Zakaria Kakumba

Nyendo – Masaka, Buddu

Luganda (Original)

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

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

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

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

Ssabasajja Awangaale.

Notes and English Translations By Buganda Post Writers

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

English

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

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

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

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

Ssabasajja Awangaale.

In June 2008 I asked one of Buganda’s best strategic thinkers today the following question: “Given how things work with African, how can Buganda be taken seriously when it does not have an army?”. He gave me a reply that left me with mixed feelings of confusion and curiosity. He said, “You are mistaken. Buganda has an army, more disciplined and ready than Museveni’s UPDF or presidential guard (PGB). They are trained, they understand Buganda’s enemies from the inside and they are angry. The only missing piece is a serious Katikkiro to show them direction.”

After three months of investigation, it appears that former professor’s analysis was right on the money.  Actually a huge majority of Baganda in Museveni’s UPDF can convert to Buganda Defense Forces (BDF) overnight without much persuasion. Because the UPDF is not a professional army, the Baganda in it have received some of the best training but face excessive discrimination and most of them, like other Baganda youths, are very loyal to Kabaka. They are frustrated and, when Museveni’s system starts crumbling, they are willing to fight for a new order where Buganda is free to decide her future. And, after the Museveni nightmare, they are unwilling to follow the leadership of another smooth talking non-Muganda commander. Besigye is seen as no different than Museveni.

Probably the most educative source of information during my investigation was the series of interviews that I had with an active senior Muganda UPDF officer and close family friend. He explained that the UPDF is not a professional army, say like Kenya’s, because Museveni intentionally structured it to avoid a military coup. “And he succeeded because we do not have officer messes, a modern commissary, sports clubs or other things where officers or men can get to know and trust each other and their commanders. There is a total lack of trust among officers and men, made worse by the excessive tribalism and corruption by westerners and Banyarwanda who are mostly interested in stealing money and running businesses. That is why you can see a 25 year old Second Lieutenant from Nyabushozi with a huge house and several cars while a Colonel from Buganda or the North travels by boda boda.”  A military coup is nearly impossible because there is no real command-and-control in the UPDF and many important decisions are based on rumors and even advice from witch doctors.

The senior UPDF officers revealed that even Museveni is not sure of the UPDF force size because he has allowed the enlistment of ghost soldiers and foreigners for so many years. However, the officer  estimated that if one counts both active and retired combatants the effective number is about 100,000, with at least 20,000 of them being Baganda proper.  And there are many quality Baganda commissioned and non-commissioned officers since “most of us don’t have the opportunities to be corrupt and try to advance through training while most westerners think that it interrupts with their business activities.” Apparently there are also thousands of Baganda veterans who have served under a command and who would be ready to contribute when activated. Many of these, now taxis drivers, boda boda drivers, market vendors and artisans are very bitter about the way Museveni and his people have cheated Buganda and mistreated Kabaka Mutebi.

On who would command the so called Buganda Defense Forces or BDF, the senior military man said: “It is much simpler than you think. These nearly 10,000 or so Baganda fighters would follow any Muganda who has charisma so long as it is clear that the individual is loyal to Kabaka and has Buganda’s interest at heart. Baganda in the UPDF found out much earlier than the rest of you that Uganda is a failed state, after Museveni could not guarantee them salaries. We just don’t know what to do when Mmengo is as corrupt as Nakasero. If there is a Katikkiro who is 100% loyal to Kabaka and has the brains to understand the situation as well as show capacity to be a commander, we can do the rest. Buganda is our only home and the rest of the UPDF is too disorganized to be a problem for us. Also remember that our friends from Acholi, Busoga, Teso or Lango now know that despite the current corruption and cowardice in Mmengo ordinary Baganda are no longer cowards.”

The military veteran, who aspires to retire in the BDF, made one other interesting observation: “Remember that a band of Banyarwanda, who had a strong cause, took NRA equipment 400 Kms to hostile Hutu-led Rwanda and took power. Why should better trained Baganda who are already in very friendly home territory equipped with Ugandan arms stockpiles in Kyadondo, Busiro, Buddu, Buwekula and Buluuli and Bulemeezi not have it even easier. You see, as Uganda continues to fail, our cause to save Buganda and to never allow outsiders to terrorize us becomes stronger. The only thing missing is a leader in Mmengo who has the natural intelligence and patriotism of Muliika as well as the sophistication to assure Buganda that he is 100% obedient to Kabaka. If such serious leadership exists under Kabaka when things start to fall apart Okwonko style, a new BDF could take shape overnight and bring immediate order in the 18 counties of Buganda.”

The United States DOD has defined an occupied territory as:

Territory under the authority and effective control of a belligerent armed force. The term is not applicable to territory being administered pursuant to peace terms, treaty, or other agreement, express or implied, with the civil authority of the territory.

We argue that even a casual but sober review of Uganda’s political history should lead to the conclusion that the aggrieved people of Buganda, under their Kabaka (king) have a case to declare their nation an occupied territory under the authority of a belligerent armed force.

• Fact: Buganda has internationally recognizable boundaries that in 1967 were not in dispute by any of her neighbors (Tanzania, Busoga, Bunyoro, Ankole, Tooro and Lango).
• Fact: The natives of Buganda constitute a distinguishable nation, with distinct cultural practices, national language and customary laws that developed over more than 500 years ago.
• Fact: In 1962 the civil government of Buganda, headed by Kabaka of Buganda, entered a legal agreement (Uganda Constitution of 1966) with other nations and populations in colonial Uganda to federate and gain independence as a single country.
• Fact: In 1966 Prime Minister Obote and his supporters, without consulting Buganda’s civil government or population, illegally overthrew the Uganda Constitution with the use of armed forces. The then Kabaka, Muteesa Walugembe, was exiled to the UK where he died under suspicious circumstances.
• Fact: Between 1966 and 1986 various warlords, including Obote, Idi Amin and Museveni captured Uganda state power through the violent and illegal use of arms.
•  Fact: After Yoweri Museveni captured power by the force of arms in 1986 he organized an exercise to develop a new national constitution that would return the governance of Uganda to a legal status. The flagship activity of the constitution making exercise was the independednt Odoki Commission (leg by Justice Odoki) which collected information that would be properly address the aspirations of all the people in Uganda.
• Fact: According to the “Odoki Report”, over 90% of the people of Buganda explicitly demanded that they be governed under federal form of government which prevailed before the overthrow of the 1966 Uganda constitution.
• Fact: Museveni, Bidandi-Ssali and their supporters illegally (under natural law) broke the terms of the constitution making process and administratively invalidated the demands of the people of Buganda and introduced an experimental substitute that they dubiously name “decentralization”.
• Fact: Since 1986 has, through decrees and targeted laws, constructed a legal system that is selectively punitive to Buganda, her people and her civil leadership, the Kabaka institution. One example is the currency reform decree which devalued the Uganda Shilling by 90% in an environment where Baganda held over 60% of all cash wealth in Uganda. Another example is the 1998 Land Act which set “mailo” land rent (nearly exclusivel found in Buganda) to less than 1$ (US) regardless of size and freely gave away Buganda’s 9,000 square miles customary lands but not those of other nationalities.
• Fact: Museveni, Tinyefunza and their accomplices have issued numerous public statements over radio in newspapers threatening to “destroy” elements of Buganda’s civil leaders, calling Buganda leaders “hyenas”, reminding Baganda that “you don’t have the guns”, telling Kabaka Mutebi to fire Buganda leaders “who don’t agree with Government” and even reminding Baganda of the “1966 crisis” when the 1962 constitution was overthrown.
•  Fact: Buganda’s civil leaders (Kabaka’s Government), with overwhelming support, are only demanding that Museveni and his supporters stop the injustices again the people of Buganda – return the 9,000 square miles and other properties and restore the only form of governance that Buganda has ever willing accepted (federal).

Over the weekend of July 19, 2008 the people of Buganda held a national conference (Lukiiko Ttabamiruka) to discuss the issues of land, poverty and governance which confront them. The Uganda government seems to have underestimated the conference until, on July 18, 2008, one Buganda official, Lubega Ssegona, eloquently’s spoke about its expected results in front of Government agents.

Unexpectedly powerful speeches by Kabaka Mutebi, his wife Nnabagereka Nagginda and others seem to have created virtual panic among Government officials and their Baganda collaborators, resulting in one of the most ill conceived political decisions by Museveni since he came to power. The government arrested Betty Nambooze, Peter Mayiga and Lubega Ssegona (detainded just before the meeting) to preempt further political damage. And in the process handed Baganda nationalists the strongest case so far that the Uganda government considers any expression of Buganda nationalism as a crime. Evidence that Buganda is all but occupied by a belligerent force that will not tolerate and use force against the national aspirations of the native population. Isn’t Buganda under armed occupation?