Eddoboozi newspaper has reported that one of Kabaka Mutebi’s guards has rebelled and established Local Council 1 (LC 1) office in the Mmengo Lubiri. The Lubiri the official residence of the Kabaka of Buganda and is considered a sacred place for Baganda. According to reports, David Ssengoye and other people, first held a meeting at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba and selected themselves as the officials of the council. Ssengoye is chairman, Betty Kisaliita is his deputy and one Saad, another former Kabaka’s guard is secretary for youth. Under the president Museveni’s occupation laws, if Ssengoye gets away with this council then he (Ssengoye) will have political power over the Lion of Buganda.

Eddoboozi learnt from reliable sources that Ssengoye’s rebel LC 1 is filled by NRM operatives. And according to the newspaper’s research, it appears that Ssegoye is being paid well by certain people to provoke Kabaka Mutebi. When the Kabaka first heard about Ssengoye’s activities, he (Kabaka) told his guard to drop the idea because Mmengo Lubiri is a private cultural place and must not have a political office such as LC 1. However, Ssengoye decided to ignore his Kabaka and move ahead to start his LC 1 office in the palace.

By lunchtime in Kampala on Saturday, the word on Buganda street was that evidence (“bwino”) had been uncovered that at least two Mmengo officials had secretly assisted Ssengoye to set up the LC 1. And that they had been facilitated by Museveni’s NRM government.

Eddobozi newspaper is run by the Buganda youth organization, Nkoba za Mbogo and can be found online at www.eddoboozi.co.ug.

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

Uganda’s vice president, Dr. Gilbert Bukenya has told Kabaka Mutebi and his subjects to forget about  the Federo, which they are agitating for.  Bukenya is supposed to have made these statements in an interview that is published in government owned and controlled Sunday Vision of September 6, 2009. Bukenya was echoing the statement made by president Museveni, during a July 12, 2009 public debate On WBS TV, where he (Museveni) declared: “I can never allow Federo for Buganda”.

August 16, 2009 Bukenya attended the Coronation Anniversary celebrations in Lubiri where Omutaka Nakirembeka chided the vice president and other Baganda members of the NRM government for  parroting their anti-Buganda bosses. Kabaka Mutebi , in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Museveni’s TV declaration, made clear that Buganda would not tolerate any more double-talk on Federo. The Kabaka said: “When we hear some people saying that they don’t know what Federo means, I think they have failed to understand what we mean. You should reply to them that Federo is all about justice and truth, and this is what we demand.”

On his part, Bukenya told Kabaka Mutebi and the tens of  thousands of Baganda present that:  ”Buganda’s Federo concerns are genuine and we need to talk about them seriously. I will make sure to recommend to the appropriate authorities that they be handled.”  Apparently  Bukenya  chose the newspaper interview format to inform  Kabaka Mutebi and his subjects to forget Federo, only saying, “We are giving them a regional government.”

Below is what Bukenya told Moses Mulondo of the new vision in response to a question on Federo. According to our sources in Ugandan media, Bukenya and Uganda state house were involved in composing both the question and the answer . Moreover, Bukenya’s answer was first  shown to the Uganda state house, by Robert Kabushenga, before publication. Therefore, all the vagueness (kavuyo) it contains is intentional.

Question: Do you think Buganda’s demands on federalism are genuine?

Answer: Lets  first of all make this very clear. Long time ago when the Europeans came to the centre of Africa here, there was an absolute monarchy. All the power and the leadership was enthroned in the king of that kingdom. He would even order for the killing of a person if he wanted. When the British came in they started taking away power from the king and giving it to the chiefs.

That was the beginning of process of reducing absolute monarchism. By 1950 monarchism was beginning to die out because the colonialists had introduced elections. Once they introduced the system of one  man one vote, democracy began to take over from the monarchy. Today you would be wasting time or dreaming if you thought of going back to the absolute federalism of the monarchy we used to have before the colonialists

But the Buganda kingdom is not demanding for the federalism it had before colonialism, rather, it is demanding for the federalism it got in 1962 after we had acquired independence

But the 1962 federalism is what we are giving them. We are giving them a regional government. They told you to manage many things; I do not know what they were told to manage in 1962. However, I want this to be re-emphasised for it seems to be our major disagreement. In a democratic arrangement you cannot expect that there will ever be a leader of a government without their being voted for by the population. It’s not possible.

That is why we have been saying, ‘why we don’t dissolve some power by creating regional governments whose leaders will be voted for by the people?’ The central government can give some power and you can call that federalism. But the previous federalism of an absolute monarchy is gone forever.

The full interview is available in the Interview sections of the Sunday Vision at www.sundayvision.co.ug.

On August 16, 2009, Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II excited Baganda all over the world when he made it clear that, despite president Museveni thinking that Federo is out of question, Buganda will continue her fight for self-determination and ultimately win. Kabaka Mutebi was addressing tens of thousands of Baganda who turned up at Lubiri to celebrate the 16th anniversary of his coronation onto the Namulondo of Buganda.

Kabaka Mutebi, who returned from a 3 day tour of his Buvuma county during the middle of last week, drew thunderous cheers when he said: “When we hear some people saying that they don’t know what Federo means, I think they have failed to understand what we mean. You should reply to them that Federo is all about justice and truth, and this is what we demand.”  The Kabaka made it clear that Federo, with some powers leaving the center and going to regional governments like Buganda, is essential for Uganda to be stable and grow. And he lamented the fact that, even the colonialists practiced more justice than seen today. He told his attentive audience: “If someone is fighting for what has been stolen from him, you may not be able to stop him. It may be impossible for you to make him forget his cause. Whenever our people talk about Federo, what they mean is ‘we want justice’.”

Before the Kabaka spoke, the Chairman of Abataka Abakulu b’Ebika, Omutaka Nakirembeka, Alan Waliggo, told the mammoth crowd of Baganda that President Museveni’s claim that Buganda will never get Federo should be a warning to us, to be careful about voting for non-Baganda leaders.  He said: “We are fed up with being used and abused. We shall remain in constant tears until we are in charge of what we get instead of letting others decide.”

The crowd broke into extended laughter when Kabaka’s Minister of State for Information, Medard Lubega Sseggona, told President Museveni’s vice, Gilbert Bukenya: “Please go and educate you friends on how to be loyal to the Kabaka of Buganda.” According to our sources in Mmengo, Bukenya takes full advantage of his very close and long friendship with Katikkiro JB Walusimbi to get himself invited to virtually every public event attended by Kabaka Mutebi.

While it is too early to tell, reports from around Kampala, Mukono and Entebbe, as well as emails from Los Angeles, London and Nairobi, suggest that Baganda here and overseas are very pleased by the Kabaka’s performance. One short email from London fairly represents the general pleasure expressed by Baganda we have heard from: “Nakato: I don’t know if you guys are reporting the news from Kampala about Kabaka’s and Omutaka’s statements in Lubiri. Emplogoma ebogodde! We feel much better after the weak and safe voices of the last 10 days. Awangaale Ssabasajja!”.

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London, UK: What has Owek. Walusimbi Delivered?

Dear editor,

If I remember correctly, the former Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Daniel Muliika held Ddamula for 20 months. In that short time, he did many things for his nation. He recovered the land titles for many important Buganda lands across the kingdom. He crashed the Ssemwogere/Museveni regional tier poison and stopped the scam by Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Apollo Nsibambi and ‘others still at large’ to divide and sell pieces of Kabaka’s Lubiri to Sudhir and Salim Saleh. But most important, he woke Baganda youth up to understand that Museveni and his NRM were determined to make Baganda slaves or refugees in their own land.

Now, my question is, what has Engineer JB Walusimbi done so far? He cannot claim the 2008 Buganda Conference because it is former acting Katikkiro Ssendaula who copied that idea from the Baganda Ttabamiruka in USA.  The only thing Katikkiro Walusimbi talked consistently about for months is his Museveni funded Omumuli program where he even got Kabaka to distribute maize seeds.  Except now that few farmers planted those seeds he is quiet on Omumuli. The rest of the time, the Katikkiro has either been in secret meetings with Mr. Museveni or complaining against any Muganda who does not love the NRM. Seriously, what will Owek. Walusimbi tell us he has done for Buganda after twenty months in office, which will be a few months from now? And I mean for Buganda, not for Museveni!

Awangaale Ssabajja,

JC Ssempasa,
London

California, USA: Buganda Leadership Vaccum

Gutusinze Ssabasajja.

The leadership gap in Mengo is putting Buganda at a very big risk because even here in the diaspora we are starting to have NRM and fake Baganda take over our organizations.  In London, Boston and Washington DC we now have people who are much more loyal to NRM and Museveni than to Namulondo, taking over Baganda organizations.

Ai Ssabasajja we were first shocked to hear that some people who are suspected to be  funded by Uganda tax payer money disorganized the Gwangamujje of Boston elections two month ago. Then came word that  during the Gwangamujje of Washington DC elections a few weeks ago they allowed non-members, visitors and even children to vote.  Unbelievable but true is the fact that the returning officer who supposedly ruled all these irregularities legal (NRM style) is Omulangira Kalema, the Kabaka’s representative in Washington DC.  This taking over of Baganda organizations is already paying off for Mr. Museveni and his people. I have read news that his ambassador Perez Kamunanirwe has been invited to preside over Buganda Day on June 27, 2009. Yet, when Buganda Day was started in DC, it was to remember Baganda heroes, starting with Ssekabaka Luwangula Muteesa II, who have died while defending your kingdom against Ugandan governments.

Magulunyondo, what is happening in London and USA with Balangira betraying Namulondo and some Baganda thinking that they cannot do anything without involving NRM or Banyankore and Banyarwanda is a result of “the surrender” at Mengo.  Cuucu, we pray that God may bless and guide you to a decision that can deal with the weak leadership at Mengo.

Wangaala nnyo Sabasajja.

Name Witheld (on request)
California, USA

On March 9, 2009, Buganda Post carried an exclusive story describing how Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and president Museveni had reached secret agreements on strategies towards clipping Kabaka Mutebi’s power concentration (see Katikkiro Walusimbi Dodges Talks, Leaves Museveni Holding A Bag Of Stones). To protect our sources, we did not name Mr. Walusimbi’s co-conspirators. However, only one day after our story, Mr. Museveni’s Luganda mouthpiece, Bukedde, not only confirmed the substance of our story but named some of  Mr. Walusimbi’s co-conspirators.

According to the March 10, 2009 edition of Bukedde Mr. Walusimbi’s point man is Mr. Jolly Lutaaya, minister of local government in the Buganda government. The others named are Ahmed Bamweyana, Kaddu Kiberu, Dr. Masagazi Masaazi, Omutaka Ssevvume Musoke and Kyadondo county chief, Toferi Malokweza.

Mr. Jolly Lutaaya and Mr. Kaddu Kiberu are among the longest serving Buganda Government ministers, having been appointed in the early 1990’s with strong support from then Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli. At the time of Kabaka Mutebi’s wedding, Mr. Lutaaya was forced to leave Mmengo after being caught red handed by Kabaka’s guard (abambowa) while stealing building materials, donated by Baganda, from Mmengo Lubiri.  To many Kampala  Baganda, the theft from Kabaka was viewed as proof of earlier allegations that he started his contracting business with large scale embezzlement from one of the major oil companies in Kampala were true.  Like Katikkiro Walusimbi, Mr. Lutaaya’s main source of income are government “deals” secured through Engineers Nasaasira and Muganzi in ministry of works

Our Mmengo sources claim that Mr. Kaddu Kiberu has one of the cleaner records when it comes at Mmengo finances. For many years, Mr. Kiberu generously donated to various Mmengo and clan (Mmamba) causes. However, the sources also say that during the heat of the battle for Federal vs. Decentralization he was widely suspected to be the NRM’s most active spies at Mmengo because he used to hold secret one-on-one meetings with Bidandi Ssali at least 2 to 3 times a month.  Curiously, the meetings were mostly at public events like funerals, if possible, or on Kampala streets in an old car with tinted windows. Mr. Kiberu’s primary business, Peacock Paints is currently facing some financial challenges and frequently relies on government tenders.

Mr. Ahmed Bamweyana, a former senior clerk at the Uganda High Commission, in London, is currently the Financial Controller in President Museveni’s Education Service Commission. Most Baganda who are familiar with Mmengo, especially those in North America and Europe, would best remember Mr. Bamweyana as the man who sabotaged Betty Nambooze’s visa to Ttabamiruka ’08 in the USA. He allegedly cheated Baganda of millions of shillings by convincing them that they had to go through him to get Ttabamiruka invitation letters (see Nambooze, US Embassy Victims of Bamweyana Visa Scam.) As punishment for this corruption Katikkiro Walusimbi moved Mr. Bamweyana from Chief of Protocol to a deputy minister position.

Our sources tell us that Dr. Masagazi Masaazi, Omutaka Ssevvume Musoke and Kyadondo county chief, Toferi Malokweza carry little or no political weight in Buganda issues. However, like many other Baganda usually targeted by Museveni, they are all known to face “financial problems”. And they are eager to do business with Ms. Kyambadde if  supporting Mmengo negotiations with Museveni can ease their financial stress.

One Muganda political analyst has told this writer that the involvement of Amelia Kyambadde and Sebunya with Katikkiro Walusimbi’s dubious representatives validates the Buganda Post story of  March 9, 2009 that the Museveni/Walusimbi secret negotiation were about using money to isolate Kabaka Mutebi. He insists that:  “Sebunya is the primary handler of Baganda officials and clan leader who spy for Museveni on fellow Baganda . And Amelia Kyambadde holds Museveni’s cash box. What could they all have been secretly negotiating about other than bribes?”

According to investigations by this reporter , the head of the Baganda Mmamba clan never accepted a Mulugwaala into his clan as reported by a Uganda’s government newspaper.  A mutaka (elder) in the Mmamba clan told this reporter that, although he did not want to publically attack the Mmamba clan administration, he had to clear the name of “Jajja” Yosiya Kasozi on this matter.  Gabunga is the title of the head of the Mmamba (lung fish) clan, one the most prominent among the 54 Baganda clans. A report in the Uganda government owned Bukedde news paper shocked many Baganda by its suggestion that that one Peter Onziye, a Lugbara, went to Gabunga, asked for and was granted membership in the Mmamba clan.

The mutaka who did not want his name revealed due to the sensitivity of the issue of fake Baganda said in Luganda: “I can assure you that Jajja Gabunga who is 90 years now, has been seriously sick for months and can even hardly talk to us his grandchildren; he could not have been involved in what was reported.  And like other clan heads, Gabunga is very concerned about the issue of foreigners impersonating Baganda for temporary convenience and, later on, doing things that are anti-Baganda.  Without naming names, I must remind people that some of the most dangerous projects against Buganda, like trying to sell the Lubiri, were first introduced by the so called Buganda think-tank  which is loaded by greedy people who are not genuine Baganda.”

The mutaka went on to explain Baganda identity as follows:  “Under Baganda culture, a person is a Muganda if his or her father is a Muganda. Each Muganda belongs to one of the 50 plus Baganda clans. Over the centuries, Baganda have allowed a few exceptions to this general rule. Large populations of people who wish to join or were conquered by Buganda could be admitted as a new clan. The new clan would integrate into Buganda by pledging their loyalty to Kabaka and adopting  Baganda customs such as barring intra clan marriage. Baganda clans grew from less than 20 to over 50 in this way.

“The second major historical path has been when large populations of non-Baganda join Buganda after a war or treaty and get absorbed into different Baganda clans by being given Masiga and Mituba (subclan groups). This is how many people originally from Buluuli, Kooki, Buvuma, Bugerere and Bukunja became solid Baganda.  A third but less formal path is one where foreigners have adopted Baganda cultural practices and names and sought sponsorship from prominent Baganda families to get their children recruited into a given clan. However, the acceptance is normally at Lujja or Mutuba level but never at Kasolya level. Ordinarily the foreigner does this to ‘earn’ his or children and grandchildren the honor of becoming . As you can see, being a Muganda is a really tough thing. The problem is that now there are a few corrupt clan officials who think that it is alright to have someone like Onziye walk off the street, give you 50,000 and you make him a Muganda.”

The elder encouraged all Bazzukulu ba Gabunga (Mmamba clan members) to directly tell the Katikkiro of their clan, Dr. Kimala Nsubuga,  that whatever happened with Onziye must not happen again. And to tell Haj. Aga Sekalala that allowing his Radio Simba to call Onziye the name Nsubuga would be a sign of disrespect to the Baganda in general, and Mmamba clansmen in particular. For Onziye, the mutaka had a veiled warning: “I hope Mr. Onziye realizes that, at this point in time, it is not good for him to become famous for bribing clan officials to become a Muganda and ridicule Baganda customs so publicly.”

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, the Libyan ambassador to Uganda, Abdallah Bujeldin made it clear that the alleged fallout between his boss and President Museveni was nothing but a hoax. In a telecast speech to mark the 39th anniversary of the Libyan so called Green Revolution. Bujeldin said, “The President [Museveni] has done very excellent work.”  The diplomat folded his thumb to show four fingers, signifying the fourth term, and added, “Revolutionaries like President Museveni do not need to be changed because they fought for a major cause.” He campaigned, “To all Muslims in Uganda, remember 2011 is coming. You must remember to support President Museveni.”

Libya’s entry into Uganda politics on the side of President Museveni came hours after a Buganda delegation led by Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu and including Katikkiro J.B. Walusimbi returned from the Green Revolution celebrations in Libya. The all expenses paid invitation to Libya was sold to Baganda as participation in an African cultural conference. The Buganda delegation also included Apollo Makubuya, the Buganda Attorney General, and others. Before the Libyan trip, Katikkiro Walusimbi had touted, both in cabinet and at Nook Bar, the plan “to exploit the rift between Museveni and Gaddafi and get the Libyan leader to fund Bulange Plaza and other construction projects.”

It is not clear what the Buganda delegation achieved on their 2 week trip. However, Libya’s decision to make such strong political statements in support of Museveni appears to be a message to Mengo that Gaddafi and Museveni have no serious rift for Mengo to exploit. On arrival back home, the Buganda delegation indicated that Gaddafi had agreed to Lubiri developments. If this is true and Walusimbi and Gaddafi follow through with it, it could be seen by some Baganda as proof that Museveni, Gaddafi and Walusimbi, along with other prominent Baganda, are all in a conspiracy to grab the Lubiri from Buganda.

Libya’s president Gaddafi has no history of liking of honoring monarchies. He came to power an armed overthrow of King Idris of Libya in 1969. On the other hand, in the late 1990s, after an introduction by President Museveni, Gaddafi developed a close personal relationship with the queen mother of Toro, Best Kemigisha. Over the next few years, Gaddafi rebuilt the Toro palace and bought a London home for Kemigisha’s family. In the meantime, Toro’s queen mother commuted between Uganda and Libya on Libyan government jets, for private visits. The relationship apparently run out of steam in the early 2000s and Mr. Gaddafi stopped helping Kemigisha and the Toro royal family. The Omukama of Toro is now in a dire financial situation, with court brokers threatening to sell off the Toro palace due to cash shortages. Toro’s friend, Gaddafi, has moved and found another Ugandan kingdom eager to listen to his promises.

From the time Buganda rejected Mr. Museveni’s plan to introduce the Regional Tier system and an elected Katikkiro in the kingdom, the Ugandan president has orchestrated a multi pronged “scorched earth” campaign to destroy Buganda. The writing is on the wall for all with eyes to see.

First, Mr. Museveni is reported to have invested millions of United States dollars in getting rid of Katikkiro Muliika, mostly in bribes to current and former Mmengo officials and a few clan leaders to undermine Muliika.  Then he opened the Land Act amendment onslaught, combined with the ferrying of thousands of armed Balaalo and foreigners onto Buganda’s native public lands (9,000 square miles). He even went ahead started publishing an official government  map of Uganda which name Kigezi, Bunyoro, Acholi, Busoga, etc. but identify Buganda as “central region”.  This column has reliably learnt that Mr. Museveni’s extensive network among Buganda opinion leaders also helped him to covertly get Engr. J. B. Walusimbi become Katikkiro. So, it is not by accident that Engr. Walusimbi’s appointment was much praised by Museveni, his vice president Bukenya and his prime minster Nsibambi or that Museveni strongly supports Walusimbi’s unpopular plans for Kabaka/Museveni negotiations and for mortgaging Kabaka’s Lubiri to dubious Ugandan and foreign investors.

But probably the most dangerous aspect of Mr. Museveni’s 2 year anti Buganda campaign is his use of government resources to build anti-Buganda feelings, even hatred, among other Uganda communities. For about 5 years he has used Mukasa Muruli, Atwooki Kasirivu, Kahinda Otafiire, David Tinyefuza,  Ofwono Opondo and other agents to fan hatred, which, if ignored could lead anti-Baganda genocide. He has created artificial kingdoms within Buganda to undermine Kabaka Mutebi. And more recently, he seems to be constructing a Bunyoro-Busoga-Ankole axis to fight Buganda (See “Some Basoga Scared of Museveni’s Cows“).

So, the question is, could Mr. Museveni’s 2 year campaign to demonize Baganda and make them vulnerable to genocidal attacks have a positive side?  The answer is, yes. First, and most important, Kabaka Mutebi can no longer be misled by compromised officials at Mmengo that Mr. Museveni loves Buganda, as it happened with Regional Tier deal. Second, tens of thousands of Baganda youth who now have little else to lose are now fully committed to protecting Buganda. And the more intelligent among Baganda in the diaspora are also fired up to invest in the future of their motherland.

Thanks to Mr. Museveni’s relentless effort to push Buganda against the wall it is also now evident that Baganda, starting with those living overseas, are starting to define their own agenda for the future. And this agenda is no longer about Federo, LC 5 or Regional Tier. It is about fundamental human rights for to self-determination.

This columnist argues that without Mr. Museveni’s intense 2 year campaign against Buganda, historical milestones like the massive Bulange demonstrations against the arrest of Nambooze, Mayiga and Lubega or the resolutions passed by Baganda at Ttabamiruka ’08 would not have come to pass.  Born out of Mr. Museveni’s program to destroy Buganda is the new Muganda: bold, fed up, loyal to Kabaka, proud of clan and ready to accept nothing but freedom to self-determination. This Muganda is walking around in Kampala, Masaka and Nagalama by the thousands. And the same Muganda recently attended Ttabamiruka ’08 by the hundreds and resolved that Baganda must never beg for anything from Mr. Museveni again. Sounds like a positive side to me.