The oldest Baganda nationalist organization, Abazzukulu ba Buganda, have issued a statement announcing that they will hold special ceremonies to mark 44 years since the government of Uganda occupied the Kingdom of Buganda by force of arms. The ceremonies, on May 24, 2010, will start with a congregation at the main gate (Wankaaki) of the Kabaka’s Palace (Lubiri) at Mmengo at 8:00 AM. One hour later, at 9:00 AM the sons and daughters of occupied Buganda will match for 5 kilometers (just over 3 miles) to the Kasubi Tombs site. At Kasubi, the Baganda will hold a seminar on Buganda national issues.

 Below is the full text of the announcement in Luganda.

 Eri Obuganda

OKUKUNGUBAGA OLWA BUGANDA OKUWEZA EMYAKA 44 MU BUWAMBE

(24^th May 1966 – 24^th May 2010)

Nga 24 May 2010, gigenda kuwera emyaka Ana mw’ena (44) bukya gavumenti ya Uganda ewamba Buganda. Olunaku olwo amagye ga gavumenti ya Uganda lwe gaalumba Ssekabaka Muteesa mu Lubiri eMmengo gye yeerwanirako n’asimattuka okumutta n’agenda mu buwanganguse e Bungereza gye yagyira omukono mu ngabo mu 1969.

Kw’olwo endagano ya 1962 eyali eggatta Buganda ku Uganda mu ngeri eya kyeyagalire lwe yamenyebwaawo. N’olwekyo okuva olwo Uganda yeekakaatika bwekakaatisi ku Buganda. Buganda teri mu Uganda lwa kweyagalira wabula ekakibwa bukakibwa ku maanyi ga mmndu. Buganda eri mu buwambe okuv’olwo.

Olw’ensonga eyo buli lunaku lwa 24^th May bwe lutuuka Abaganda abakimanyi era abakyalumirirwa  Obuganda bakungubaga. Okukungubaga kuno kubaamu okutambula okuva mu Lubiri lw’eMMengo okutuuka e Kasubi Nnabulagala mu masiro g’aba Ssekabaka gye bakkomekkereza okukungubaga okwo n’omusomo ogukwata ku buwambe Buganda mweri.

Okukungubaga kuno kukulemberwamu Olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu ba Buganda okuva mu 1999. N’omwaka guno, nga 24^th May 2010, okukungubaga kuno kugenda kubaawo. Abaganda abalumirirwa Obuganda abasobola bajja kukung’anira ku wankaaki w’olubiri lwe Mmengo ku makya ku ssaawa bbiri we bajja okusimbula ku ssaawa satu ez’okumakya batambule okugenda e Kasubi ewanaabeera omusomo ogukwata ku nsonga za Buganda.

Olukiiko lwa Bazzukulu ba Buganda lukusaba okwetaba mu kukungubaga kuno, era n’okuyamba mu nteekateeka yaakwo. Mu ngeri yonna (eg SMS) kkunga Obuganda okukungubaga ku lunaku olwo, sondayo ku nsimbi z’okupangisa ebikozesebwa n’okusaasaanya ebiwandiiko by’omusomo ogunaakolebwa kw’olwo, etc.

Olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu ba Buganda lwamerawo mu 1985 olw’obwetaavu bw’okuzzaawo Buganda nga bwe yali. Jjukira nti Buganda Ggwanga ttonde eryatondebwa Katonda nga Ttongole. Okuva mu 1985, olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu ba Buganda lutuula buli lunaku olw’okubiri mu wiiki. Buli muzzukulu wa Buganda wa ddenbe okukiika mu Lukiiko luno kasita taleetamu bitiibwa bye, byabufuzi bye, ddiini ye oba enzikiriza endala yonna ekontana oba evuganya n’obwetaavu bw’okwetengerera kwa Buganda. 

Alina ky’abuuza ku nsonga eyo kuba ku ssimu y’omuteesiteesi eno 0772534210.

M. Junju Kamulali

(Ssentebe)

New Vision newspaper, the NRM Government mouthpiece,  has quoted the minster of gender and social development, Gabriel Opio saying that the Kasubi Tombs are partly owned by the republic of Uganda. According to the April 9, 2010 edition of the New Vision, the 65 year old Opio who comes from Samia-Bugwe, said: “The site is owned by three partners, Buganda, Uganda and UNESCO, and there is a role for each. The Government makes sure there are proper designs and a plan ahead of the reconstruction.”  To many Baganda, the statements open the possibility that, in future, the NRM government may have exercise the claim to ownership to influence who gets buried at Kasubi and who does not and what Baganda cultural practices continue to be observed in the sacred buildings.

In the same news report, the New Vision quotes a man, Lazare Eloundou, who claims to be a UNESCO official saying: “We have conducted several working sessions, both with the Government and the Buganda Kingdom. The desire to urgently see the site reconstructed was expressed by all.”  The New Vision further reports that Eloundou said that his UNESCO team would write a series of recommendations, which would be submitted to both the Government and UNESCO for consideration. The report will include costing of how much is needed, the plans and designs for the site.

Kasubi Tombs was constructed in 1882, following Baganda native designs and architecture. Each Baganda clan had a role to play in the design and construction of the tombs and many of the design elements the 50 or so clans. The same Baganda clans also have special customary duties they carry out in the maintenance of the tombs, up to March 16, 2010. It is the unique architecture, cultural ambience, continuity of ancient Baganda customary practices, and its use as a royal burial ground that gave Kasubi Tombs it the international fame.

A Muganda employee [identity withheld on request], who works for the United Nations and has been following the Kasubi restoration story very closely has requested Buganda Post to warn Kabaka Mutebi and his subjects that there is a conspiracy to Ugandanize the sacred burial ground of the Buganda royal family. He said: “Certain Mmengo officials who constantly declare their royalty to Kabaka and the kingdom are part of this conspiracy and that is why they play along with the NRM propaganda that Kasubi belongs to Uganda. We must take the demand by Archbishop Lwanga for an independent investigation seriously. I agree the archbishop that Mmengo officials, especially those who have been pushing for introducing imported building materials at Kasubi must be investigated. UNESCO and its attempts to push that Kasubi be redesigned by non-Baganda so called professionals must also be challenged. It is starting to look more and more that the Museveni and a few collaborators in Buganda government might have burnt Kasubi to create this opportunity to grab the royal tombs from Buganda and Ugandanize it. Even a few UNESCO men could be involved in this cultural genocide.”

The UN Muganda employee advised concerned Baganda to go through their organizations to directly lodge complaints to the Secretary General and assertively accuse UNESCO of collaborating with the Government of Uganda to commit cultural genocide against the indigenous peoples of Buganda. he says: “Question why UNESCO claims that they are ready to redesign the tombs without first investigating the cause of the fire and without consulting the people of Buganda through their clan systems. If UNESCO is ignorant of how the Amasiro came to be and is not consulting the Abataka who constructed and maintained them, how can they be qualified to redesign and restore them? Insist that everything must be done through the clan system and the royal family. Otherwise this will be like 1900 when a few Mmengo collaborators sold 50% Buganda for personal gain and weakened our clans and our Kabaka to where they are now. Use the huge amount of evidence that is available in New Vision, Monitor, You Tube and other sources.”

walusimbi mayiga

The sacred Kasubi Tombs were burnt during the night of Wednesday March 16, 2010. Within 36 hours after the tragedy on March 18, 2010, Katikkiro Walusimbi announced that a technical committee had been set up to “analyze what was destroyed and draw a reconstruction budget”.  The Katikkiro also announced a finance committee, a committee to organize the official mourning, a security committee, a publicity committee and a coordination committee. He also said that special committees were to be formed by clan leaders (Abataka) and royal family (Abalangira n’Abambejja). On the same day, Mmengo announced that an account named Kasubi Royal Tombs, number 2210600019 had been opened in Centenary Bank, where well-wishers could contribute.  Curiously, the Katikkiro did not announce a committee to find out what could be the cause of fire. Up to now, there is little evidence that either the NRM occupation government or Mmengo is working hard to find who torched the tombs.

The speed at which Mmengo moved to start collecting money for reconstruction without consulting the people of Buganda, seems to have upset many of the Kabaka’s subjects.  Some Baganda are so suspicious that they want Mmengo investigated because they are behaving as if they had plans to rebuild the tombs even before they were burnt (see, “Members of Buganda Royal Family Issue Statement on Kasubi – English“, “Kasubi Fire Requires Independent Investigation, Archbishop Kizito Lwanga“  and “Ekiba Kibe Joins Bataka, Balangira and Bazzukulu To Warn Katikkiro“).

• The royal family issued their own statement to clarify that although Kasubi was for all Baganda, it was the sacred burial grounds for descendants of Ssekabaka Muteesa I.
• Buganda clan heads and cultural leaders (Abataka) also expressed strong opposition to Mmengo’s plans focus on working with UNESCO and the NRM occupation government to restore the sacred Baganda tombs.
• The Great Buganda Lukiiko resolved: “Olukiiko luyisiza ekiteeso eky’okuzzaawo Amasiro g’e Kasubi nga bwegaali era n’okugateeka ku mutindo” (“The Lukiiko has passed a resolution has passed a resolution to restore Amasiro g’e Kasubi [Kasubi Tombs] exactly they were and ensure that they up to standard”).  Note that the Lukiiko never spoke about modernization as the NRM controlled press is now claiming.
• Abazzukulu ba Buganda questioned Mmengo’s qualifications to restore and ancient cultural structure like Kasubi Tombs. They point out that the Mmengo had not record of completing even smaller construction projects such Twekobe or Bulange Plaza. They also rejected the idea letting UNESCO lead the project.
• Ekiba Kibe radio in Boston, which often reflects the frustration Baganda in the diaspora have with the NRM occupation of their country, also strongly advised Katikkiro Walusimbi to ensure that the Abataka and the royal family take the lead since they were responsible for the existence of Kasubi Tombs.
• The Catholic Archbishop of Kampala added a new angle when he called for an independent commission of inquiry and added that Mmengo officials are among those who must be questioned

It is not clear if Katikkiro Walusimbi and his cabinet are willing to become more transparent and allow the citizens of Buganda and owners of the tombs to play a bigger role.

When we sent an email to request the opinion of our New York based analyst, he replied: “If Katikkiro Walusimbi and his team go ahead without proper consultation and support from Baganda all over the world, the project is likely to get stuck like Twekobe and they may not be forgiven this time. There is no reason why they should be rushing. This is not a simple construction project but a job of restoring Baganda’s souls. The process we follow is even more important than the building we will get.

“For example, in my opinion, they should organize seminars for Baganda clans at each ssaza headquarters and with the royal family, to explain the situation and listen to ideas. They should also have similar seminars in Johannesburg, London, Stockholm, New York, Boston, Washington DC and Toronto and other Baganda population centres.  This may take months but will ensure that every Muganda feels part of the project and can properly heal from the shock they suffered when the tombs were burnt. After that, even US$5M dollars could be provided by Kabaka’s subjects alone. Money from others would still be welcome but it would not humiliate Baganda. If Katikkiro Walusimbi and his men continue to make and announce decisions without wide consulting, I can assure Baganda will stand and watch and that will force Mmengo to rely mostly on money from the NRM government and foreigners.  Using NRM money to restore Kasubi is like selling the tombs. Remember that most Baganda blame Museveni and his NRM for the burning of Kasubi Tombs.”

In the mean time, according to sources in Mmengo, the largest contributors so far are: New Vision (Shs 20M); Habib Kagimu (Shs 10M); Museveni’s Gilbert Bukenya (US$10,000); Tumusiime Mutebire (Shs 10M); Museveni’s Apollo Nsibambi ($10,000); Nile Breweries Board (Shs 20M); Mahdvani Group of Companies (Shs 100M); Standard Chartered (Shs 50M); Coca Cola (Shs 15M); and James Mulwana (Shs 10M). As it turns out, several of these were also among the biggest contributors to Museveni’s last presidential campaign. At this pace, the Katikkiro and his cabinet might one day be accused of  restoring the Kasubi Tombs with NRM blood money and keeping Baganda out of the process.

From: XXXXXX
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 2:34 PM
To: xxxxx@bugandapost.com

Subject: Letter to baganda

Dear Writers,

Burning Of Kasubi  Follows A Plan Written In 1513

I am writing to warn every Muganda and friend of Buganda that this burning of Kasubi is really part of a long-term plan to destroy Buganda which is based on a book by Niccolo Machiavelli wrote in 1513.

The history of my warning starts around 2002/2003 when Bwaana Tamale Mirundi used to translate a book about how a dictator can stay in power – from English to Luganda. The book was by called The Prince and the writer Machiavelli.  By that time, Tamale Mirundi called himself Mr. Consultant and had a  late night CBS Radio programme (I think Sunday) where he translated the book.

Because at that time Tamale Mirundi disliked the NRM his programme was really about explaining how Mr. Museveni was using Machiavelli’s  book  as his bible for ruling Ugandans forever.  I think it is true that  Museveni is a follower Machiavelli because he quickly saw that Tamale Mirundi could awaken Baganda so he somehow brought him to his side. We heard that Tamale was fired from CBS radio because his programmes sounded like they were praising Museveni’s brain. If  that is true, then maybe Mengo made a mistake of blaming the messenger and ignoring the message. You cannot have a strong institution where people who may be a bit radical and crazy like Tamala Mirundi are fired on emotion only to be picked up by an enemy.

For me,  after listening to one of Tamale’s programmes I found them very educational. I even bought a copy of The Prince and started following Mirundi’s translations on CBS because it was tough to read in English.  In fact the day they burnt Kasubi tombs I immediately remembered that Mirundi told us on CBS in 2003 that “bwooba oyagala okufuga emirembe n’emirembe abantu b’obwakabaka obulina ebyaafayo nga Buganda oba Bunyoro, Machiavelli agamba nti olina okusanyaawo buli kantu konna akajjukiza abantu abo obwakabaka bwaabwe.”  (“if you want  to rule the people of a kingdom with history and institutions like Buganda or Bunyoro forever, Machiavelli  says that you must destroy everything that makes the people remember what their kingdom was like.”)

I found my The Prince book and it took me only two  minutes to find the place where Mirundi talked about destroying the kingdom.  Chapter 5. I paid someone to type it for me and I have double checked every word. Please anyone read it and the notes I put in brackets and tell me if I am wrong to say that BURNING OF KASUBI  FOLLOWED A PLAN WRITTEN IN 1513.

In case you don’t know, Tamale Mirundi has been Mr. Museveni’s  most valued advisor at the time of Ssabaluri, Sabanyala, Kayunda Riots, Kasubi Toms, Land Bill Amendment, expanding Kampala to Mukono and Entebbe, trying to force Kabaka to negotiate, and so forth. Even when they had a dispute with Vice Gilbert Bukenya on Chogom, it is Mirundi who came on top. Baganda must wake up and remember our own saying “Okwelinda si buti” (”Keeping prepared for anything is not a sign of cowardice”).  If we continue trying to please everybody then we must stop complaining when those same people treat us like rubbish for our “bampaane”.

Awangaale Ssabasajja Kabaka wa Buganda

Please do not show my name
Kawuku, Kyadondo
Buganda

MACHIAVELLI’S THE PRINCE – CHAPTER 5

HOW TO GOVERN CITIES AND PRINCIPALITIES THAT, PRIOR TO BEING OCCUPIED, LIVED UNDER THEIR OWN LAWS

WHEN a state is accustomed to live in freedom under its own  laws is acquired, there are three ways of keeping it: the first is to destroy it;  the second is to go to live there in person; the third is to let it continue to live under its own laws, taking tribute from it, and setting up a government composed of a few men who will keep it friendly to you. Such a govern­ment, being the creature of the prince, will be aware that it can­not survive without his friendship and support, and it will do everything to maintain his authority. A city which is used to freedom is more easily controlled by means of its own citizens than by any other, provided one chooses not to destroy it. [MY NOTE: The prince talked about here is the one who acquired Buganda and wants to permanently take it away. For sure we have had a few men in Buganda government who cannot survive without the support and friendship of the prince occupying Buganda].

Take, for example, the Spartans and the Romans. The Spartans held Athens and Thebes by setting up a government of a few men in each; nevertheless they lost both. In order to hold on to Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, the Romans de­stroyed them; yet they did not lose them. They hoped to hold Greece in almost the same way as the Spartans had done leav­ing her free under her own laws; yet they were not successful, and so they were compelled to destroy many cities of that province in order to keep possession of it.

For in truth there is no sure method of holding such cities except by destruction. Anyone who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it may expect to be destroyed by it; for such a city may always justify rebellion in the name of liberty and its ancient institutions. These are not forgotten either through passage of time or through benefits received. Despite any actions or provisions one may take, if the inhabitants are not divided and dispersed, they will not forget that name and those institutions, and they will quickly have re­course to them at every chance, as Pisa did after a hundred years of servitude under the Florentines. [MY NOTE: Were Baganda not accustomed to centuries of freedom until they were forced into Uganda in 1962? Are these schemes of Ssabaluri, Ssabanyala, Muchakamuchaka, Bibanja Association and land grabbing about dividing Baganda so that we can forget that name and those institutions?]

But when cities or provinces have been accustomed to live under a prince and his line becomes extinct, being on the one hand used to obeying and on the other deprived of their leader, they cannot agree among themselves in the selection of a new one and do not know how to live in freedom. Hence they are slower to take up arms, and a prince may more easily win them and hold them. But in republics there is greater vigor, greater hatred, greater desire for’ revenge, and the memory of earlier freedom cannot and will not let them rest. Thus, the surest pro­cedure is either to destroy them or to live in them. [MY NOTE: Are certain officials in Mengo not always telling us to stay calm avoid making the occupiers angry? Is it wrong to believe then that burning of Kasubi could be one of many things planned to make our royal family so weak that it is as good as extinct?]

In late February and early March 2010, a man called Ntare told listeners of SMS based Ekiba Kibe program that he is a former Rwandese soldier both in Uganda and Rwanda, who is now a Canadian citizen (see “Rwandese Former Soldier Says Baganda Must Stop Being Cowards” and “We Don’t Want You To Fight For Us, Kabuye Tells Rwandese Soldier”). He warned Baganda that Museveni intended to destroy Buganda. On March 26, 2010, Ekiba Kibe’s Robert Kabuye brought Ntare back to the Free Buganda Radio studios to discuss the burning of Buganda’s sacred Kasubi Tombs.

Ntare, claimed that Museveni is the one who burnt the Kasubi tombs and explained that Museveni’s reasons for doing it are (1) to hit Buganda enough to kill all her strength (“ayagala abakube abamalemu amaanyi”), (2) he is testing to see if your are still united (“abagezaako amanyi alabe oba mukyaali wamu”). Mr. Kabuye then asked Ntare why Baganda must trust him: “Why should we trust you; right now we are not even willing to shake your hand. How do we know you are not Museveni’s agent?” (“Tunakwesiga tutya; kubanga kati tetusobola nakukwaata mu ngalo. Tukwesiga tutya nti toli agent wa Museveni?”). Ntare claimed that his goal is to fight injustices as a freedom fighter. But he also admitted that there was no reason why Mr. Kabuye should trust him.

Ntare also said Museveni is using “divide and rule” to confuse Baganda.. Ntare told Mr. Kabuye Museveni will keep bribing certain Baganda to create problems for strong Baganda nationalists. If that fails Museveni will try to directly try to bribe the same Baganda nationalists. And if that fails, he will use murder.

Click on Ekiba_Kibe26Mar10A to listen to the full March 26, 2010 Ekiba Kibe broadcast.

JANGU WETABE MU MUKOLO GW’OKUKUNGUBAGA

Omubaka n’Abakungu ba Ssaabasajja Kabaka babayita okugya okwetaba mu mukolo ogw’Okukungubaga olw’Amasiro g’e Kasubi okwokebwa abalabe ba Buganda.

Olunaku: Saturday 27 March 2010

Ku Saawa: 10 Ez’olweggulo (4.00 pm) (Tusaba Okuume Obudde)

Ekifo:
The Global Academy
Theobald Street, (Off New Kent Rd)
Elephant and Castle, London SE1  6AG

Nearest Tube Station: Elephant and Castle

Buse Nos: 1, 21, 53, 63, 168, 172, 188, 363, 453

Entegeka y’Olunaku

1. Okusinza nga Tukulemberwa Abakulu ba Madiini:

Ven Dan Kajumba, Rev Godfrey Kaziro … Anglican / Church of Uganda

Rev Fr Gerard Balinnya …………………     Catholic Church

Sheikh Kalantani Yiga, Sheikh Kimbowa…   Muslim Association

Omusumba Kalemera Mutebi ……………    Seventh Day Adventist Church

Omusumba Michael Kagyo……………..      Refiners Fire Ministries

Omusumba  David Kateeba …………….      Destiny Worship Centre

2. Okuyimba Ennyimba Ez’Okukungubaga

UMC Catholic Choir, Ekkanisa y’Oluganda Choir, SDA Church Choir

Destiny Worship Centre Choir

3. Abaana Abato

Ennyimba, Ebitontome

4. Abogezi

Amasiro, n’okugazaawo,  Empisa n’obulombolombo.

5. Obubaka Okuva e Mengo

Tugya Kusanyuka okukulaba mu Nnaku yaffe.

Nkusaba otegeeze bonna bomannyi

O K U Y I N G I R A   K W A   B W E R E R E

We received an email  from the management team of the popular Internet Baganda radio, www. Ababaka.com saying that they will start broadcasting directly to occupied Buganda on Saturday March 27, 2010. Ababaka.com has been in operations for a long time and attracts listeners from all over the world  on Saturdays and Sundays. Most of these listeners are in North America, Europe, South Africa and other countries with good Internet connections. Its programmes focus on Buganda issues and interests because you need a computer to listen.

Transmission time is 8:00 – 9:00 PM Buganda Standard Time (Esaawa za Buganda biri ezekiro) on band SW 15410 khz.

What is new and big is the fact that from March 27, 2010 people with ordinary  Baganda in Bukunja, Bamunanika or Kibibi with Short Wave radios, will be able to listen to Ababaka.com programs using their simple Short Wave radio sets. Just over a month ago SW radios started selling like hot cakes here in Kampala after rumours that a Baganda radio was going to start broadcasting. It is expected that once the radio starts, SW radios will again go on heavy demand. And Ababaka.com programs are expected to be very popular if they remain focused on Buganda issues as they are now.

Ababaka.com depends on devoted Baganda donating their time and money. For more information and to find out how you can make a donation to this Buganda public radio visit www.Ababaka.com on the Internet.

We reproduce the email that we received from Ababaka.com below.

Dear Buganda Post Admin.

We would like to inform you that Rediyo y’Abaganda on AbabaKa.com will start broadcasting on Short Wave  tomorrow on Saturday, 27th March 2010, at 17:00 – 19:00 UTC/GMT on frequency 15410 khz in the 19 m band. We will start with transmitting once a week, and only the first transmission will be for 2 hours. Commencing from Saturday, 03rd April 2010, our program will last for one hour, except in special cases. It will always start at 17:00 – 18:00 UTC/GMT, which is 8:00-9:00pm local time. Note our  frequency; 15410 khz in the 19 m band.

Long Live The King Of Buganda.

[Omulongo A.K. Kigongo]

For Ababaka.com Admin. Team

USA Baganda have joined the many forces who are telling Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and other Mmengo officials to be extremely careful about the restoration of the recently burnt Kasubi Tombs. Within 36 hours after the tombs were burnt, the Katikkiro announced that a technical committee had been formed to start planning the restoration of the 130 year Kasubi Tombs. The committee members who names were released later were mostly former Mmengo officials, with no signs of new blood. Kasubi Tombs is the official cemetery for Buganda royal family members (Abalangira n’Abambejja) who descend from Ssekabaka Muteesa I. However,  the Katikkiro made his announcement without consulting this key group. As a result, Abalangira n’Abambejja were forces to release a statement expressing their concern as owners of the tombs (see “Members of Buganda Royal Family Issue Statement on Kasubi – English”).

Various Buganda clan heads and cultural leaders (Abataka) also expressed strong opposition to Mmengo’s plans focus on working with UNESCO and the NRM occupation government to restore the sacred Baganda tombs. They  point out the original tombs were constructed by ordinary Baganda through their clans and each clan has a special task in the process. Yet Katikkiro Walusimbi and many other Mmengo officials are temporary administrators with no technical background in constructing cultural site like the Kasubi Tombs.

Abazzukulu ba Buganda also strongly question Mmengo’s qualifications to restore and ancient cultural structure like Kasubi Tombs. They point out that the Mmengo official who were selected on the restoration committee are the same individuals who have not succeeded on even smaller projects such as completing Twekobe or Bulange Plaza. They also rejected the idea of UNESCO being a key player ( see “Don’t Put Yourself At Risk When Buganda Is Angry, Katikkiro Advised“).

The Great Buganda Lukiiko that sat on March 22, 2010, did not approve Katikkiro Walusimbi’s plans either. Members only agree that the Kasubi Tombs must be repaired as soon as possible.

On Free Buganda Radio, the Ekiba Kibe program of March 25, 2010 Mr. Robert Kabuye and his guest, Mr. Mayanja, also advised Mmengo to leave the repair of Kasubi Tombs to those who are traditionally responsible for the job. They also warn the Katikkiro and his cabinet to take leadership from the clan leaders (Abataka) and others who have an official role in Buganda culture.

Click on Ekiba_Kibe25Mar10A to listen to the Ekiba Kibe prpgram of March 25, 2010.

After their meeting of March 23, 2010, Abazzukulu ba Buganda wrote a strong open letter to Katikkiro JB Walusimbi, demanding that he reverses his recent decisions and announcements in connection with the damaged Kasubi tombs. Abazzukulu ba Buganda is the best-known and most consistent Buganda nationalist pressure group. They are known to be fully independent of Mmengo.

In brief, the Luganda open letter by Abazzukulu says that  the arrangements which Katikkiro Walusimbi and has made in connection with repairing Kasubi are dangerous to Buganda. That they will not be tolerated and must be cancelled immediately for the reasons below:

1. Restoring the royal tombs must be led by those concerned with culture, the Abataka (clan leaders). The Katikkiro is only an administrator who should work to support the Bataka and carry out their decisions.
2. The various committees that Mmengo has formed for Kasubi have history of failure. They failed on other kingdom projects, including Bulange Plaza, Iand others. Muzibu-Azaalampanga is owned by Buganda and the Katikkiro must not tell us what to do.
3. Muzibu-Azaalampanga must be restored first before anything else is done at the Kasubi Nabulagala tombs compound.
4. Forget about closing off the tombs site. The Baganda you are trying to lock out are responsible for doing all the work on the tombs through their clans. Why do you seem to believe that you know it all and can call in Baganda only to show them what to do?
5. You must immediately stop working under the orders of foreign donors such UNESCO. Such organizations came to us because we had achievements to show. We shall not change our way of life to please UNESCO and our so-called friends.
6. Forget the idea of modernizing the royal tombs. The tombs are our cultural treasure, which we must jealously guard. The Baganda blood that we spilt a few days ago was not a joke. If you want to build modern structures, do it at Kakeeka Mmengo in Muteesa I Royal University, where you are currently teaching our children under tarpaulin tents.
7. In summary, do not too much and put yourself at risk since the Buganda nation is very angry. Your arrangements look like they are based on a plan to destroy Buganda. Don’t put yourself in that situation.

The full Luganda open letter is reproduced below:

OLUKIIKO LW’ABAZZUKULU BA BUGANDA

23.03.2010

EBBALUWA EY’OLWATU ERI KATIKKIRO J B WALUSIMBI

Olukiiko lw’Abazzukulu ba Buganda olutudde nga 23.03.2010, lwetegerezza entekateeka yo ku kuzzaawo “Amasiro” gyewayanjulidde Obuganda. Enteekateeka eyo tugizuddemu obulabe obw’amaanyi era bwetutasobola kugumiikiriza. Bino wammanga tukusaba bituukirizibwe mbagirawo:

1. Okukwasa omulimo ogwo be kikwatako ng’eNnono yaffe bweragira. Abataka be bannanyini nsonga eno era nga bo be balina okukola enteekateeka, gwe Katikkiro n’okola kusinziira ku bye basazeewo, bwe baba tebakontana na Nnono. Olwo gwe n’oyambako kukunga bazzukulu baabwe n’Obuganda bwonna mu kutuukiriza omulimo ogwo. N’olwekyo tukusaba ossattulule ebikiikokiiko by’otaddewo nti bye birina enkizo mu kukola omulimo ogwo.
2. Okusazaamu ekirango ky’oyimbirira nti Obuganda bugira buleka okuleeta ebikozesebwa buleete sente zokka nga bwe bulinda Entegeka yo. Obukiiko n’enteekateeka zammwe “ez’ekikugu” zisooke kutulaga kye zikoze okumaliriza Bulange Plaza, Twekobe n’ebirala, ziryoke z‘esigibwe. Obuganda tebisobola kulinda ng’eno ba Ssekabaka bwe bakubwa enkuba n’okwaakako omusana. Okuleeta kw’ebikozesebwa ng’essubi, n’emmuli ammangu dala ng’ekikangabwa ky’akagwa ku Buganda kisaanye okukulaga Abaganda bwe batwalamu ensonga y’okuzzaawo Muzibu Azaala Mpanga era n’obwangu bwe baagala omulimo ogwo gukolebwe. Sebo Obuganda bunnannyini Muzibu-Azaalampanga bwe buteekwa okukulaga n’okukubuulira eby’okukola so si ggwe.
3. Okutandikira ku kuzzaawo Muzibu -Azaala –Mpanga nga tonaba kukola Kintu kyonna kirala mu Masiro ge Kasubi Nabulagala. Mu ntegeka yo walaze nti ogenda kusooka kuggyawo buli kitatuukana na gw’otwaala ng ‘Omutindo’ mu masiro olwo oly’oke osembyeyo Muzibu… Amasiro obutaba ku mutindo si ky’ekiruma Obuganda essaawa eno. Obwetaavu bw’Abaganda buli mu kuzzaawo Muzibu-Azaalampanga amangu dala. Amalala  g’omutindo gebaakutaddemu gegira galindako. N’olwekyo teweetantala kukola Kintu kyonna nga Muzibu tannaddawo nga bweyabadde.
4. Sebo eky’okuggala Amasiro kiviireko dala kubanga Abaganda b’ogenda okuggalira ebweru be bannanyini kukola mulimo mu bika byabwe, bw’oba tootwalibwe ng’ayagala okulemesa omulimo. Lwaki oyagala okutulowozesa nti ogenda kubayita buyisi obalage omulimo oguwedde nga bo be bettanira okugwekolera?
5. Osaanidde ove ku ky’okukolera ku biragiro oba obukwakkulizo bw’abagabi b’obuyambi nga UNESCO. Twasooka kubeera kye tuli “mikwaano gyaffe” egyo ne giryoka gitwagala. Atatwagala tubeere nga bwe tuteekwa atuveeko. Tetulina kukyuusa kyaffe nakimu ku lw’okusanyusa UNESCO ne “mikwano” gyaffe emirala.
6. Eky’okuteeka amasiro ku “Mutindo” kyerabire. Amasiro ago kya buwangwa bwaffe kye tulina okukuuma obutiribiri.  Omusaayi ogwayiise tegwabadde gwakusaagamu busaazi. Oli wa ddembe okuzimba ebintu binji nnyo obiteeke ku “Mutindo” bwe bitaba bya buwangwa oba bya byafaayo ng’amasiro. Omutindo osobola okugwoleseza mu kuzimba ebizimbe by’omutindo wali e Kakeeka Mmengo ku Muteesa I Royal University abaana baffe gye basomera mu weema (tent) ng’ate ettendekero eryo liri mu mikonogyo.

Mu bufunze, tukusaba oleme kwemenya na kweteeka mu kabenje kubanga Obuganda bunyiivu nnyo. Enteekateekaayo ekwataganira dala bulungi n’enteekateka y’okusanyawo buli kantu akalaga nti waaliwo obwakabaka bwa Buganda obw’amaanyi, obwefuga. Tukusaba oleme kugwa mu ttuluba eryo.

M.Jjunju Kamulali
(Ssentebe)
Wangaala Buganda
Awangale Ssabasajja