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.
