Thanks to pressure from ordinary Baganda and politicians who are scared of losing votes in Buganda, Uganda’s life president Yoweri Museveni, would like to reopen Buganda’s CBS FM Radio now. However the prospects of this happening appear poor, given the growing number of power centers that oppose it and his own crude stubbornness.

Museveni erected the first hurdle when he decided to set what many observers consider unreasonable conditions, for rescinding the illegal closure of the most popular radio station in Uganda. The ridiculous conditions, even by the standards of donor governed Uganda, included firing all presenters who annoyed Ugandan president in the past, moving the radio station headquarters to a location more agreeable to the NRM government, only airing cultural programs and, most incredibly, dropping legal cases that CBS employees filed against government.

According to local press reports, the Buganda minister of information, Owek. Medard Lubega Ssegona, reacted swiftly, saying in Luganda: “Tetuyinza kuwaayo Bwakabaka  batuweemu leediyo. Obukwakkulizo bwa gavumenti bumenya Konsitityusoni n’amateeka amalala.” (“We cannot surrender our kingdom in exchange for a radio station. The [NRM] government’s demands are illegal.”). At the same time, a sources in Mmengo told us that Katikkiro Walusimbi and other businessmen in Buganda Government want to negotiate with Museveni on the conditions but are simply overwhelmed by the other forces.

The most formidable force against opening of CBS under Museveni’s arbitrary conditions is the Baganda masses and the Bataka (clan elders). This group, which also includes CBS Fans Club and the more nationalistic members of Buganda government, misses the radio station most and is putting most pressure on Museveni to re-open it. However, they are strongly opposed to the reopening if it will lead to changes in their radio station’s format or presenters. Although Kabaka Mutebi is quiet on the issue, word on the Baganda street is that he is fully with his subjects and the Bataka (as Ssabataka, Kabaka Mutebi is part of the Bataka).

Also strongly opposed for the reopening are Baganda members of the Ugandan opposition political parties, DP, FDC and UPC. Most of these political types would like CBS to remain closed until the 2011 elections to maximize Baganda anger and anti-NRM feelings. Joyce Nabbosa Sebugwaawo is a strong activist in the Bakiga/Banyankore led FDC and she quoted by the local press saying: “Gavumenti ekole ky’eyagala bwe baliyagala baligizzaako. Obukwakkulizo bwe batutaddeko tebujja kukola era tubugaanyi. Banaffe oba basazeewo kukola nga bannakyemalira, katubaleke bagende mu maaso.” (“Let the government do whatever they want. Whenever they decide they can reopen it. The conditions they have imposed are impractical and we rejected them. Our colleagues have chosen to be dictators, we will let them go ahead.”)

Others opposed to the CBS opening, but possibly working independently, are disgruntled NRMs who feel betrayed by Museveni. One example is Janat Mukwaya, who, according to state house sources, Museveni is anxious to drop. Mrs. Mukwaya reportedly knows this and she has already decided not to run for re-election in 2011. But she is privately afraid about her future, including the personal safety of her family because of the anti-Baganda crimes she has committed on behalf of  the Museveni who is now dumping her. Another one is Museveni’s vice president Gilbert Bukenya, who is seeing red over the not so subtle murder of his son followed by the the highly public ridicule by Museveni and Tamale Mirundi over the CHOGOM car scandal. These two and other disillusioned NRMs, reportedly now have individual “Ffena tufiirwe” (“If I lose everyone must lose”) agendas in connection with CBS Radio.  In general, they are pushing for CBS to remain closed so that hatred for Museveni and Banyankore in Buganda may increase. Short term agendas.

A Banyankore owned pornographic newspaper in Uganda has fired the first shot in the much awaited NRM campaign to undermine Kabaka Mutebi’s authority and influence among increasingly nationalistic Baganda, masses over the next 9 months. The Red Pepper, which was originally sponsored by Museveni’s brother Salim Saleh and run by Banyankore and Bakiga, claims that the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, signed a secret with Dr. Kizza Besigye over the future of Buganda.

Since Museveni was forced to cancel his tour of Buganda, in late 2009, due to hostile questions about CBS Radio by peasants, there has been chatter in Kampala’s Balaalo political circles and from sources close to his state house that a new plan to neutralize Kabaka Mutebi in the works. Its objective is to minimize the influence of the the Lion of Buganda on 2011 elections. Key contributors and advisors to the plan include Museveni himself, one Mafabi, Tamale Mirundi, Robert Sebunya, Karoor Okurut, Joseph Kakooza, Sam Kuteesa, Salim Saleh, Haj. Katongole, Robert Kabushenga, Freddie Ruhindi, an unnamed Indian and others. At least two Mmengo officials, who cannot be named at this time, in order to protect our sources, have also contributed. All run businesses that heavily rely on Museveni’s government contracts.

A seasoned former Mmengo official with extensive contacts among closet Baganda nationalists in the NRM occupation government has told Buganda Post that the Red Pepper story had fingerprints of ISO and Museveni’s statehouse and seems to be the start of a campaign against the Kabaka. He explained: “These chaps are masters at throwing together loose facts and sprinkling a little speculation on them to fabricate fake anti-Buganda stories. And they do it with confidence that,  in the absence of an opposing response from Mmengo, Baganda will believe the lies over time. For example, it is an open secret that a large majority of Mmengo officials have bought into claims by Mayiga, Walusimbi, Makubuya, Jolly Lutaaya and retired Bishop Nkoyoyo, that Buganda’s future is at the mercy of Uganda politicians like Besigye and Museveni.

“It is also an open secret that the NRM, DP and FDC have infiltrated Mmengo. And most Buganda officials, including seemingly nationalist Nambooze, Lubega, Mpuuga and Mpanga frequently face a conflict between their personal or political ambitions and Buganda’s national interests. In fact is also an open secret that many of these Mmengo officials routinely lie to and mislead Kabaka Mutebi, simply to protect their personal interests. Other equally public information is that there are also high-profile Baganda political figures like Kyanjo and Nsubuga Nsambu, who have spine and publicly insist that the future of Baganda is up to Baganda.”

Our analyst explains that the Red Pepper story takes these pieces of common knowledge and uses them to create a fake story whose only goal is to make Kabaka Mutebi look like a coward who is putting the future of his kingdom in the hands of a Mukiga man whose political career is based on a long term fight with Museveni over a Mulaalo woman.  According to the analyst, Museveni’s people know that if this image of a weak and Besigye-worshiping Kabaka Mutebi becomes strong in the minds of young Baganda and those in the diaspora, his popularity will quickly fade. In their evil minds, Museveni’s team reason that if Baganda start to believe that their Kabaka is beholden to Besigye, then they will be so demoralized that they will abandon Buganda nationalist dreams.

The analyst asks: “If Kabaka Mutebi signed an agreement with Besigye, under what law did they sign it; Museveni’s law? Are all Baganda stupid enough that merely signing a piece of paper would stop Besigye from even abolishing kingdoms after becoming the new Uganda dictator? Museveni and NRM are using the Red Pepper to make the Kabaka of Buganda appear beholded to this Mukiga called Besigye.”

Below is the Red Pepper story that analysts believe was planted by the NRM occupation government to humiliate Baganda and their Kabaka:

Besigye, Kabaka Sign Secret Deal
(Red Pepper – January 18, 2010)

The Mengo establishment has secretly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President Museveni’s leading political rival, Col. Dr Kizza Besigye. The development was a result of pressure from some Buganda clan leaders, advisors of the Kabaka, and opinion and religious leaders. Red Pepper has reliably learnt that the MoU was signed about a month ago. A decision was also taken to keep it top secret for fear that its leakage might annoy the Central government and further delay the reopening of CBS radio.

Recall that at all its sittings last year, the Lukiiko (Buganda Kingdom Parliament) consistently urged the Kabaka to reciprocate NRM hostility by openly fraternising with its political rivals. The Lukiiko members advanced two reasons. The one was the fact that most NRM rivals had been active in defending the Kabaka against the Central government. The other was that openly fraternising with the opposition would increase Mengo’s relevance among anti-NRM Baganda. This was also seen as the only way to blackmail the NRM into giving in to Buganda’s demands.

DETAILS
NRM cadres have always dismissed Besigye’s promise of Federo to Mengo as mere political rhetoric, questioning why he doesn’t put it in writing. Red Pepper has learnt that to neutralise such criticism, Besigye has put a list of concessions to Mengo in writing.The concessions have been attached on the secret MoU. Some of them are: Unconditionally returning what Buganda perceives as their 9,000 square miles (mairo akenda), County headquarters (embuga z’amasaza), and all schools and institutions in the central region that once belonged to Buganda kingdom.

Other properties Besigye commits himself to returning include Butikkiro (Katikkiro’s residence) which is currently occupied by the Joint Clinical Research Centre, and all the titles for land (in government hands/use) that is owned by Buganda kingdom. The Supreme Court building in Mengo is another property whose return Buganda continues to demand.  Arguing that returning all these at once would paralyse government operations, the Central government has been dragging its feet and promising to pay rent to Mengo, in vain.
As we write, Mengo is demanding billions of shillings in rent arrears. In fact as of June 2009 (when Mengo read its 2009/10 budget), the arrears stood at about Shs9bn. Lukiiko members then directed Attorney General Apollo Makubuya to sue the government for court to force a pay-up or Government vacates the premises.

BESIGYE VS MAO
Our ever reliable sources revealed that Mengo ministers were initially divided on the Besigye/Kabaka MoU.
The Majority agreed that since he was likely to remain the second most popular Ugandan politician after Museveni for many years to come, Besigye was the best ally Mengo could have. Others preferred Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao. Saying DP was seen as a Baganda party more than the FDC, the pro-Mao Mengo ministers had argued that the secret MoU should be signed with him (Mao) instead.

This, however, failed for a number of reasons, including consideration that the Kabaka personally believes in Besigye more than in Mao.The other reason was that it would take years for Mao to obtain the size of political following Besigye currently enjoys nationally.The never-ending squabbles in DP also worked against Mao. The party was contrasted with Besigye’s FDC which appears to be relatively more organised, with a predictable future.

Some Mengo officials wanted none of the two parties, saying they were both not Baganda. They argued that Mengo should instead flock with Bidandi Ssali’s People’s Progressive Party, Kibirige Mayanja’s JEEMA or Dr Abed Bwanika’s PDP.All these were, however, rejected after a research confirmed that they had little chance to win even within Buganda region.

MENGO CONCESSIONS
To reciprocate Besigye’s big concessions, Mengo will ensure more FDC-friendly Baganda are given more visible roles both in its establishment and in organising the Kabaka’s mobilisation tours in future. In fact, sources revealed, since a good number of his ministers are eying parliamentary seats, the Kabaka will announce a new cabinet in the last 10 months to the next general elections. This reform will also be reflected in the Katikkiro’s department. Because Eng. J. B. Walusimbi’s four-year contract ends in 2012, his deputies will either be asked to become prolific in bashing the NRM, or be replaced with more militant names of the Dan Muliika brand.

In fact, Muliika might be recalled either as Deputy Katikkiro or to serve in a powerful ministerial position that will allow him do political mobilisation like he did in the run-up to 2006 elections and shortly after. The other concession will be reflected in Besigye and other opposition leaders being allowed to address crowds at public functions graced by the Kabaka this year. The optimism Mengo has in Besigye perhaps explains what we saw last week at Najjanankumbi when FDC nominations placed  Besigye against Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu.

One of them is to face off as a party flag bearer with President Museveni in 2011. All known FDC officials with linkages at Mengo openly embraced Besigye against Muntu. These included Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, Joyce Sebugwawo, Sam Njuba (Kabaka’s personal friend) and Prof. Bwogi Kanyerezi (brother to Joyce who mothers Daudi Mpanga and Kabaka’s Principal Private Secretary Peter Mpanga).

According to the  July 8, 2010 issue of NRM government mouthpiece, the New Vision newspaper, Buganda minister of information, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has disowned popular Buganda Hussein Kyanjo’s statements that, if  Museveni’s government fails to adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law, the people of Buganda would take up arms. The New Vision further says that Owek. Mayiga dismissed Kyanjo’s the remarks as his (Kyanjo’s) personal opinion. Mayiga is quoted as saying:“Kyanjo is not the spokesperson of the Buganda kingdom. He is not a Mmengo official. Those remarks he made were his personal opinion.” However, there is no indication that Mayiga explained his claim that Mmengo officials represent the kingdom of Buganda.

Museveni’s New Vision says that Owek. Mayiga explained Mmengo’s disagreement with Kyanjo by saying: “Our strongest weapon is dissemination of information regarding our legitimate cause. If voters are informed, they don’t need to pick up arms to get what they want because our Constitution says power belongs to people.”

When Buganda Post contacted a prominent lawyer and Buganda analyst based in the United Kingdom, he responded that both Mayiga and Kyanjo refer to the Museveni’s constitution appropriately but if Mayiga is quoted correctly then he is being dishonest. The analyst also questioned Mayiga’s alleged claim that only Mmengo speaks for Buganda. The analyst explained: “Mayiga focuses on Article 1 of Museveni’s constitution, which says ‘power belongs to the people’. Mayiga, Makubuya and ordinary Baganda know that by bribing MPs to change presidential term limits, invading Congo without consulting parliament, ignoring the popular call for Federo, stealing elections and committing similar illegal acts, Museveni and the NRM usurped the people’s power and broke the constitution.

“Unlike Mayiga, Kyanjo is reading both Article 1 and Article 3 of Museveni’s constitution. And Article 3 says that ‘(4) All citizens of Uganda have a right and duty to protect the Constitution.’ and ‘(5) Any person who defends and protects the Constitution commits no offence…’ without limiting the means of defending the constitution. Mayiga and Makubuya know that Kyanjo’s position is 100% correct and legal under Article 3. It appears that  they have been compromised either by personal interests and mere cowardice.”

On the matter of who speaks for Buganda, our analyst first clarifies that, for centuries, Baganda believe that power in Buganda is vested in the institution of Kabaka, since, as Ssabataka who is not tied to one clan, he can lead and guide all Bataka and their grandchildren (Baganda) wisely and fairly. That is why the Kabaka consults and weighs everything very carefully before he speaks and why Baganda do not criticize him publicly. The top Mmengo official is the Katikkiro of Buganda, who is appointed by the Kabaka, after wide consultation with clan leaders, religious leaders and many other Baganda. All Mmengo officials are deemed to have been appointed by Kabaka and to speak for Buganda but, in reality, they are screened and selected by the Katikkiro and other Mmengo officials before presentation to the Kabaka.

He then said: “If you compare the strong statements and decisions that Kabaka Mutebi has made over Federo, Buganda land, the attempted firing of Nambooze from CBS and freedom and justice for Baganda and those made by Walusimbi and Mayiga you can see that the Katikkiro and his friend are outright disobeying the Kabaka. Don’t forget that that it was Mayiga, John Katende, Apollo Makubuya and Katikkiro Ssemwogerere who lied to Kabaka and Buganda that Museveni’s Regional Tier was good for Buganda in 2006. If Mmengo speaks for Buganda, why did the Buganda Lukiiko soundly reject Regional Tier on February 7, 2006?

“Baganda are not stupid. They can see when Mmengo is no longer serving the Kabaka or his subjects’ interests. If that is the case, then how can Mmengo claim to be to only spokesmen for the Kingdom? Mmengo is not even recognized in Museveni’s constitution, which Mayiga constantly quotes!  I disagree. I think that by siding with and appeasing the occupation NRM government so frequently, Mmengo has lost the minds and hearts of Baganda. Ordinary Baganda, who are 80% youths, are more interested in what Nambooze or Kyanjo or Nsambu or Ssemujju says than what Walusimbi or Mayiga announces. In reality, Nambooze, Kyanjo,  Nsubuga Nsambu and Ssemujju speak more for Buganda than the compromised Mmengo leaders. That is why Kabaka Mutebi has found himself having to speak out, to cancel the misinformation by Walusimbi and Mayiga. The bottom line is, every Muganda now has a duty to fight for Buganda’s freedom from the current armed occupation.”

On January 6, 2010 Ekiba Kibe program, which is broadcast to cellular telephones via multi-media message service (MMS), has accused Mmengo of incompetence and appealed to Baganda to realize that they do not need to rely on Mmengo to fight for Buganda’s rights and freedom (see “Mmengo Is Unqualified To Fight For Buganda, Diaspora MMS Radio Says“.)

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.

The Chairman of Kabaka Mutebi’s Buganda Civic Education Committee and leading Muganda radio personality, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, is expected to return home from South Africa today. Nambooze went to South Africa for emergency medical treatment three weeks ago after serious efforts by the NRM occupation government to deny her quality medical treatment (see “Museveni Commits Crimes Against Humanity, Denies Nambooze Medical Care”).

According to family sources, Ms. Nambooze is feeling much better after undergoing extensive medical testing and receiving treatment to stabilize her condition. She is also well rested and stronger. Madam Tica (Teacher), as Nambooze is popularly known to her fans, is expected to return to South Africa very early next year to undergo surgery in the abdominal area.

According to Betty Nambooze, her medical problems were created by Mr. Museveni’s occupation government and its operatives. For several years now, Betty Nambooze has told her CBS FM radio listeners that when she was arrested in Mukono for opposing land grabbing by Juma Seiko, the police forcibly injected her with a strange chemical. Juma Seiko is an army man who doubles as an aide to Museveni’s half brother, Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh). Then, in 2007, Museven’s NRM government kidnapped Nambooze for nearly a week shortly after she had given birth by C-section. The wound ruptured as Ms. Nambooze was in captivity, leading to long term complications. Also kidnapped were Buganda ministers Lubega Sseggona and Peter Mayiga. The man in charge of the kidnap operations was a Mulaalo named David Tinyefuza.

On CBS FM radio, Nambooze enjoyed a radio an estimated audience of 5 million listeners. However, as of Monday evening, no major public welcome event that matches Nambooze’s popularity had been announced. In the meantime, police sources have revealed that the Rwandese command of the Uganda occupation police, Karyekeezi Kayihura, has prepared a force of a few hundred men on standby to crush any Baganda demonstrations.

The Government of Buganda has published the press conference on the second Buganda Conference, slated for December 2009. The government is bravely taking on this challenge in the midst of a military occupation by Uganda’s NRM government, led by Yoweri Museveni. Most Buganda analysts think that it is too early to tell what Museveni will do about the conference.

The press conference, which appears on the official Buganda website, www.buganda.or.ug, is reproduced in full below:

BUGANDA CONFERENCE FOR 17TH DECEMBER 2009

Buganda Kingdom is organizing the second annual Buganda Conference to be held on the 17th December, 2009 at Hotel Africana under the theme “a Federo System of Governance for Uganda”.

The conference is an annual event graced by the Kabaka of Buganda with an aim of creating a platform for debate and interactions on the Kingdom’s issues.

According to the chairman organizing committee who also doubles as the Kingdom’s attorney general, Apollo Makubuya, the conference is expected to attract over 1000 participants from across the country.

He explained that discussion on federalism for Uganda is very important because many people have mistaken it to be an issue for only Buganda.

According to Makubuya, the conference will enlighten people within and outside Buganda that federo is not about Buganda seceding from Uganda or attaining a superior position but to grant power through the law to people in various parts of the country to work on developing their regions.

He added that the conference will also discuss the regional tier government among other issues and why Buganda Kingdom does not want it.

Makubuya reassured that the conference will be addressed by prominent scholars from various parts of Uganda and renowned international scholars on federalism from countries like Nigeria, USA and the United Kingdom among others.

He explained that unlike last year’s conference which was free of entry, this year’s event will require registration with a fee of 25000 Ugandan shillings each. He added that this fee has been set to help the organizers in the preparations of a successful event.

The conference was first held last year as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 15th coronation anniversary. However, due to the numerous problems encountered this year, the Kingdom was forced to shift the event to a later date.

Given it’s success last year, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was greatly impressed and resolved that the conference be held annually.

The conference which was themed “Development and Governance of Buganda in Uganda” attracted several scholars including renowned Professors Ali Mazurui and Mahmood Mamdhani among others.

It should however be remembered that last year’s conference was interfered with by the arrest of three Buganda Officials Medard Sseggona Lubega, Charles Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze Bakireke. Sseggona was arrested early morning before kick off of the conference while Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze were captured late night after the conference. The trio were held hostage and incommunicado for a week during which they were dragged into several cells in various parts of Western Uganda including Bundibujo, Masindi, Ibanda, Kabarole, Kagadi Fort Portal and Kyenjojo.

The sale of invitation cards to the public shall be announced very soon.

President Museveni ordered the closure of Kabaka’s CBS FM Radio after learning that the organizers of Ssabasajja’s tour of Bugerere had used it so effectively mobilize Baganda.  By Tuesday CBS the information put out on CBS by “commander” Betty Nambooze, the chief organizers of Kabaka’s tour of Bugerere has become so effective that some Mmengo officials were estimating that a few hundred thousand people would accompany Ssabasajja. When Wednesday came, the commitments exploded, especially after rumors spread that Kabaka Mutebi told Museveni off in a phone conversation.

In a clear sign that Museveni was losing control the Banyarwanda community, who are deeply entrenched in Museveni’s intelligence agencies, announced that they support Kabaka’s visit and donated twenty lorries. Similarly, Nubians, Iteso, Basoga and other communities started calling on all their members to accompany Kabaka Mutebi to Bugerere. Even FDC’s Besigye went to CBS FM to challenge Baganda who keep saying “woligwa wendigwa” to prove their commitment by going to Kayunga; promising that he was going himself. Soon Baganda analysts were estimating that about 1 million Baganda and others would be in Kayunga on Saturday.

According to state house sources, after the Kampala riots on Thursday, Museveni was advised by Robert Kabushenga and Temale Mirundi that hell would break lose by Friday if CBS Radio was left to control the news. Museveni instructed the Rwandese chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Godfrey Mutabaazi, to switch off both CBS channels,  88.8 and 89.2. The two FM stations went off the air a little after 5:30 PM on Thursday.

The local press has quoted Buganda’s  information Minister, Medard Lubega Sseggona saying that military officials had forcefully switched off the main mast that is erected at Buziga Hill in Kampala. However, the disconnection would not affect the planned Youth Day Celebrations at Kayunga. The Kayunga celebrations are scheduled for Saturday September 12, 2009.

At the time of posting this report, the organizers had gone to Plan B, using SMS messages to continue taking directions from the Nambooze committee.

According to an unaccredited news story on the Buganda Government official website, Buganda’s Central Civic Education Committee has resumed its campaign against the campaign anti-Buganda policies and laws by the NRM government. Its scope has, reportedly, been redefined to put more emphasis on the Federo system of governance.

The committee, which was personally appointed by Ssabasajja Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi, is credited for awakening Baganda to the reality that Mr. Museveni and his NRM are committed to destroy Buganda through unjust and discriminative laws such as the Land Act. It is chaired by the indefatigable and exceptionally popular Betty Nambooze.

Frustrated by the effectiveness of Kabaka’s Central Civic Education Committee, president Museveni ordered the kidnap and torture of Betty Nambooze and two other Buganda officials, Peter Mayiga and Medard Lubega Ssegona in August 2008 (see “Museveni Quietly Retreats On Fake Nambooze and Lubega Case“). After several days of police torture and depravation, Mr. Museveni ordered the release of all three Baganda under pressure from human rights groups, United States and other foreign aid donors and a defiant Baganda population.

The article on the official Buganda Government website is reproduced below.

CENTRAL CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE RESUMES DUTIES

By Our Reporter

Buganda’s Central Civic Education Committee has resumed its duties and this time it will put much more emphasis on the essence of a federo system of governance to every one across Buganda and Uganda in relation to Ssaabasajja Kabaka’s call for truth and justice.

The committee started with a one day sensitization workshop for all its members in which it was agreed that the theme “truth and justice” is quite extensive and require absolute attention.

Committee members further agreed that with truth and justice in place, the Kingdom will live in harmony since most of the injustices will be dealt away with.

The workshop was opened by an official for community mobilization in the office of the 1st deputy Katikkiro, Ssewava Sserubiri who also emphasized that where there is justice, there is likely to be no encroachment on other people’s land and no oppression from anyone which will lead to fundamental development in the Kingdom.

The Member of Parliament for Kampala Central, Erias Lukwago who is also a committee member advised that Buganda should come out and put to task all the members of parliament from this region to show their stand on the issue of federo. Lukwago argued that this will help the Kingdom to determine the support for federo in the Ugandan parliament and be able to vote wisely in the forth coming elections.

The chairperson of the committee, Betty Nambooze Bakireke announced a new system of mobilization whereby telephone contacts of everyone in Buganda will be obtained and various messages on various issues will be sent to every one in Buganda for development purposes.

The workshop was closed by the minister of state for research in Buganda Kingdom, David Mpanga who said that the recess period has been so useful because members have been able to identify their weaknesses which have been ironed out and are ready to face their prey with no major obstacles.

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!”.

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.