Federo for all who want it’. Mayanja Nkangi, who now helps Museveni manipulate Buganda’s lands, was one of these young firebrands and ended up becoming Katikkiro. Even today the second camp are viewed as the more educated and modern and, like 45 year ago, they are  pushing hard for ‘Federo for all who want it’.  History is repeating itself 100% except that Museveni is more sinister and dishonest than the colonialists or Obote.

“The third camp, both in 1960 and now, are those who either do not have enough information or enough courage to push for one side or another. Thanks to Buganda’s democratic traditions, all camps are expected to have their say at the Buganda Conference in December. Also expected is heavy infiltration of occupation government agents, to intimidate people and influence events.”

According to our Boston sources, Lt. Frank Musisi of the USA army told the Buganda Emergency meeting on October 17, 2009 that president Museveni is paying Buganda Post to write malicious stories about him (Musisi). Lt. Musisi was apparently referring to an October 17, 2009 posting which said that both at UNAA Chicago and a Los Angeles Baganda conference, the USA army officer had claimed that he was leading the Buganda cause in America (see “Muliika And Frank Musisi To Headline Boston Buganda Emergency Conference“). Apparently, fully aware that the Buganda Post story was accurate, Lt. Musisi never told his Boston audience what Buganda Post had written which inaccurate, let alone malicious.

On October 17, 2009, over 300 angry Baganda from Boston, New York, Washington DC, California, Kampala and many other places attended the one day conference. Several sources told us that it was nothing short of an intense indoor demonstration against Museveni’s NRM dictatorship. It must have given Deputy Katikkiro Ssendaula a real headache (see “”). By far, the phrases which attracted the most standing ovations were,”Ssabsajja awangaale” (Long live Ssabasajja [Kabaka]” “Buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo” (”every goat back to its home peg”), “Teli kuteesa!” (”No negotiations”), “Ettaka lyaffe eribe tujja kulibajjako”(”we shall reclaim the land they have stolen from us”) and “Museveni must go!”.   By all measures, the conference was very successful in proving that Baganda love their nation and Kabaka. And that most Baganda are tired of the anti-Buganda Ugandan politics.

One attendee, who requested that we do not disclose her identity, described the meeting to us in an email as follows:  ”At the beginning I got confused because I thought that this was an emergency meeting, may be to decide how to deal with Museveni land grabbing. But for the first  two hours, people were talking about Buganda history and how Federo is good for other regions too. To me it was starting to sound like a Uganda emergency conference.”

The attendee continued: “However, things changed when one light skinned gentleman called Kintu spoke about the real problems of Buganda. In my opinion, that is when the conference really started.  Mr.   Kintu asked Baganda to stop fearing independence and power. He mocked those take the attention off Buganda’s interests to support Uganda’s fake politicians, mbu because they have military or international exposure. He got the biggest applause when he said, ‘Abo bannabyabufuzi bemwesibako bali recycled, tebalina kyebayiinza kutukolera mu lutalo luno” (”All those [political figures] you are standing behind are recycles materials, they cannot do much for us in this war”).  Everyone shouted loudly when he told us to stop mincing words when discussing Buganda’s enemies, and said we must not fear to name them.  And the audience started shouting Apollo Nsibambi, Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Ssekandi.”

According to our source Mr. Abed Bwanika, who previously stood against Museveni for president also got some people excited but, unfortunately, he never clearly said what he wanted. “He said a lot of things about how Museveni and his NRM have looted Uganda and have caused Baganda to suffer, but I never heard him firmly say that he is 100% for Federo or that he is for Buganda independence. To me it was clear that Bwanika wanted our support because he is a Muganda, but what can he realistically give us back, even if he became president?”

Owek. Dan Muliika and Lt. Musisi were the main speakers, as Buganda Post had reported earlier. Our source told us that Owek. Muliika as usual never disappointed. He gave a wonderful speech and explained that Museveni has no legal power to force the current constitution of Uganda on us. The different parts like Buganda, Toro, Acholi, Lango, etc., which formed Uganda must sit together now and agree on how to go forward. They can agree on Federo or even agree on ‘buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo’. Musisi, who is very popular in Boston, excited people when he said that Museveni must go. However,  he confused some of us when he started claiming that his life was in danger because of his stand on Buganda. Without explaining, he told us that Museveni plans to kill him but that he was not afraid of going to Uganda. Then he claimed that Museveni was paying Buganda Post to publish stories about him. The problem is that, at UNAA, Musisi really claimed that he was going to lead the fight for Buganda. Now, in Watertown, he was asking us give him financial support but it was for his personal hospital in Ssese, not for Kabaka’s programs.”

In a related development, we can report that all Kabaka’s representatives in North America did not attend the Boston conference, except the Acting representive for New England, a Mr. Jane Lwanga. However, Ggwangamujje DC and Ggwangamujje NY/NJ sent strong delegations, although none of them spoke at the conference.

When asked to comment on Mr. Musisi allegations, Buganda Post’s chief moderator and editor, Omulongo Nakato, said that it would be stupid for Buganda Post and Musisi and engage in verbal battles. “We try to do everything we can to maintain unity among Baganda. Also, occasionally we might make mistakes and will admit them. However, we stand by our story that, in front of many witnesses both at UNAA Chicago and in Los Angeles, Lt. Musisi claimed leadership of Baganda in America. And he and certain supporters of his made it clear that they wanted the Boston Emergency conference to announce one Muganda to carry Buganda’s flag in the Museveni’s 2011 elections. Mr. Musisi should listen to all the promotional SMS messages for the conference. If Museveni paid Buganda Post to write lies against Musisi, then he (Musisi) should specify what we wrote which is not true.”

Despite lack of recognition and, sometimes, outright hostility from some Buganda Government officials, Abazzukulu ba Buganda are widely recognized one of the leading groups in protecting Buganda’s rights. Abazzukulu, as they are often referred to, have for more than 10 years actively argued that Buganda has been under occupation since 1962, and needs to free herself. They are responsible for exposing many anti Buganda plots by Museveni and at Mmengo. For example, in the 1990’s Abazzuklu ba Buganda led the ejection Princess Ndagire from Kasubi tombs after she was hired by Museveni to discredit Kabaka Mutebi by calling him a son of Daudi Ocheng.  Another example was in July 2004, when Abazzukulu challenged Mmengo over Shs 800m which Museveni’s government is alleged to have secretly paid to members of Katikkiro Ssemwogerere’s team to disorganize planned Baganda demonstrations for Federo.

Except for the brief period when Dan Muliika was Katikkiro, the relationship between Mmengo and Abazzukulu over the last 15 years, has been quite tense. In 2006 the group did not spare, even Muliika, when they accused him of being soft for glorifying Federo. Abazukkulu insist that Buganda has been under occupation, since 1966. Federo is a cowardly compromise that demeans what our ancestors died for and the only solution is full national independence under our Kabaka.

Below are the minutes (in Luganda) of a meeting members of Bazzkulu had with Katikkiro JB Walusimbi on August 31, 2009. This was less than two weeks before the infamous genocidal massacre of Baganda by Museveni’s NRM police and army. Throughout the meeting, Abazzukulu expressed disappointment with what they view as incompetence, corruption and anti Buganda activities at Mmengo.

ENSISINKANO Y’OLUKIIKO LWA BAZZUKULU BA BUGANDA NE KATIKKIRO OWEK J B WALUSIMBI NGA 31/08/09 

Ebikulu ebyaali mu nsisinkano eyo

Okussoka kwa byonna tukwebaza olw’omukisa okutusisinkana n’okubaganya naffe ebirowoozo ku nsoga zaffe, wadde ng’ezimu tewazinnyonyoka.  Ekituwandiisizza kwekulamba ensisinkano yaffe naawe kulw’okulondoola byetwayogerako.

Ettemu eriyinda

Olukiiko lwakulaga obweraliikirivu bw’Abaganda ku butemu obugenze mu maaso okumala ebbanga; ng’omwo mwemwaali n’okwokya abaana be Buddo.  Lwakutegeeza nti kati mu Buddu, e Kyannamukaaka, Kyesiiga, Kiziba, Mutondo ne Bisanje mwaali mutemuddwaamu abantu naddala ng’abatemu beeyita abalwanirira federo n’ettaka.  Naye gavumenti egamba nti abo babbi.  Ekyo olukiiko lwakigerageranya n’ekyokuttirimbula abaganda nga Joseph Mubiru ku mulembe gw’Amin- naye ng’akabinja akabatemulanga kaasasulirwanga gavumenti ya Nyerere.  Ate era nga mungeri y’emu abaganda abattibwa e Nankulabye mu 1964, gavumenti yakiteeka ku batamiivu.

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti okutemula abantu naddala abaana kati okudenda mu maaso kukkweekeddwa mu “kissadaaka abaana”. Kati bakugasseeko n’okubba abaana abawere mu malwaaliro mu Buganda.

Olukiiko lwakulaga nti lubuusabuusa nti ebyo sibitegeke butegesi ebigenderera okuteekesaawo etteeka eriyingirira ebyobuwangwa byaffe..  Era olukiiko lwakutegeeza nga bwekiwulirwa nti waliwo etteeka nga lyayitaako n’emungalo za Dr Nambatya nga lisuubirwa okukola ng’erya 1929 eryawera ensinza n’enzikiriza Nansangwa.

Olwebyo olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu lwakusaba okuzuukusa enkola ya Gwanga mujje eyambeko abaganda okwewa obukuumi.  Era lwakusaba okuteekawo okulondoola obutemu buno obugenda mu maaso ng’okundoola gavumenti ya Rwanda eweebwa Bungereza sente okugula ettaka lya Buganda. 

Olukiiko lwagattako n’okulondola ebitebe by’amawanga ag’ebweru agali wano ng’ekya Bungereza ne Sweden, n’ebitongole byaabyo ebyobwannakyeewa ebikolera wano.

Kyalabika nti naawe obweraliikirivu obulina naye ng’obusobozi obukola ku nsonga eyo olina butono.  Era walaga obweraliikirivu ku bavubuka abatalina mirimo abangi, abanywi bejaaye okuba nga bayinza okweyambisibwa okukola ettemu eryo.

Ku kyokuzuukusa enkola ya Gwanga Mujje wabuusabuusa obusobozi bwaayo okukola mu kibuga nga Kampala kubanga abantu beefaako bokka tebakyakolangana n’abannaabwe.  Naye walaga essuubi nti mubyaalo enkola ya Gwanga Mujje eyinza ob’olyaawo okusoboka okukola.

Olukiiko lukkiriza nti tolina busobozi bummala.  Naye era lukimanyi nti osobola okubaako ky’okola mu mbeera eno.  Twaakuwa amagezi okweyambisa ebitongole ebirwanirira eddembe ly’obuntu, n’ebyamawulire, bannaddiini n’abaganda bannakyeewa abalina obumanyirivu mu nsonga ezo.

Map ya Buganda

Olukiiko lwemulugunya ku kya Mmengo okuffulumya Map ya Buganda entongole ng’eriko amasaza 18. Nga map eyo ebulako amasaza 2 Buyaga n’eBugangaizi.

Olukiiko lwakubuuza nti nga bwetukyaali mubuwambe, bwebulikya ng’amasaza amalala nga Buluuri, Singo, ne Bugerere gatwaaliddwa ng’olwo Mmengo era effulumya Map endala eraga nti amasaza ga Buganda gali 13?

Emivuyo gy’ettaka

Olukiiko lwebuuza lwaki mmengo eyogera ku mailo 9000 zokka n’erekayo mailo 8000?

Olukiiko lwakubuulira emivuyo egikolebwa Buganda Land Board.  Lwakutegeeza nti abayeekera Kabaka abali mu BLB, bagoba abaganda ku ttaka n’ebaliwa abagwiira.  Okugeza mu Gombolola y’omukulu w’ekibuga mu Kisenyi mu Buwanika zone awaali enju y’omuwanika BLB yagobawo Abaganda abakolerawo n’ekakasa obwannanyini  bwa Gaster Mugoya  eyabba ettaka eryo ng’ayita Uganda Land Commission (ULC).

 N’e Makindye Ssaabagabo, e Buziga e Konge BLB egoba abaganda ku ttaka, eriwe mukyaala Museveni eyalibbira mu Uganda Land Commission.

Ekifaananyi abayeekera bano kyebalaga abaganda kiri nti Kabaka y’abagoba ku ttakka okuliwa abagwiira.

E Nansana abantu bajjibwaako sente 200,000/= okuwandiisa ebibanja byaabwe naye nga tebaweebwa alisiiti.  Era olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti abayeekera bano abaliira Kabaka munda bagendera mu motoka za BLB okugoba abantu ku ttaka n’okumenya enyumba zaabwe nga bwekyaali eBusaabala.

Olukiiko lwakubuuza lwaki ovumaganya Ssabasajja n’okumukyayisa abantu be  ng’oyita mu Kitongole kya Buganda Land Board.

Kunsonga ezo watuddamu nti;

Ekyogeza ku mailo akenda kokka n’ebalekayo eddala kiri nti mailo akanaana kali mi mikono gy’abaganda.

Ku kya Buganda Land Board watutegeeza nti eno BLB eriwo kati teringa eri eyaliwo eya 1962-66.  Eno evunaanyizibwa ku lusuku lwa Kabaka olwa mailo 350 lwokka.  N’olwekyo nti Buganda Land Board (BLB) teri mu buyinza bwo.  Nti Kabaka yagifuya butereevu.

Watutegeeza nti ebyo naawe wali obiraba era obiwulira.  Naye obuyinza bwo butono ku BLB.  Wabula watugamba nti abo betwaayita abayeekera bwetubasanganga aga balya enguzi oba ngabakola emivyo egyo tubakkwaate tubakuleetere, nti ojja kutandikira awo-okubakolako.

Olwa 24/May/1966

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti lumaze emyaaka kuminagumu nga lutegeka omukolo gw’okujjukira olunaku lwa 24/ May/ 1966 Buganda lweyawambibwa Uganda.  Olukiiko lwakujjukiza nti nga 21/may/2009 lwakusisinkana n’erukusaba olunaku olwo olwa 24 May lutongozebwa.  Nti era lwakikola mu buwandiike nga bwewalusaba.  Olukiiko lwayagala okumanya ensonga eyo weyimiridde.

Okuboolebwa

Olukiiko lwakutunuza mu nsonga yaalwo ey’okuboolebwa ku mikutu gyamawulire, newankubadde ng’ebibiina n’abantu bonna bakkirizibwa okuwa endowooza zaabwe eri abantu.

Emikutu olukiiko gyerugezaako okuyisa endowooza yalwo, abakozi baayo abakiiriza Abazzukulu bagobebwa ku mirimo.  Ebyokulabirako ye Nsereko Basajja Mituba (WBS), ne Sempala (Sapiensa).

Olukiiko lwakulopera nti ate yo ku CBS “Radio Yaffe” ekintu kyonna eky’olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu tekisobokera ddala kuyita ku mpewo.  Nti n’ebirango by’olukiiko  ebisasulire nabyo byaali tebikirizibwa emirundi egisinga.

Mu kuddamu ensonga zino watutegeeza nti ensonga ya 24-May ebbaluwa yaffe wagifuna.  Nti era wali ogenda kugitwaala mu Cabinet mugiteeseeko era olwa 24-May luteekebwe ku calendar lujjukirwe nga Abaganda mu butongole.

Ku ky’okuboolebwa CBS olukiiko walusuubiza nti ogenda kwogera n’abagivunaanyizibwaako olabe nti tuweebwa omukisa ng’abalala.

Eby’okukola oluvanyuma lw’okummibwa Federo

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti Buganda kyeyeetaaga kati bwetwaaze, kubanga ne Federo nabwo buffuge.

Olukiiko lwakutegeeza nti Buganda kati erina ebizibu bibiri byokka – ebisinga obukulu. Nti ebizibu ebyo bwe bigyibwaawo, ebirala byonna byekolako byokka.

Ekizibu ekisooka Buganda kyerina ye ffe Abaganda abaliwo kati.  Omuzungu bweyajja wano yakozesa eddiini n’obuyigirize n’agootaanya ebirowoozo n’okutegeera kwaffe, nga kati wetwaatuuka tetukyasobola kumanya nti Buganda ne Uganda Chemistry w’abyo wanjawulo nnyo n’olwekyo tebisobola kutambulira wamu wadde okugattibwa.

Buli bwetugezaako okubisisinkanya wabeerawo okubwaatuka.  Kino kiri bwekiti kubanga Buganda lyo Gwanga tonde butonzi ng’eyalitonda yaliteerawo obutonde/obulombolombo bwalyo mweritambulira.  Ate yo Uganda yateekebwaawo bantu buntu-ng’etambulira ku kupangapanga na kuffumbirira kwa kiryammere.

N’olwekyo eky’obutonde n’ekyobulyammere tebiyinza kugattibwa wamu n’ewatabeerawo buzibu.  N’omutonzi tasobola kukikkiriza, naddala bwekiba nti ekyekiryammere ate kyekigenda okuffuga eky’obutonde!!! 

Kyova olaba nga kati Abaganda bangi nnyo batuuka n’okulowooza nti awatali Uganda, Buganda tesobola kubeerawo.

Ky’ova olaba nti kati eby’eBuganda tuffunvubira buli kimu kukigonjoolera mu  byabufuzi n’abafuzi ba Uganda n’ewankubadde nga buli lwe tugezezaako tekisobose wabula  tukifunyeemu kutabulwa na kusoberwa!!!

Ky’ova olaba ng’Abaganda balowooza nti Kabaka ne Pulezidenti bafaanana/ benkana.  N’olwekyo pulezidenti bwaakola ebibye ne Kabaka bwateekwa okubikola.

Ky’ova olaba nga kati Abaganda banji balowooza nti nga pulezidenti bwakulakulanya ensi gy’afuga, ne Kabaka bwakulakulanya Buganda.  N’owulira ng’omuganda agamba nti “Ssabasajja Kabaka awangaale – akulakulanye obuganda.”

Enjogera eno ewulikika ng’entuufu naye evaamu ebizibu binji nnyo nyo byetutayinza kumenya netubimalayo.

Ekyokukolera ekizibu kino kifaananira ddala nga Martin Luther King ne munne Malkom X kyebaakolera baddugavu bannaabwe kyebaayitanga “Black Consciousness Movement” olw’okujja abaddugavu mu buddu mwe baali bamaze emyaaka eminji ennyo.

Naffe wano Abaganda, olw’obuddu omuzungu bweyatuteekamu emyaaka minjiko egiyise, okutegeera n’okukiriza kwaffe byasuulibwa mu bunnya n’etufuuka abatakyaalina bwesige mu Nyaffe Buganda netufuuka abatakyasobola kumulwanirira, kumukolerera nga bajjajjaffe bwebaakola. 

Nolwekyo waliwo obwetaavu bw’okuteekawo Buganda Consciousness Movement.

Olukiiko lwagenda mumaaso nerukulaga nti ekizibu ekyokubiri Buganda kyerimu bwe Bufuge.

Buli bufuge w’ebubeera bufuuka obuddu.  Obuganda obufuge bwe kika kya Federo bweyamalamu ebbanga bwagifuula OMUDDU- wa Uganda.

Ky’ova olaba nga tetulina ddembe ly’akwerowooleza na kwesalirawo – kubanga omuddu teyeelowooleza era yeyeesalirawo!!!

Ky’ova olaba nga tetulina ddembe lyakubeera na byaffe nga n’okututta webaagalira we batuttira newatabeerawo n’avunaana kubanga omuddu tabeera na dembe lyakubeera na bibye nga n’obulamubwe buba bwa mukama we.  Ne bwamutta, tewaba avunaana.

Ky’ova olaba nti ettaka lyaffe twerwanako bwerwanyi nga buli ayagala y’atwaala.

Tuteekwa buteekwa okulwanyisa okuffege/obuddu obwa buli kika, nga ne Federo mweri kuba nakyo kika kya Bufuge obuzaala obuddu.

Buli bwetwogera ku Federo tukimanye nti tuba twogera ku kika kya Bufuge/ Buddu kubanga tuba twettanira waggulu wa Buganda kuteekayo Uganda  ne waggulu wa Kabaka kuteekayo pulezidenti!!

Ky’ova olaba nti n’ewankubadde mu 1966 Buganda yali ekutte “full Federo” mu ngalo, Uganda yatukuba netugwa ku taka kwetukyalemeddwa okuva!!

Federo teyatuyamba kubanga mu Federo newankubadde twesigaliza “Obuyinza” obusinga naye baatusuula ku taka kubanga akusinga akukubisa gw’okutte!!

Ate era Owekitiibwa, amajolobera ge tuteeka ku federo si gaayo kubanga Federo emyaka ena gyetwamala nayo (ng’omuzungu agenze) tewali kyetwagikolamu kubanga emyaka ena twagimala amazzi tuffuuwako mafuuwe nga Gavumenti ya Uganda etukuumira ku bunkenke!!

Wabula tusaanye okujjukira nti obufuge/obuddu twabuyingira mu 1962 olwendagaano gyetwaakola nga tuli n’Amawanga amalala 14 olwensonga zino wammanga.:

1. Okutondawo ensi Uganda
2. Okutondawo gavumenti ey’okufuganga ensi Uganda
3. Olwokugatta amawanga 15 agagikola
4. Okuteeka amawanga 15 wansi w’obufuge/obuddu bwa Gavumenti ya Uganda.
5. Olwa Buganda  okupangisa gavumenti ya Uganda ettaka lye Kampala ne Entebe, gavumenti ya Uganda ekolereko emirimo gyaayo.

Wabula mu 1966 gavumenti ya Uganda yatema ettabi kweyali etudde bweyamenyawo endagaano gyetwogerako ne kiba nga kyategeeza era kikyategeeza nti byonna endagaano byeyali eteekawo byavaawo kubanga tebiyinza kusigalawo ng’endagaano eyabitondawo tekyaaliiwo.

N’olwekyo Owekitiibwa Katikiro, okumenyebwaawo kw’Endagaano eyo bwe Buwonero bwa Buganda kubanga kati Buganda terina ndagaano na muntu yenna.  N’olwekyo tewali ateekwa kudduumira Buganda wadde okugisongamu olunwe.

N’olwekyo kati Buganda ya dembe okwefuga yokka.  Kyeturina okukola nga Buganda  kwekuwawabira bannakigwanyizi abalemera ku ky’okufuga Buganda obuddu mu kooti y’e kibiina kyamawanga amagatte [UNO].

Owekitiibwa, wakiriziganya n’olukiiko ku kyokutwaala ensonga za Buganda mu kooti yensi yonna- mu kibiina ky’Amawanga amagatte.

Okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka

Mukukubaganya ebirowoozo  naawe olukiiko lwasanga lulina obwetaavu okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka, naye lusobole okumwanjulira ensonga ezo.  Nerukusaba olusobozese okusisinkana Ssabasajja Kabaka.  Owekitibwa watusuubiza okutukolera entegeka ku nsonga eyo.

Ekyaapa kya Bulange

Twaffundikira ne nsonga y’ekyapa kya Bulange. Ku nsonga eyo watunnyonyola nti ekyaapa kya Bulange kyayawuzibwaamu ebitundu bisatu.  Ekimu kwekuttudde Bulange, ekirala kwekuli oluggya lwa Bulange.  Ekyokusaatu kwekutudde ekizimbe Amin kyeyazimbako (Bulange Plaza).  Watulaga nti mwagala kufuula kizimbe kya Bulange plaza kizimbe kyabusuubuzi ekyawule ku Bulange.  Era watutegeeza nti ekyaapa ekikadde kyabula.  Nti kati kyemulina kya 1993.

Olukiiko lwebuuza ekyayawuzaamu ekyaapa ekyo emirundi esatu.  Olukiiko lwewunnya ekyayawuza ekyaapa ky’oluggya lwa Bulange okukigya ku kizimbe – Bulange kyennyini.

Olukiiko terwakiriziganya naawe ku nsonga y’akuzimba kizimbe kyabusuubuzi nga kirinaanye Bulange.  Netukusaba nti bwekiba nti ekizimbe ekyo mwagala kukimaliriza wadde nga tekyaali ku plan ya Bulange, bwekiba kizimbiddwa kireme kubeera kya busubuzi, zibeere office za Bulange.

Katikiro tewakaanya naffe kunsonga eyo.  Era naffe tetwakkaanya nanteekateeka yakukutula ku Bulange kifo kyonna kukifuula kintu kirala kyonna ekikendeeza ekitibwa ky’ekitebe ky’obwakabaka bwa Buganda.

Olukiiko lwakulaga obweraliikirivu bwerulina eri olukwe lw’abalabe ba Buganda olw’okusaanyaawo buli Kintu kyonna ekiraga nti waaliwo kko eggwanga erjyjtibwa Buganda eryefuga likirimegga eryekitiibwa etutumufu. Olukwe olwo olutera okukweekebwa mu nkulakulana po namakubo g’okuyingiriza obwakabaka sente luluubirira nadala kusaanyawo olubiri lw’eMmengo, Amasiro naddala ag’eKasubi, Bulange n’obutaka bw’eBika.

Olukiiko lwatuuka ku nkomerero, era nerugalwaawo. Olw’okulamba ensisinkano eno ku lw’okugoberera ebyakkaanyizibwako tukusaba Ssebo owekitibwa Katikkiro okirize otuteereko omukono wamanga wan

Katikkiro                                                          Ssentebe

………………………..                                             ……………………………

J.B Walusimbi                                                   Mubiru Njuki ku lwa Ssentebe
                                                                        Olukiiko Lw’Abazukulu Ba Buganda

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 radical Baganda nationalist organization has warned president Museveni of Uganda about his plans to force Kabaka Mutebi of Buganda to meet him (Museveni).

According to a statement issued by Asumani Balwaana Kaama, the spokesman for Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje, “Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the 36th Kabaka of the Buganda nation, is the symbol of our being, our culture and our pride. He is however NOT our servant or spokesperson and CANNOT negotiate anything on Obuganda’s behalf. The religious leaders who are supposed to be in the Kabaka’s entourage are also neither honorable nor competent to represent Obuganda. They are not authorized to represent or speak for Buganda’s interests at this meeting.”

The Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje statement is reproduced below:

WARNING TO DICTATOR MUSEVENI ABOUT SSAABASAJJA
“NO ONE SPEAKS IN BUGANDA’S NAME WITHOUT THE DIRECT AUTHORITY FROM OBUGANDA”

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to express and as well convey its profound and heartfelt sympathies to families that lost loved ones, Obuganda and all Ugandans during the September 09 public demonstrations in Kampala.

We acknowledge that Buganda is presently under occupation, just like Northern Uganda has been over the past 20 years. However, Dictator Museveni and his henchmen will be held personally responsible for these crimes against humanity at an appropriate time in the near future.

In a futile and cowardly show of strength, Dictator Museveni is forcing a meeting with His Majesty, Ssaabasajja the Kabaka of Buganda in an effort to claim some bizarre dark victory in the current standoff.

Dictator Museveni is praying and hoping on forcing concessions that will be of detriment to the Kingdom of Buganda from His Majesty the Kabaka.

In the absence of CBS Radio, and in an environment dominated by pro NRMO media, the Dictator wants to use the occasion of the face to face meeting to make some kind of rapprochements on dense ideas such the Regional Tier and other nonsensical projects like the Land Bill, Extension of Kampala, an Elected Katikkiro, the Creation of Saaba… this and Saaba… that, within Buganda.

Thereafter, the Dictator will want to claim that the Kabaka will work directly under his orders from now on.

Warning to the Dictator

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to warn Dictator Yosweri Tibahurwa, Kayibanda Museveni, that if he goes ahead with this futile meeting, the Obuganda will not accept or be bound by whatever agreements he will come up with.

His Majesty, Ssaabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the 36th Kabaka of the Buganda nation, is the symbol of our being, our culture and our pride. He is however NOT our servant or spokesperson and CANNOT negotiate anything on Obuganda’s behalf. The religious leaders who are supposed to be in the Kabaka’s entourage are also neither honourable nor competent to represent Obuganda. They are not authorised to represent or speak for Buganda’s interests at this meeting.

Obuganda will therefore not recognise or accept whatever concoction this meeting might achieve.

Any further attempts by Dictator Museveni to compromise or denigrate Ssaabasajja Kabaka or the institution he represents will result in a quick and effective uprising never seen before in the Great Lakes region which will finally rid Uganda of a Dictator with questionable and poor breeding.

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to graciously and humbly remind Ssaabasajja Kabaka Mutebi to ensure that he does NOT smile or shake hands with Dictator Museveni , or sit anywhere within 5 feet from him, EVER.

We know for a fact that Dictator Museveni‘s intention is to bewitch His Majesty, Ssaabasajja Kabaka and take his influence and powers so that he can rule Uganda forever. Dictator Museveni obtained Juju (fetishes) from Cameroon which required him to sacrifice at least 50 adolescent virgins (school fires, Buddo etc) and the final act of this ritual is a face to face meet with Ssaabasajja Kabaka and shake his hand. That is why Dictator Museveni has been so pissed off and lamenting about the Ssaabasajja not taking his calls for over two years.

If His Majesty the Kabaka decides to meet the Dictator, whatever takes place must not compromise the dignity or undermine Ssaabasajja’s authority among his subjects.

AWANGALE SSAABASAJJA

Asumani Balwaana Kaama

Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje

The Serumaga family has published a statement which describes in detail the events surrounding the abduction, torture and medical mistreatment of  popular Muganda journalist, Kalundi Serumaga, by Uganda’s  NRM government from September 11 through 15, 2009. According to the family statement, Robert Kalundi Serumaga was abducted by 5 armed men outside the studios of WBS TV, Spear House at about 11pm on Friday September 11, 2009. Robert had just left the studios where he had appeared on the Kibazo live discussion program. He was accompanied by his colleagues.

As they departed, Robert  was approached by the men, two of whom grabbed him by his trouser belt, and told him they were arresting him. He asked them who they were and they claimed to be responded police officers. One held up a piece of paper purposely to support their claim. They then immediately began to assault him.  Robert put up a fight until they threw him to the ground, after which they threw his telephones towards his colleagues.

Apparently, Robert fell unconscious thereafter and was dragged from the scene to De Winton Road where his attackers  bundled him in to the back seat of a waiting Toyota Mark II. He regained consciousness in the car as the men tried to undress him and remove things from his pockets.  The trip ended at the infamous Kireka JATT torture center where, next day, he was repeatedly slapped and punched by president Museveni’s operatives during questioning. In the meantime, Robert’s brother, Kizito Sserumaga searched all Police Stations in Kampala to no avail.

Kizito contacted the Irish Embassy for assistance, as Robert is a citizen of Ireland by birth. A concerted effort by the Serumaga family, involving the Irish ambassador to Uganda, TV stations and the Uganda Journalists Association, plus increasing awareness of the kidnap in the international media, convinced Mr. Museveni to produce Robert Serumaga. He was produced by the notorious CID officer, Jonah Kule on September 12, 2009. However, despite the sorry state of his health, Robert was put in a cell that day, without medical attention, where he was again physically assaulted.

Robert first got treatment on September 13, 2009, when the Police doctor, Dr Moses Byaruhanga, arrived took him to the International Medical Centre at KPC, under heavy guard. Later the Rwandese commander of Uganda police, Kale Kayihura, allowed Serumaga to be moved to Kampala International Hospital as the family wished. Earlier, Dr. Byaruhanga had insisted that Robert must only be admitted in the government’s dilapidated Mulago Hospital, where NRM opponents have been reportedly murdered by Mr. Museveni’s agents.

Contravening Mr. Museveni’s Uganda constitutional requirement that suspects be charged in court within 48 hours, Robert was produced at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court on September 15, 2009. He was charged with 6 counts of sedition resulting from his remarks during the Kibazo program on WBS TV. He was granted bail and release shortly afterwards.

The Serumaga family also reveals that they took a photo (by cell phone) of one of Robert’s torturers when, at the International Medical Center when one of  Robert’s colleagues recognized him as one his original kidnappers. It a bizarre twist, after learning that someone in the Serumaga party had taken the photo, the police brought their video unit and filmed Serumaga and all his family and friends, in an apparent act of intimidation. The Serumaga family showed the torturer’s police commander Kale Kayihura explained that the man in question had, at the JATT torture center, inserted his thumbs and fingers in Robert’s eyes and attempted to gouge them out. He claimed not to know the man in the photo but said that he will be able to produce him if he is on the police force.

Below is a summary of specific demands that the Serumaga family statement concludes with (see more details):

1. They will not participate in investigations in the torture of Robert by the NRM government and its agents unless INTERPOL is involved.

2. They are unwilling for Robert to return to CPS or any other police station while suspected criminal elements are still employed and deployed there.

3.  They demand disciplinary action is taken against Mr Edward Ochom, of CID for attempting to send Robert to Mulago, which could compromise his safety.

4. They demand that disciplinary action is taken against the police’s Dr Moses Byaruhanga for unprofessional conduct.

5. They demand the investigation of the plainclothes policeman who filmed Robert’s children at Kibuli Police Station on September 15, 2009 and those who threatened Robert’s family on and September 12-13 outside CPS.

6. They demand the investigation of Simon Kuteesa’s role in the abduction and torture of Kalundi Robert Sserumaga.

7. They demand the immediate suspension and investigation of CID’s  Jonah Kule who was seen in deep conversation with the perpetrator who was photographed by the family.

The Serumaga family statement on the unlawful abduction and torture of their brother, son and father Robert, which they posted on the Ugandans At Heart blog is reproduced in full below:

RE: THE UNLAWFUL ARREST, TORTURE AND DETENTION OF KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA ON FRIDAY 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009 UNTIL TUESDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

ABDUCTON

1. KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA WAS ABDUCTED BY 5 armed men outside the studios of WBS television, Spear House at about 11pm on Friday 11^th September 2009. Robert had just left the studios where he had appeared on Kibazo on Friday, a discussion programme.

2. He was in the company of Kibazo, Bernard Tabaire, Charles Rwomushana and Mary Ikazi. The men approached him as their group broke up.

3. As they departed, Mr Sserumaga was approached by the men, two of whom took hold of him by the belt, and told him they were arresting him. He asked them who they were to which one responded police. He held up a piece of paper which may or may not have been an identity card, as he looked away. They then immediately began to assault him.

4. Mr Sserumaga put up a fight until they threw him to the ground. After that he threw his telephones towards his colleagues.

5. He then fell unconscious and was dragged from the scene to De Winton Road and was bundled in to the back seat of a waiting Toyota Mark II. He regained consciousness in the car as the men tried to undress him and remove things from his pockets. When he started demanding to taken to a police station, one of the men tried to cover his mouth, and another fight ensued. As he fought to resist them they punched him and gouged at his eyes with their fingers, and also bent his head backwards and choked him.

JATT/KIREKA 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

1. He was driven to Kireka and logged in to a book and put in a cell with 25 other men, mainly youth.

2. In the morning, a procession of guards came to the cell door and made all manner of threats to his life, and make sectarian insults to him, as well as the other prisoners. Finally the doors flew open and a tall well-built and well-dressed man in his mid-forties stood in the doorway and began to slap and punch him in the face while demanding answers.

3. This statement is supported by the medical examination carried out by Dr M. Galukande at International Medical Centre, KPC building on 13^th and International Hospital, Kisugu between 13^th and 15^th September 2009.

4. Kizito Sserumaga searched all Police Stations in Kampala from that time to 3 am to no avail.

CENTRAL POLICE STATION 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

1. Kizito contacted the Irish Embassy as Robert is a citizen of Ireland by birth. We went to Central Police Station (CPS) where we were told he was not there and his whereabouts were unknown. We made a public appeal via NTV outside CPS and we were surrounded by 5 armed soldiers in red berets and two plainclothes men. We immediately made another appeal at a Press Conference organized by UJA. During that conference, the Irish Embassy informed us Robert was being transported to CPS after which we went back to CPS. We found Kalundi Robert Sserumaga in the custody of Jonah Kule, O/C CID, at CPS. He was being held handcuffed with two other gentlemen, both Local Councillors from Makindye Division area. They had been tricked out of their houses at night on the pretext that there was a disturbance in the area, and then bundled in to a van at gunpoint and taken to Kireka.

2. We immediately asked that Robert be allowed medical attention. Kule insisted on waiting from instructions but that we would be able to do so. Later we were informed Robert was going to be released after i). WBS deposited a film of the Kibazo on Friday broadcast with CPS, ii) that Robert make 2 supplementary statements and iii). that he provide 3 sureties. These conditions were met. After the process of providing the sureties, Kule suddenly ordered us all out of the room, including Ernest Kalibbala the lawyer and then informed Robert that he had orders from above to return him to the cells.

3. We escorted Robert to the ground floor. After that the police physically pushed us out of the station entrance and down the stairs while brandishing sticks. Those of us already outside were threatened by the armed soldiers seated along the wall, numbering over ten and the man in plain clothes from earlier who was carrying a stick.

4. 13^th SEPTEMBER 2009 We returned to CPS where Robert was now without shoes and had still not received medical attention. He had tried to inform a woman officer -one Commissioner Ayisu- in CID that he had been assaulted at which she laughed and said it was impossible. Mr Simon Kuteesa, Head of Media crimes informed us that he does not put people in car boots. He received a telephone call in our presence and said in our hearing that the prisoner ‘did not look too bad’. The entire time, there were two mambas, outside the station, countless men in plainclothes carrying sticks and whips, people in police uniform carrying sticks.

5. In the afternoon, we telephoned John Nagenda, Media Adviser to the President. We informed him that the story had broken in the international media and that we were going to continue to campaign for Robert’s release. Mr Nagenda was at that point was aware of the abduction but not of the torture. He arranged for us to meet Major General Kale Kayihura, Inspector General of Police. Mr Kayihura informed us the Irish ambassador had spoken to him and asked us what we wanted. We said our first priority was medical attention for Robert. Secondly we were formally complaining about being physically assaulted and ejected from CPS. Mr Kayihura telephoned Mr Ochom, Director CID, CPS and instructed him to have Robert examined at a hospital of our choice and admitted at a hospital of our choice if necessary. IGP Kayihura also telephoned Mr Sorowen the officer in charge of CPS and instructed him to ensure there was no humiliation of suspects and their relatives and the public generally. IGP summoned Mr Ochom and instructed him to implement everything agreed in that meeting and to ensure Robert was taken to a hospital of his choice immediately. He called in on Johnson Karugaba of the Professional Standards Unit to investigate our complaints. We then returned to CPS.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

1. After the Police Surgeon, Dr Moses Byaruhanga arrived, we traveled to International Medical Centre at KPC, under guard. There was an attempt to make Robert travel without shoes in order to humiliate him which we resisted. The armed and uniformed policemen sitting on the back of the pick-up truck and the plainclothes policemen became angry and said they would teach M. Serumaga a lesson (‘Tujja kukulaga enkola’.)

2. Dr Moses Galukande carried out the examination and the results are consistent with Robert’s description of the assault. He diagnosed concussion as Robert could not account for some time between the first onslaught and being bundled in to the car. He recommended observation, neurological tests and rest. Immediately Dr Byaruhanga stated that he had to be referred to Mulago Hospital. He said it was the law and that Mulago was ‘the national referral hospital’. When he insisted, Mary Serumaga tried but failed to telephone IGP, Kale Kayihura. She then telephoned Mr J. Nagenda who spoke to Dr Byaruhanga and told him there was no problem with admitting Robert at International Hospital Kampala as long as he was under guard. He said Government’s only reservation was that we should not expect them to pay the bills, which we accepted. Dr Byaruhanga still insisted that he needed to speak to Mr Ochom, Director CID. We refused to board the vehicles to be taken to Mulago Hospital, a government institution which we felt to be unsafe. Robert stated if they insisted on Mulago, he would prefer to retun to the CPS cells without any treatment. After nearly an hour Mr Ochom relented and allowed us to go to IHK.

3. 13^th September 2009 Robert was admitted at IHK at approximately, nearly 48 hours after he had been very seriously assaulted.

4. Dr Galukande diagnosed concussion and recommended neurological tests. We returned to CPS to collect Robert’s bags. Again, Kule introduced another condition. He wanted, Robert to sign a charge sheet before going to hospital. He also wanted his passport. We ignored both instructions as 48 hours had elapsed and the police were merely trying to legitimize their abduction of Robert Sserumaga. Eventually Kule gave in and we proceeded to IHK.

5. Robert was admitted to IHK at about 8.30pm where he underwent tests and had some bed-rest. He was escorted by over 5 armed soldiers to Kampala Hospital for a CT scan.

FORMAL CHARGES

1. Tuesday 15^th 2009 we were informed that Robert would be collected from the hospital at 10am to go to the Police for finger-printing and formal charging. Robert refused at first to co-operate because he wanted it to be acknowledged that he was being charged after 48 hours of detention had elapsed, i.e. he had been being held illegally.

2. Robert was produced at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court and charged with 6 counts of sedition resulting from his remarks on Kibazo. The State opposed bail and was overruled by the Magistrate on the grounds that even if Robert were a flight risk, that could be cured by his depositing his passport with the Court. Also that because the validity of the sedition laws was being challenged in the Constitutional Court and it was not possible to try Robert immediately, he would grant bail.

3. We reported to IGP’s office that we were surrounded by ‘security operatives’ outside the court building eavesdropping on our conversations and stated we were holding IGP responsible for our continued security, and left the Court.

LEGAL AND MEDICAL COSTS AND SOLIDARITY

1. We would like to express our gratitude to the members of our communities and the public for your overwhelming support. The journalism profession has been a pillar of strength and has boosted our morale with their presence and their coverage.

2. We are grateful to Open Society, Uganda Journalists’ Association, and East African Journalists’ Association all of whom have offered to pay Kalundi Robert Sserumaga’s legal costs. We are grateful for the fact that his medical costs were covered in advance and without our knowledge. P. E. N. International Clifford Derrick Committee to Protect Journalists (S. Africa) have also expressed solidarity.

INVESTIGATION IN TO THE ABDUCTION AND TORTURE

1. During the time we were waiting for Dr Galukande’s report at IM Centre, Mary Ikazi spotted a man in a lavender jacket, white cap and dark glasses. He was carrying a long thin stick or car, that were commonly used by kiboko squad members during the rioting. He was short in stature, about 5ft tall. He was peeping through the window of IMC where he had been sitting with O/C CID, J. Kule. M. Ikazi froze and told us that he was one of the men who had abducted and assaulted Robert. Mary Serumaga photographed him with a cell phone. The plainclothes policemen with whom he was standing warned him that he was being photographed at which he covered his face with his lapels, turned his back and then they all scattered. One policeman returned and took photographs of M. Serumaga and M. Ikazi. [The following Tuesday at Kibuli Police Station they filmed M. Serumaga and made close-up films of Robert's children in our view. This was an act of intimidation.]

2. 14 September 2009 at about 5.30pm we spoke to IGP Kayihura about the police brutality experienced by Robert Sserumaga. We thanked him for finally permitting the delayed medical treatment even though it required the intervention of the Ambassador of Ireland and other lovers of justice and peace before he acted. We showed him the photograph of the man who had inserted his thumbs and fingers in Robert’s eyes and attempted to gouge them out. We informed him the man had followed us to the International Medical Centre and only ran away after we had photographed him. IGP stated he did not know the man but he would investigate. At first he said he and all those in plain clothes carrying sticks were policemen, if so, he is able to produce this man.

3. We informed IGP that his instructions about the medical facility Robert should be allowed to access were countermanded by Dr M. Byaruhanga the Police Surgeon and Mr Ochom, Director CID at CPS. They preferred to discuss the matter with persons unknown to us. He seemed to express shock that such clear instructions could be changed.

4. We requested Interpol be asked to help locate the abductors, to which IGP responded he has no objection although he would prefer we work with Uganda Police in the matter. He assigned Assistant IGP, Mr J.M. Okoth Ochola, in charge of Special Duties to investigate the matter. We agreed with Mr Okoth Ochola that we would contact him after the court appearance.

5. 15^th September 2009, the same woman officer at CID who had refused to record Robert’s complaint of torture, telephoned him as he left court inviting him to make a statement.

THE WAY FORWARD

1. In view of the fact that the orders of Major General Kale Kayihura IGP are so easily countermanded by officers junior to him, receiving ‘orders from above’; that one of the offending officers (see paragraph 13 ) is now assigned to the investigating team; two officers Kule and Ayisu, have already dismissed the reports of assault as “impossible”, we decline to participate in the investigation unless Interpol is involved.

2. In any case we are unwilling for Robert to return to CPS or any other police station while suspected criminal elements are still employed and deployed there.

3. We demand disciplinary action is taken against Mr Edward Ochom, Director of CID at CPS for trying to ensure Robert was sent to Mulago where his safety would have been compromised. We demand to know from where above Kale Kayihura’s head, Mr Ochom was receiving instructions. As Director of CID at CPS where the kiboko squad move about freely and interact with senior officers and have meals in the police canteen, we hold Ochom responsible for the deployment of the kiboko squad to abduct, detain and torture Kalundi Robert Sserumaga.

4. We demand the same in regard to Dr Moses Byaruhanga who kept us at IM Centre for over 30 minutes while liaising on the telephone about sending Robert to Mulago. Although he was supposed to carry out his own examination, he did not and it appears his role was to ensure Robert was admitted to Mulago Hospital. He failed in that.

5. We demand the investigation of the plainclothes policeman who filmed Robert’s children at Kibuli Police Station on 15^th September 2009 and those who threatened Robert’s family on 12^th and 13 September outside CPS.

6. We demand the investigation of Simon Kuteesa’s role in the abduction and torture of Kalundi Robert Sserumaga. Kuteesa was instrumental in convincing us on 13^th September that Robert was going to be released for medical treatment in a few hours as long as he had three sureties and a passport. He then vanished at about 10pm before Kule said he had ‘orders from above’ to detain him further. Kuteesa has consistently acted in an unprofessional manner treating our complaints about torture as a joke. He too receives anonymous ‘orders from above’ and made a ‘phonecall assuring someone that Robert was not too badly injured even though he had no medical evidence. Simon Kuteesa is a callous and dangerous man.

7. We demand the immediate suspension and investigation of O/C CID, Jonah Kule who was seen in deep conversation with the perpetrator we managed to photograph outside IM Centre during Robert’s medical examination, Kule is in direct command of the kiboko squad and is a danger to all Ugandans.

0782199589

The End.

On September 11, 2009, the United States Department of State issued a statement, warning U.S. citizens about traveling to Uganda. The statement casually refers to Buganda as “a vestige of a pre-modern kingdom located in central Uganda, inclusive of Kampala”. This attitude is remarkably similar to the one that the American and several European embassies in Rwanda had towards the Tutsi rebels months before the 1994 genocide.

The U. S. State Department statement is shown in full below:

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the violent demonstrations stemming from political friction between the central government and the authorities of Buganda, which is a vestige of a pre-modern kingdom located in central Uganda, inclusive of Kampala.  This Travel Alert expires on November 10, 2009.

As a result of these demonstrations, travel within the downtown central business district of Kampala and surrounding areas is severely restricted, and U.S. citizens should be aware that spontaneous demonstrations can occur without notice.  This potential for violent demonstrations will remain throughout the weekend of September 12-13, and may extend into the following week.

The Kampala-Entebbe road that connects the Entebbe International Airport and Kampala was closed several times on September 10, and some roads leading north from Kampala were sporadically closed.  These sporadic closures are expected to continue to occur through the weekend, and perhaps beyond.  This means travel to and from the airport may be severely restricted and may cause lengthy delays.  U.S. citizens planning to travel out of Entebbe International Airport should be sure to give themselves at least four (4) hours to get to the airport from Kampala.

U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn unexpectedly violent.  U.S. citizens in Uganda should remain aware of their surroundings, monitor and assess their own security situations at all times, and avoid large public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to report unusual events or activities to the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission in Uganda at (256) (0) (414) 259 791 or (256) (0) (414) 306 001.  In the case of an emergency outside business hours, or during any suspension of public services, U.S. citizens may reach the U.S. Mission duty officer at the same numbers.

For the latest security information, citizens living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at: http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays).

U.S. citizens are advised to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Mission in Kampala.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road.  The phone number is (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791, fax (256) (0) (414) 258 451, email: KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov, and U.S. Embassy Kampala website: http://kampala.usembassy.gov.