Last weekend, during the burial ceremony for former Bishop of Masaka, Adrian Ddungu, two Buganda ministers squirmed like children and begged Uganda dictator, Yoweri Museveni, to reopen CBS radio. The two were Jolly Lutaaya (with VP Bukenya and Katikkiro Walusimibi in photo), minister of Local Government, and Charles Peter Mayiga who holds the Information portfolio.  The funeral was in Masaka, Buddu.

Lutaaya appeared to have lost control of himself when he told Museveni: “Mr. President, our people say to you that they have learnt a lesson, and are begging you to switch their radio, CBS, back on.” Owek. Lutaaya went on to promise the Ugandan warlord that, if the people were cheering in response to his (Lutaaya’s) mention of CBS, then they would certainly be forever grateful after Museveni reopened the CBS FM radio.

Unsure if he had impressed the now smiling Museveni, Lutaaya, who appeared fully sober, went on to equate the Buganda nation and her Kabaka to children with the Uganda dictator as their father. To the dismay of many Baganda, Owek Lutaaya told Museveni: “Since you are the father of our nation, we beg you to treat us the way a father treats a child who has erred. Please punish but do not kill.” Museveni is the 9th president of Uganda and took power in 1986, a good 24 years after Uganda was declared and independent nation by the British.

Supporting Mr. Lutaaya, Owek. Peter Mayiga, who represented Katikkiro Walusimbi, pleaded with the then belligerent-looking Museveni to kindly listen to people’s requests. Museveni, who has in the past called Mayiga and other Mmengo officials “dishonest hyenas”, took advantage of the situation to further humiliate the two Mmengo officials. He told the crowd: “I have worked with the Kabaka from 1981, in London and through the liberation war. Then people like this Mayiga come to deceive you.” Museveni repeated his familiar claims that Buganda issues can only be solve through direct negotiations between him and Kabaka Mutebi.

The head of the NRM occupation government went on to call himself Buganda’s best friend and whine that, in its 10 years on the air, CBS FM never broadcast anything good about him. Amusingly, when he asked the crowd, “Has CBS ever broadcast anything good about me?”, the people shouted back in unison, “Yes!”

Jolly Lutaaya is one of the longest serving ministers in Buganda government. He is a wealthy real estate owner, trader and contractor. He, reportedly, became suddenly wealthy in the 1980’s, after getting fired by a major international company amid accusations of embezzlement. Like Katikkiro Walusimbi, Owek. Lutaaya’s Marvel Road Contractors heavily relies on government construction contracts. During the preparations for Kabaka Mutebi’s wedding Mr. Lutaaya was removed from the organizing committee and the Buganda cabinet after his was caught by palace guards (abambowa) driving away with building materials that Baganda donated to the Kabaka. He bounced back as minister by offering major funding to Mmengo and with support from then Katikkiro Joseph Mulwaanyamuli. Owek. Jolly Lutaaya is a member of the “Rich People’s Association” (Bagagga Bagalana), which is dominated by former convicts, money launderers, smugglers, and loan shacks. Sudhir Ruparelia, Godfrey Kirumira and Karim Hirji are some of the other well known members.

Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has also been a Buganda official for at least 10 years. He, John Katende and Apollo Makubuya assisted former Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli to develop the infamous Regional Tier agreement with Museveni in the late 1990s. In July 2004, members of Museveni’s sate house leaked evidence to the press that Mr. Mayiga, a lawyer with Buwuule and Mayiga Advocates, was involved in a Shs 800m bribe that Museveni paid to Mmengo to kill a Federo demo. In 2008 Owek. Mayiga was kidnapped by Uganda police, along with Betty Nambooze and Lubega Sseggona right after the First Buganda Conference. Curiously, Mr. Mayiga later admitted, he was well treated by the police and was never charged. On the other hand, Nambooze and Lubega were held under inhuman conditions and later charged with sedition and annoying Museveni.

In a statement likely to anger many Baganda who are loyal to Kabaka Mutebi, Katikkiro JB Walusimbi yesterday praised the meeting between Kabaka Mutebi and Uganda warlord, Yoweri Museveni. A source in Buganda Government, who requested anonymity, sent as a message to alert us to the statement, which Katikkiro Walusimbi posted on the Buganda official website www.buganda.or.ug. The same source also told us: “Buganda’s cabinet is much divided. Some who have a strange history with Museveni, like Owek. Mayiga and Owek. Walusimbi appear to be unwilling to make Museveni angry at any cost. Then there are principled and brave people like Nsubuga Nsambu, Mpanga, Ssegona, Mpuuga and even Kabuuza Mukasa who seem to reason that cowardice is not acceptable when Buganda and Kabaka are at stake. Some are of ‘wamma wandiba omutuufu’ type, either chasing personal interests in Mmengo or good people who are simply unable to cope with the problems Buganda is facing today. An even bigger problem is that our people are part-time when Museveni’s agents work around the clock.”

The statement issued by Katikkiro Walusimbi  paints the picture that all previous tensions between Buganda and her occupiers have disappeared with this one meeting. In one section of his statement, the Katikkiro specifically claims that:  “The meeting marks an end to the rift that had grown between the Kingdom and the central government and has been appreciated by both leaders.”  The Katikkiro’s statement does not reveal whether he consulted the Kabaka or the Buganda cabinet its issue.

Immediately after getting the Internet address for the statement, we shared it with our New York based analyst and asked for his opinion. In his email reply to this writer, the analyst said: “I refuse to accept that this statement was written by a whole Katikkiro of the Kingdom of Buganda because it is totally unrelated to reality. Before the meeting, Museveni had murdered over 30 Baganda, wounded hundreds and imprisoned over 700, threatened to abolish the Buganda kingdom, was arresting Lubega Sseggona and hunting for Betty Namboozi. Yet Engineer Walusimbi tells us with a straight face that, in a one-hour meeting,  Kabaka Mutebi abandoned his principles and his loyal subjects preferring to close any rift with a foreigner who is occupying his Kingdom by force of arms. Every serious Muganda knows that Kabaka went to the meeting at gun point. If the Engineer is telling the truth then I am Michael Jackson – the guy who died was an impostor.”

The statement issued by Katikkiro JB Walusimbi is reproduced in full below:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM KATIKKIRO’S OFFICE

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Eng J.B.Walusimbi informs the people of Buganda that the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has met the president, H.E Yoweri Katguta Museveni on an official visit at State House in Entebbe.

On arrival at State House, His majesty was warmly welcomed by the president and they both discussed various issues.

The meeting marks an end to the rift that had grown between the Kingdom and the central government and has been appreciated by both leaders.

On his visit, the Kabaka was accompanied by the Katikkiro Eng J.B. Walusimbi, Prince David Wasajja, Rt. Rev. Bishop Wilson Mutebi of Mityana, minister for Nkuluze Amb. William Matovu, Chairperson Bataka council Nakirembeka Eng Alan Waliggo, A.D. Lubowa, Mahabub Ssemakalu and Peter Mpanga.

J.B. WALUSIMBI

KATIKKIRO.

30-09-2009

In a sign that president Museveni is can no longer push Baganda around, his government is quietly abandoning the fake case they filed against Buganda’s state minister for information, Medard Lubega Sseggona and the Chairperson of the Central Civic Education Committee, Betty Nambooze Bakireke. The case resulted after president Museveni ordered the kidnap and illegal imprisonment of the two Buganda officials plus Minister for Cabinet affairs, Peter Mayiga, one year ago. The main reason Museveni gave for the order is that “annoyed” him as president.  It is not very clear why Mayiga was never charged, given that the facts of the case were made up after Museveni was pressured by Baganda youths and aid donors to release or charge the popular Kabaka’s officials.

Nakawa chief magistrate permanently stayed hearing of the case on the basis that it is illegal to continue trying a matter which is still before the constitutional court following a submission by the lawyers of the accused that court needs to give a longer adjournment pending constitutional court pronouncement. Mr. Museveni’s prosecution happily agreed.

A source close to Mr. Museveni’s statehouse has told us that July has been a terrible month for the Uganda strongman.  For the first time since 1986 he was forced to reverse himself on strong anti-Buganda and anti-Kabaka public statements he had made. According to the source: “His excellence feels really bad that he had to ask Tamale Mirundi to do damage control on the ‘No Federo’ statement made on WBS TV and, even worse, that he had to tell Kabushenga to publically apologize for the New Vision attacks on Kabaka. But it also appears that the president does not have the energy to fight so many battles. Think about it, in 1997 HE would be sharp even though he slept only 2-4 hours a day. Now, even when he sleeps 6 hours in a day, you can see him half-dozing, confusing facts and always in a quarreling mood.”

A more detailed report on the case from the Buganda Government website is shown below.

COURT STAYS CASE AGAINST MEDARD AND NAMBOOZE

By Ntale Yunusu

Nakawa chief magistrate, Deo Ssejemba has permanently stayed hearing of the case against Buganda’s state minister for information, Medard Lubega Sseggona and the Chairperson of the Central Civic Education Committee, Betty Nambooze Bakireke.

The two together with information minister, Charles Peter Mayiga were arrested from Kampala in July last year and taken to various police cells in Western Uganda for a full week.
Charles Peter Mayiga was later released unconditionally while Medard Sseggona and Betty were both charged for uttering seditious statements against the person of the president.

The charge sheet asserts that the duo uttered statements on CBS fm radio programmes Twejjukanye, Agafa e Mengo and Cross fire in March 2008 which it claims were aimed at causing hatred and disaffection against the president.

Prosecution further claims that Medard Lubega Sseggona during a cross fire programme on 8th March, 2008 said that Museveni’s war against Mengo is truly a war against Buganda Kingdom and the Baganda which prosecution says caused hatred among the public against the president.

The charge sheet further stated that during the Agafa e Mengo programme, Sseggona wondered why the recent school fires were targeting Buganda region and therefore urged people in Buganda to develop their own resolutions to stop the fires if government does not find a lasting solution to the matter.

The magistrate ruled that it’s illegal to continue trying a matter which is still before the constitutional court following a submission by the lawyers of the accused that court needs to give a longer adjournment pending constitutional court pronouncement.

He went further to pronounce that there is a pending matter before the constitutional court protesting constitutionality of the articles of sedition which was filed by the accused and another one by a city journalist Andrew Mwenda.

After the ruling by the Nakawa Magistrate, Medard Lubega speculated that the state seems to have lost interest in the matter which is dismay to rule of law and freedom of speech maintaining that the seditious charges are vague as one cannot assume what might annoy the president.

He added that they are set to continue demanding for Buganda’s interests and warned that actually charges should be opened up against those who wrongfully sanctioned prompt up charges against the officials.

On May 11, 2009 the Lukiiko (National Assembly) of Buganda sat to discuss a draft of the proposed new land law from Mr. Museveni’s government. Below the Luganda press release by the Buganda minister of Lukiiko Affairs and Information, followed by an English translation (by Buganda Post).

Reaction to the resolutions by ordinary Baganda have been mixed. On one extreme are the polititicaly aware men and women who are not afraid of President Museveni and are frustrated by, what they claim to be the cowardice reflected in the resolution. One of these is one Kampala businessman who said: “It is a shame that while our forefathers and Muteesa II died for Buganda, today’s Lukiiko is even afraid of making Museveni angry by stopping to beg him for our stolen property”. And on the opposite side are those who insist that if we carefully and respectfully tell Mr. Museveni what Buganda wants, he will one day be kind and give everything back to us. This group includes Uganda prime minister Apollo Nsibambi, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya and other staunch supporters Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and Buganda minister Charles Peter Mayiga.

EBITEESO EBIYISIDDWA OLUKIIKO LWA BUGANDA – May 11, 2009

Olukiiko lwa Buganda olutudde olwaleero nga 11 May 2009, lutegedde bulungi ya Ssabawolereza wa Gavumenti ya Ssaabasajja Kabaka ku bbago ly’enkola y’enfuga y’ettaka mu Uganda.  Oluvanyuma lw’okukubaganya ebirowoozo ebiteeso bino wamanga biyisiddwa:

1.   Newankubadde nga waliwo ensonga enkulu ezirambikiddwa mu bbago ly’enkola n’enkozesa y’ettaka eryakasembayo okufuluma, naye wakyaliwo ensonga endala enkulu ennyo eziruma Buganda ez’etaaga okwekenenya n’okukenenula n’obwegendereza nga tetunatuuka ku nzikiriziganya ey’awaamu ku nkola y’enfuga y’ettaka mu Uganda.

2.   Wakyaliwo ettaka lya Buganda lingi erikyali mu mikono gya Gavumenti eyawakati eryanyagibwa nga kyandibadde kirungi Buganda okuwa ebirowoozo ku nkola en’efuga ettaka mu Uganda, ng’ettaka eryo limaze okukomezebwawo eri bannyini lyo abatuufu nga mwemuli n’ettaka lya lukale mu Buganda erimanyiddwa nga erya Mayiro 9000, embuga z’amasaza, amagombolola emiruka n’Ebyaffe bonna omuli ne official Estates.

3.   Olukiiko lusabye Katikkiro wa Buganda ategeeze Gavumenti eya wakati eyamuwereza ebbago ly’enfuga eyo agitegeeze ebiteeso by’olukiiko bino wamu n’ensonga zonna ezirambikiddwa mu kiwandiiko kya Ssaabawolereza wa Gavumneti ya Buganda.

CHARLES PETER MAYIGA
MINISITA W’ENSONGA Z’OLUKIIKO N’AMAWULIRE

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BUGANDA LUKIIKO – MAY 11, 2009

The Buganda Lukiiko which has sat today on May 11, 2009, has fully understood the presentation by the Attorney General of Ssaabasajja Kabaka’s Government on the draft new law intended to govern land administration in Uganda. After discussion, it has been resolved as follows:

1.  Although  there are many important questions which have been addressed in the latest draft of the proposed law, many important issues that negatively affect Buganda remain, which require careful further study and analysis before we can reach comprehensive agreement on how land administration should work in Uganda.

2.  The [Uganda] central government still holds a lot of land that was stolen from Buganda and it would be nice for Buganda to participate in the debate on the law after that land has been returned to its rightful owners, and that includes the 9,000 square miles of [Buganda] native lands, real estate for ssaza (county), ggombolola (sub-county) and miruka (parish) headquarters and all that is ours (“Ebyaffe”), including office estates.

3. The Lukiiko has requested the Katikkiro of Buganda to communicate these resolutions to the [Uganda] central government which sent the draft proposed land law, along with the additional details which have been documented by the Attorney General of the Buganda Government.

CHARLES PETER MAYIGA
MINISITA W’ENSONGA Z’OLUKIIKO N’AMAWULIRE

Five Baganda residents of London, UK, have written a joint email to Buganda Post expressing strong suspicion that Charles Peter Mayiga is reportedly excited about negotiating with Museveni. They base their concerns on Mr. Mayiga’s reputation as one of the architects of Regional Tier agreement which sought to sell the Buganda nation to President Museveni. The brief email is reproduced below with minimal editing:

Muky. Aisha Nankya,

We the undersigned want to express our concern about the emerging close partnership and mutual support between Buganda minister Peter Mayiga and Katikkiro JB Walusimbi on the matter of  negotiating with Museveni on Buganda land.

Our concerns are not unfounded: (1) A few year back Mr. Mayiga, together with Joseph Mulwaanyamuli, John Katende and Apollo Makubuya attempted to sell Buganda when they lied to Ssabasajja Kabaka that the Regional Tier system was perfect for Buganda. And we are confident that Mr. Museveni bribed every one of them, except possibly for Makubuya. (2) When Mr. Mayiga and other Mengo officials stopped in London on their “Kill Ttabamiruka” trip in 2007, he demonstrated the most worrying levels of self-importance. He showed none of the humbleness that is essential for a person serving his nation and, in this case, his Kabaka. (3) We strongly believe that Mr. Mayiga was broken by the August 2008 kidnap experience by Museveni.  Yet we are also mindful that this Mayiga could have been a plant by Museveni, to help him build his image as a “muzira wa Buganda” who Ssabasajja can trust. The bottom-line is his is a genuine coward who is eager to please everybody.

We appeal to Ssabasajja Kabaka Mutebi and to all Baganda to forgive Mayiga for his conspiracy with Katende and Mulwanyaamuli but to stop his attempts to repeat the selling of Buganda. Our Buganda has existed for nearly one thousand years. Why allow the personal needs of a few individuals like JB Walusimbi, Mayiga and  heir co-conspirators into begging for what is ours. Anyway, this time they not have it as easy as Besweli Mulondo did.

Names withheld on request.

On Thursday February 26, Katikkiro JB Walusimbi stood up president Museveni of Uganda when he did not turn up for the much publicized land negotiations between Mmengo and Museveni.  According to our sources, Walusimbi could not go because key members of his cabinet overruled him. They insisted that Mmengo must not negotiate with Museveni about giving up anything to him on his proposed Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008. They argued that it would be disobedience to Kabaka Mutebi who had publicly called it a bad bill and told all Baganda to oppose it. Equally important, they insisted that while talking to Museveni was alright, it must be about full restoration of all Buganda’s property and political rights – not begging.

The problem for Walusimbi is that he had already assured Museveni that he could bring Mmengo to the table to negotiate the contentious Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008. So when the loyal Baganda ministers put their feet down he was left in a fix. And he opted to simply hide from Museveni. One source close to Museveni’s state house told us that: “Museveni is very annoyed that Walusimbi failed to turn up.  The president was made to look like a man who was promised some gold by Congolese con men and left holding a bag full of stones. He has been asking people near him, ‘What is wrong with Baganda?’ ”

It has been widely reported by the local Buganda press that Museveni and JB Walusimbi have been engaged in secret negotiations over Buganda issues since July 2008. What we can exclusively report from a highly reliable source very close to the Katikkiro is that the negotiations primarily focused on how to soften what Museveni, Walusimbi and other NRM big wigs think is Kabaka Mutebi’s excessive power today. Mr. Museveni and the Katikkiro had reportedly reached agreements the following key areas by January 28, 2009:

1. Museveni had convinced JB Walusimbi that if Kabaka Mutebi continued to accumulate so much power over Baganda it could lead to a show down where Baganda like him (Walusimbi) were going to lose lives and their businesses. And the way to control the Kabaka’s escalating influence was to remove Nambooze, Mpanga and Ssegona from CBS Radio and give the Katikkiro more control over Mmengo.
2. Walusimbi had convinced Museveni to pay off government rent arrears owed to Mmengo and authorize another 8 billion shillings to: (1) complete Bulange Plaza, (2) complete Twekobe, (3) pay some salary arrears for Bulange employees, (4) to facilitate (bribe) key Buganda officials and certain key Bataka (clan heads) for support, (5) to settle the debt that state house owed the Katikkiro’s Associated Consulting Engineers company, and (6) to buy support from Baganda peasants by giving them money through an NRM style program called Omumuli which Walusimbi designed with Gilbert Bukenya’s support.
3. The two sides had agreed that to soften Kabaka Mutebi it was important to isolate him more from the Baganda youths who are getting more dangerous, starting with the removal of Betty Nambooze from CBS. Curiously, the two sides had also agreed that the removal of Nambooze could be made simpler if it was accompanied with the firing of highly unpopular Baganda like Tamale Mirundi or Minister Kinobe or even Nsibambi.

What Museveni and Katikkiro Walusimbi could not control are the leaks about their so called secret talks over the months. For example, rumors of Museveni’s willingness to fire Tamale Mirundi or even Nsibambi to appease Baganda first surfaced in early January 2009. Apparently the many leaks helped the intended victims to plan and execute necessary counter moves.

A New York based Muganda thought leader told this reporter that it is the leakages which probably led Museveni to panic and hold that bizarre press conference on February 10, 2009. He said:  “I think that the leaks reached the intended victims at Mmengo Bulange and they fought back with rapid fire on CBS FM radio. Indeed, my contacts tell me that after getting an ISO briefing on the public response to the February 7th Mambo Baado presentation by Mpanga and Nambooze, Museveni decided to temporarily withdraw his Land (Amendment) Bill, 2008.  In effect, ISO people told him that Nambooze and Mpanga had mobilized Baganda youth to a point where public violence was inevitable if the land bill was read in parliament. In fact, in a slip of the toungue, Museveni admitted the role Nambooze and Mpanga in his panicky decision when he told the press conference:  ‘Don’t allow anyone to mislead you that we are withdrawing the bill because of the lies told by Nambooze and Mpanga on CBS radio’.”

Namubiru Juliet Buganda Government’s official website reports that:

The minister for Information, Lukiiko and Cabinet Affairs in Buganda Government, Charles Peter Mayiga has urged people in Buganda to stop being cowards when it comes to issues concerning Buganda Kingdom.

The minister who was attending a Sunday service at Kitende Church of Uganda appealed to people to always come out openly to support Buganda’s developmental issues in order for the Kingdom to achieve its intended goals and objectives instead of shying away whenever Buganda is mentioned.

Mayiga also called on to people to work very hard in order to earn a living for their families which will lead to a stable and successful Buganda Kingdom.

The service was also dedicated to the life the late Kiberu Christopher who worked so hard for the church.

Canon Henry Ntulume from Nateete also appealed to the Christians to make choice in what they do, to identify good priorities and to pay school fees for their children to make them better citizens in the future who will promote Buganda Kingdom.

Last weekend, Lubaga North MP did what no other Muganda politician has ever done in the history of Uganda. She told her political party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the rest of Uganda, in no uncertain terms, that she would put Buganda’s interests before those of FDC if the two conflicted.  She did it publicly and in writing, through a press release (see Beti Kamya: Baganda Must Put Buganda First and Vote As a Block). And, curiously, it very much looks like Beti may be acting on the resolutions that were passed by Ttabamiruka ’08,  the Baganda international conference which she attended in August this year.

Obviously, the FDC top brass have known of Kamya’s “Buganda first” agenda for many months. That is, since Besigye, Wafula Ogutu, Salam Musumba and Anne Mugisha, with tacit support form Sam Njuba, manipulated the FDC constitution, NRM style, to make sure that Kamya could not replace the late Hajji Sulaiman Kiggundu.  It has been months since Kamya outted Besigye as a Museveni-style dictator. To punish Beti, Wafula Ogutu and Anne Mugisha have planted numerous new stories, especially in the Indian owned The Monitor.  Monitor writers have written stories accusing Kamya of incompetence, blind ambition, spying for NRM, recklessness and any other character damaging attribute that the FDC brass got time to approve.  And Kamya has fought back, paralyzing the FDC’s activities in Buganda by successfully persuading Baganda FDC members not to participate in the party’s branch election within the kingdom.

Kamya took her “Buganda first” leadership to a totally another level when she internationalized it at Ttabamiruka ’08 in the USA.   At the annual Baganda international conference,  Kamya  found a few hundred well educated and very loyal Baganda who proved fertile soil for her words along with the popular  “Let’s have a divorce” message from Kyanjo. The Ttabamiruka Baganda fell in love with Beti’s declaration that total loyalty to Ssabasajja Kabaka and Buganda interests would guide all her future political actions.

Beti Kamya did not specifically refer to Ttabamiruka ’08 or its resolutions in her press release of last Saturday . However, Beti’s writings are in many ways aligned with the Ttabamiruka ’08 resolutions.  A contact within the Ttabamiruka community has told this columnist that Kamya’s press release has generated excitement in London and USA, especially around New York and Washington.  The contact said: “Many of us in the Ttabamiruka family see Beti’s press release as a signal that she is a woman of her word. She is acting on what we agreed on in New Jersey, especially abandoning cowardice, stopping the begging and getting Buganda rights debated across the kingdom.”

The Ttabamiruka ’08 resolutions in English are reproduced below. The Luganda version is at Ttabamiruka ‘08 Resolutions – Luganda Version.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

WE, THE CONFEREES AT THE TTABAMIRUKA 2008 IN NEW JERSEY

HAVING OBSERVED THAT:
-That the current governance of Buganda is devoid of Justice.
-That a governance without Justice breeds poverty, violence and corruption. We have observed these problems in Uganda since 1966 and continue to do so.
-We accept that it is our duty to reform the governance of our nation.

DO THEREBY RESOLVE:
1. That we are firm in our allegiance to our Ssabasajja Kabaka, traditions and customs, and we thank Ssabasajja Kabaka for his gracious message to the conference.

2. That we have abandoned cowardice, laziness and self effacement in our quest for Freedom and Justice. No officer of the Kingdom of Buganda may beg for Justice as a favour from anybody.

3. That we are proud of the courage and obedience to Ssabasajja Kabaka shown by His servants Betty Nambooze, Charles Mayega and Medard Lubega,and pledge to be as courageous as they are.

4. That it is the urgent duty of all Baganda, acting through their offices, associations and parties, to enter into direct discussions with the other peoples of Uganda on the terms of union and governance that are acceptable to all, and to draft a new Basic Law of the Land in accord with Buganda’s interests.

5. That such discussions must be based on the recognition that:
-Uganda is and remains an entity created and owned by the 14 ancient African Nations whose symbols are inscribed on the walls of the Parliament of Uganda, which came together in 1962 and agreed on the Independence constitution.
- Buganda, upon entering that agreement, was an independent nation that left British rule on October 8, 1962.
-These ancient nations created the central government to administer their common purpose, not to be an overlord.
- The assets and duties of the Central Government are granted to it by the assent of the ancient African nations that formed it. The central government has otherwise no proper title to such assets and has no right to apportion them at its pleasure.

6. That the right of the Baganda to administer Buganda internally, including control of governance and land, is not negotiable and may not be negotiated by any officer of the Kingdom. The Baganda recognize the right of the other nationalities in Uganda to assert a similar claim.

We urge all Baganda to debate these matters in their neighbourhoods, in their clans and in their councils and to publish their opinions .

We have reported these resolutions to Ssabasajja Kabaka through his representative where we are seated – 31 August 2008.

On Sunday September 9, 2008, Kabaka’s Deputy Minister for Information, Medard Lubega Sseggona, vowed to remain loyal to Kabaka Mutebi and keep on fighting for Buganda’s native land that were stolen by the Uganda Government in 1996, as well as political and human rights. Lubega was speaking at the launching of Mpuuga Cup in Masaka, Buddu, which is sponsored by Kabaka’s Deputy Minister of Youth, Mathias Mpuuga.

The tough-talking Lubega told the excited crowd that when President Museveni’s government kidnapped him and held him hostage for about 10 days in August this year, the experience only increased his resolve and strength to continue fighting for Buganda’s rights. He explained the only reason for his arrest and that of Betty Nambooze and Charles Mayiga was because they were publically fighting for Baganda’s land rights.

On January 27, 2008, Sekanyolya requested Katikkiro Walusimbi to "drop" Gilbert Bukenya and start to lead. This was when newly appointed Walusimbi had jointly appeared at ceremonies with Museveni’s Vice President Bukenya, where he publically advocated for negotiations between Kabaka Mutebi and Mr. Museveni. The events that have unfolded in Buganda over the last ten days seem to confirm that Sekanyolya’s legal advisor was corrrect after all when he said "“I know J B well but we must wait before we can say whether he has the guts and strategic skills to match even 50% of Muliika." Sekanyola’s full posting of January 27, 2008 is reproduced below:

Katikkiro Walusimbi Urged To Drop Bukenya And Start Leading

The word on Ganda Street is that, based on first impressions, Katikkiro J B Walusimbi needs to change gears fast if he is to allay Baganda’s fears that he might too politically naïve to deal with the extermination war that Museveni is waging against Buganda. One Makerere Nkoba za Mbogo student echoed the feelings of most in Sekanyolya’s favorite Nakulabye joint when he said, “The problem with Walusimbi is that he does not understand that images matter. It was a disgrace that, he chose to announce his new plans for Buganda in the company of Gilbert Bukenya, a Museveni boot licker. Bukenya represents the most negative things about Baganda and has no use for us 80% of Baganda who are younger than 30 years, poor, unemployed, being chased off their land, and helpless.” Sekanyolya’s Kampala legal consultant, who is a fixture in the Nakulabye joint, went as far as accusing Sekanyolya of misleading Baganda that Walusimbi will not disappoint them as Katikkiro (See “Kabaka Appoints Highly Credible Muganda Katikkiro and Brings Muliika Back to Mmengo”. He said, “I know J B well but we must wait before we can say whether he has the guts and strategic skills to match even 50% of Muliika. The only major things that Walusimbi has done so far is say that he wants Baganda to stop talking and start working but he also wants to negotiate with Museveni. Is he trying to tell Baganda that he is the only one allowed to talk – with Bukenya and Museveni – the way Katende, Mulwaanyamuli, Mayiga and Makubuya did? If I could, I would urge J B to shift gears away from Mmengo’s old focus on Museveni and his men. If he wants Baganda to work then he must first assure them that he is a solid leader capable of resisting Museveni’s conspiracies. But he cannot do that when his favorite hobby is hanging out with Museveni’s Bukenya, schoolmate and fellow Catholic or not.”