On January 28, 2010, Buganda Post received several emails in connection with a portfolio of six images showing Ugandans in a demonstration.  Some of the emails were simply forward the images to us to let us know that they (the images) existed.  However, more were about the inscription “UN DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST MUSEVENI’S REGIME JANUARY 26, 2010 Ugandan In Diaspora International, Inc” which appeared on the images. Some of the emails accused Ugandan In Diaspora International, Inc (UIDI) of deception and dishonesty because it did not have any active role in organizing the demonstration  shown in the images.

We can report that UIDI was not directly involved in organizing the “Okununula Obuganda” (”Buganda Liberation”) demonstration at the UN on January 26, 2010. The permit for the meeting, as well as all the promotion was done by Mr. Robert Kabuye and Mr. Mukasa Muwonge.  The problem is that the photographer, one Mr. Muganga, put the inscription on the images to suggest that UIDI was responsible for the New York demonstration. This act by UIDI is what has attracted accusations that the young organization is engaging in deception to advance its members’  political and financial interests. The principals in UIDI include Lt. Frank Musisi, James Kabonge, Michael Muganga, James Semakula, Kawunde Miti  and Fred Kambugu (Kabonge’s cousin). It is not yet clear to us  if UIDI has other members.

Sources in Washington DC have confirmed to us that UIDI was started in response to the September 2009  NRM engineered election fiasco at UNAA Chicago. The organization was reportedly conceived by Kabonge around the time he wrote a scathing email to the UNAA Washington DC organizers, stating: “I am going to work to see a change in Uganda , and NRM government extension worldwide, and I ask peace and non corrupt Ugandans to join me in this mission”  (see “Questions About 2010 Uganda American Conferences As UNAA Starts DC Plans”). Since its establishment late in 2009, UIDI  has reportedly organized two demonstrations in  Washington DC, including one on January 22, 2010.

UIDI has also been linked to the website http://www.musevenimustgo.com. The  website’s main page says that it was, “launched by Ugandans in the Diaspora known as Dictator Museveni Must Go Revolution”. The website also requests visitor to donate online to what they call the Museveni Must Go Fund.  It does not specifically state where the money will go.  Notably, the website also subtly associates itself with the Buganda Emergency Conference, which took place in Boston on October 17, 2009. That conference was organized by Ggwangamujje Boston.

Sources have also told us that UIDI principals are working closely with Uganda politician, Dr. Olara Otunnu, and his surrogates to obtain political recognition and financial support in the USA.  We could not confirm if UIDI is a restart of earlier efforts by Olara Otunnu to recruit and use prominent Baganda in America to manipulate Kabaka’s subjects (see “UPC’s Olara Otunnu Enters ‘Mukago’ With America Baganda“).  The involvement of Otunnu’s people in UIDI, however, has raised the alarm again that  a few individuals are trying to manipulate Baganda in the diaspora to serve foreign interests.

According  to the January 22, 2010 Ekiba Kibe program, broadcast on the SMS based Freed Buganda Radio, Betty Kamya, the popular Muganda politician will attend today’s Buganda liberation conference in Boston, USA.  Mr. Kabuye told his listeners that Betty Kamya,  Lubaga North MP in a Museveni’s parliament and founder of the Uganda Federal Alliance,would be the keynote speaker at the Buganda independence conference. The conference is organized by Ggwanga Mujje Boston and has attracted delegates from Canada, California, New York, Washington DC, Washington State,  Uganda, Europe and other places.

In a related development, during the above broadcast, Mr. Kabuye and his studio guest, one Mr. Lennard Muwonge Mukasa of New Jersey, told the listeners that  Brother Panas Bugembe and the  NRM’s Ruhakana Rugunda had quickly organized a “free food and drinks” party to pull away youths from Baganda meetings that are taking place in Boston and New York ( Buganda Post has seen an email indicating that the Ggwangamujje NY/NJ association general  meeting is also taking place this Saturday in the New York area).  In effect, Bugembe and Rugunda are using  Uganda taxpayer money to bribe youths with beer and food so that they stay away from Baganda events.  Buganda Post will inform our readers about the Baganda who are accepting the Bugembe/bribes bribes and attending the NRM function.

To listen to Mr. Kabuye and Mr. Muwonge in their the  January 22, 2010 Ekiba Kibe broadcast, click on Ekiba_Kibe22Jan10A. Apparently, at the time of the broadcast Mr. Kabuye and Mr. Muwonge were returning from Buganda independence demonstrations in Washington DC. Mr. Muwonge indicated that the Washington demonstrations has received strong media coverage, including from Voice of America. Another Buganda liberation demonstration will take place on January 26, 2010, the commemorate the armed occupation of Buganda by Balaalo led Ugandans. It will be at the UN headquarters in New York.