On January 28, 2010, Buganda Post received several emails in connection with a portfolio of six images showing Ugandans in a demonstration. Some of the emails were simply forward the images to us to let us know that they (the images) existed. However, more were about the inscription “UN DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST MUSEVENI’S REGIME JANUARY 26, 2010 Ugandan In Diaspora International, Inc” which appeared on the images. Some of the emails accused Ugandan In Diaspora International, Inc (UIDI) of deception and dishonesty because it did not have any active role in organizing the demonstration shown in the images.
We can report that UIDI was not directly involved in organizing the “Okununula Obuganda” (”Buganda Liberation”) demonstration at the UN on January 26, 2010. The permit for the meeting, as well as all the promotion was done by Mr. Robert Kabuye and Mr. Mukasa Muwonge. The problem is that the photographer, one Mr. Muganga, put the inscription on the images to suggest that UIDI was responsible for the New York demonstration. This act by UIDI is what has attracted accusations that the young organization is engaging in deception to advance its members’ political and financial interests. The principals in UIDI include Lt. Frank Musisi, James Kabonge, Michael Muganga, James Semakula, Kawunde Miti and Fred Kambugu (Kabonge’s cousin). It is not yet clear to us if UIDI has other members.
Sources in Washington DC have confirmed to us that UIDI was started in response to the September 2009 NRM engineered election fiasco at UNAA Chicago. The organization was reportedly conceived by Kabonge around the time he wrote a scathing email to the UNAA Washington DC organizers, stating: “I am going to work to see a change in Uganda , and NRM government extension worldwide, and I ask peace and non corrupt Ugandans to join me in this mission” (see “Questions About 2010 Uganda American Conferences As UNAA Starts DC Plans”). Since its establishment late in 2009, UIDI has reportedly organized two demonstrations in Washington DC, including one on January 22, 2010.
UIDI has also been linked to the website http://www.musevenimustgo.com. The website’s main page says that it was, “launched by Ugandans in the Diaspora known as Dictator Museveni Must Go Revolution”. The website also requests visitor to donate online to what they call the Museveni Must Go Fund. It does not specifically state where the money will go. Notably, the website also subtly associates itself with the Buganda Emergency Conference, which took place in Boston on October 17, 2009. That conference was organized by Ggwangamujje Boston.
Sources have also told us that UIDI principals are working closely with Uganda politician, Dr. Olara Otunnu, and his surrogates to obtain political recognition and financial support in the USA. We could not confirm if UIDI is a restart of earlier efforts by Olara Otunnu to recruit and use prominent Baganda in America to manipulate Kabaka’s subjects (see “UPC’s Olara Otunnu Enters ‘Mukago’ With America Baganda“). The involvement of Otunnu’s people in UIDI, however, has raised the alarm again that a few individuals are trying to manipulate Baganda in the diaspora to serve foreign interests.
