Buganda’s information minister Charles Peter Mayiga, his deputy Medard Lubega and the chairperson of the Civic Education Committee Betty Nambooze were arrested on Friday, allegedly for inciting violence, promoting sectarianism, attempts to acquire fire-arms and terrorism. Lubega’s arrest came a few hours before the start of a major Buganda Conference on land, governance and human rights. Nambooze and Mayiga were picked up a few hours after the conference. According to sources close to the Uganda State House the arrests appear to have been precipitated by fear, on the part of government, that the trio might use the highly successful Buganda Conference as a fuel to energize their campaign against Mr. Museveni’s proposed land law.

On July 20th the Kabaka’s government issued a press release officially announcing what is now widely believed in Buganda to be a coordinated effort to intimidate the people of Buganda. (English and Luganda versions of the press release were posted on www.bugandapost.com) The Buganda kingdom cabinet had met and resolved to use peaceful means to secure the release of their officials. During the cabinet meeting hundreds of youth gathered outside the Bulange, chanting the Buganda anthem, holding signs denouncing the NRM government and offering their services towards securing the release of the political prisoners. At the time of this report the where abouts of the three Buganda officials were still unknown. According to legal experts in Kampala the continued detention of the three officials without being produced in court is illegal under Uganda laws. They explained that Uganda laws require the police to take anyone they arrest to court within fourty-eight hours. Further more, given the gravity of the allegations by Mr. Museveni’s government, the officials should be presented to a high court. More details on this important story will follow as it unfolds.