A New Jersey Muganda resident and United States citizen sent us an email on November 4, 2009, proposing a pledge of allegiance for Baganda all over world. The email says: “No question about it, the Kabaka and his subjects in Buganda are in captivity today. Buganda is in a constant state of emergency. Since we are under constant attack by the enemy, it is time for every loyal Muganda to openly declare their full allegiance to the Kabaka and our other institutions. And for those who have their allegiance elsewhere, like Nsibambi or Bukenya or Sekandi, to be officially exposed.”

The Muganda explained that:  “Having a simple pledge like this, which even school children and old people can recite every day shall help us to stay on focus until  our nation is rescued.”

Below is the text of proposed Buganda Pledge of Allegiance . The author admits that it is about 90% based on the United States pledge of allegiance . He also hopes that Buganda Post readers who know good Luganda can properly translate the pledge to Buganda’s national language and suggest changes.

BUGANDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

I pledge allegiance to the institution of Kabaka, the Baganda clans, and the Buganda Kingdom for which they stand, one nation, indivisible, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

[Editor: Please include any suggested changes or translations in comments under this story.]

Uganda’s ruling political party, the NRM, which is also Buganda’s occupation force, is planning to hold its 2009 gala in Boston on Saturday September 27, 2009. And an estimated 500 to 1,000 Baganda from the North East United States are expected to be there to demonstrate against the occupation of Buganda, the restrictions place on their Kabaka and the state of emergency conditions that have been imposed in Buganda. On the receiving end will be an estimated 50-100 of what the Baganda demonstrators call loyal members of the murderous NRM party and their collaborators.

As we reported yesterday though, barring a last minute change on Friday, the NRM master, president Yoweri Museveni of Uganda is expected cancelled his attendance at the NRM Gala after enduring an unpleasant time at the UN general assembly (see, “Kabaka, Obama, Foot Pain, and Baganda Demos Force Museveni To Leave USA“). At the time of posting this story, we had not confirmed if the Uganda warlord had left the USA. According to our sources in both New Jersey and Boston, the Baganda demonstrators do not care whether Museveni is present or not. They believe that they will still achieve their goals.

One source sent us an email which said that: “Our goals are simple. One, to send a message to the Munyarwanda that he triggered the beginning of his end when he touched Magulu Nyondo, Nyanja Temanyiirwa, Musota. There is no going back for him and his collaborators; he may win small battles like closing CBS but he lost the war the day he publically told Ssabasajja what to do and not to do. Goal number two is to maintain our campaign against the genocidal NRM Buganda occupiers and collaborator. We are tired and very angry and the Kalembas and Kalemas of this world will, with time, find out how dumb it is sell one’s soul to a crook for a few pieces of silver.”

The NRM Gala, mostly funded by the Uganda embassy in Washington DC, will be held at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel, downtown Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The address is 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02116. The organizing committee includes only Banyankore/Bakiga and Baganda as follows:

• Charles T. Kampororo
• Frank Mwebesa
• John Nuwamanya-Matsiko
• Sania Mutegyeki
• Kenneth Mutegyeki
• Paul Rumunye
• Mugume P. Kalyegira
• Elizabeth S. N. Musazi
• Dorothy N. Ssebakka
• Male Kamya
• Stephen Kasirye

On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, about 100 Baganda from Boston, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, together with one Acholi, loudly demonstrated against President Museveni at the United Nations headquarters in New York. They denounced Museveni’s NRM government for its repressive occupation of Buganda, massacres in Luwero during Obote 2 regime, corruption and incompetence. Notably, the Baganda were joined by one Acholi, a brother of UN official, Olara Otunnu. This is despite the big support which Baganda gave to Acholi’s during demonstrations against the genocide that Museveni permitted in Northern Uganda. Basoga, Banyoro, Iteso and other Ugandan populations who are huge victims of  the NRM government’s policies were nowhere to be seen.

The demonstrations were prompted by the NRM government’s recent restriction of Kabaka Mutebi’s freedom of movement within his kingdom and the massacre of over 20 Baganda which followed the Kabaka’s subjects resisted. Later Ggwangamujje NY/NJ issued a statement that declared Buganda to be under armed occupation by the NRM and its collaborators.

There was drama when Uganda’s ambassador to the UN, Ruhakana Rugunda, and Museveni’s secretary and lover, Amelia Kyambadde, unknowingly walked in the direction of the Baganda demonstrators. One demonstrator shouted, “Omubi Omukiga Rugunda wuyo!” and the whole group, energized, start shouting accusations at the two Museveni staff. Visibly surprised and seemingly scared Rugunda and Kyambadde veered away as they continued to walk past the crowd.

This is the first time that Baganda have demonstrated against a Ugandan government over the issue of Buganda political rights. The demonstrations were organized by members of Ggwangamujje Boston and Ggwangamujje NY/NJ. Another, larger, demonstration is planned for Saturday in Boston, where Museveni is scheduled to be chief guest at this years’ NRM Gala. At the Gala, Museveni is expected to, among other things, thank his USA based NRM cadres like Elizabeth Musaazi, Nakku Senkeeto, Edirisa Kironde, Moses Kalemba, Zabasaja and Senoga (see “Descendants of I. K. Musaazi, Kulubya and Yusuf Lule Risk To Promote NRM In America“) for taking over UNAA.

Boston and New York Baganda have announced that they will join to demonstrate against president Yoweri Museveni whose army and secret police are in an armed occupation of the kingdom of Buganda. According to the Baganda activists, their demonstration will take place at the same time that the Ugandan war load will be speaking at the UN General Assembly.

The statement announcing the demonstrations is reproduced below:

GGWANGAMUJJE NY/NJ AND GGWANGAMUJJE BOSTON calling you to attend Wednesday, September 23, 2009 demonstrations at UNITED NATIONS at 1^st Avenue and 47^th Street between 11:00 and 3:00PM. Demonstrations will take place at the same time when he is giving speech at the UNITED NATIONS.

Ggwangamujje Boston are pooling in buses so Ugandans in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware plan in advance to take a day off.

We are demonstrating against Museveni ruthless killing of unarmed civilians by his Military armed forces. The Violation of Human Rights and Freedom of Speech. Museveni’s inciting of tribal crisis (Baganda against Banyala / Banyoro against Bafuruki). The world MUST be informed in advance that ethnic clashes in Africa end up in genocides.

MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT OVER THE WEEKEND.

Let Your Voice be Heard.

See Cruel killing on the link below:

http://sites.google.com/site/ugandasbloody999/home and or

http://sites.google.com/site/ugandasbloody999/home/evidence

http://sites.google.com/site/ugandasbloody999/home/evidence

Ggwangamujje NY/NJ

PRESS RELEASE

LUGANDA
Abazaana n’Abasajja ba Ssabasajja Kabaka, Muwenda Mutebi II mu New York ne New Jersey, USA, banyiivu nnyo olw’engeri Kabaka n’abantu be gyebayisibbwamu gavumenti ya NRM ku nsonga y’okulambula essaza lye Bugerere. Baagala ensi yonna okumanya nti bali mabega wa Ssabasajja, ba Jjajja Abataka, awamu  n’Obuganda bwonna mu lutalo lw’okwejja mu buwambe. Bakubiriza ab’enganda zaabwe bonna awamu n’emikwano gy’abwe okulaga Ssabsajja abuwulize ebutaliiko komo mu kaseera kano akazibu.

Omumyuuka wa Ssentebe wa Ggangamujje NY/NJ, Omw. Charles Mukasa, ayise Olukiiko o’lw’embagirawo ku Saturday nga September 12, 2009, okuteesa ku ngeri y’okuddukirira ensi yaabwe Buganda.

Okufuna ebisingawo tukirira:

Muky. Nankya Bewayo
Secretary, Ggwangamujje NY/NJ
info@ggwangamujje.com

.

ENGLISH
The loyal subjects of Ssabasajja Kabaka, Muwenda Mutebi II in New York and New Jersey, USA, are perturbed  about the manner in which their Kabaka and his people have been treated over the tour of county Bugerere. They want the whole world to know that they are totally behind Ssabasajja, the Bataka and the whole Obuganda in the fight for our human rights. They implore all their relatives and friends to practice unwavering loyalty to Ssabsajja during this difficult period.

The Vice Chairman of Ggwangamujje NY/NJ, Mr. Charles Mukasa, has called an emergency meeting on Saturday, September 12, 2009, to formulate a plan  for supporting their Buganda nation.

For further details contact:

Mrs. Nankya Bewayo
Secretary, Ggwangamujje NY/NJ
info@ggwangamujje.com

Members of the Olara Otunnu led Campaign for Democracy and Justice in Uganda (CDJ) have explained that the participation of the 4 well known American Baganda is because, during “Ttabamiruka 07 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Kabaka of Buganda urged Baganda to work for the acquisition of good governance, we need in Uganda, through seeking alliances and friendship with other ethnicities in Uganda.”

The CDJ document, sent to Buganda Post by Professor Aloysious Lugira, was responding to the posting by Buganda Post contributor, Bijugo Lumu, titled “UPC’s Olara Otunnu Enters ‘Mukago’ With America Baganda”.

The CDJ statement is shown below, without any editing.

Campaign for Democracy and Justice in Uganda
CDJ

CDJ is an organization which belongs to the members of this association. On July 15, 2009 on the Buganda Post website an article written by Chris Bijugo Lumu was published. It was in reaction to a CDJ Press Release dated July 11, 2009, which appeared on the occasion of President Barack’s Accra/Ghana speech. Seeming as if Mr. Chris Bijugo Lumu was reacting out of some sort of hunch, a feeling or suspicion not based on facts, gave his article the title of “UPC’s Olara Otunnu Enters ‘Mukago’ With America Baganda”. He continued on with such allegations that “Olara Otunnu..secured a deal (“mukago”) with respected foreign based Baganda to promote his presidential candidacy”, among other statements.

It is unfortunate that Mr.Lumu chose to comment on the CDJ Press Release July 11, 2009 the way he did. His comments betray the impressions that he did not give a thourough reading of the document. Or if it could have been the case that he was not clear about what he read, he was never bothered to consult the indicated contacts at the end of the Press Release.

Mr. Lumu should do proud to Buganda if he would care to take some refresher courses on the vital Social Anthropology of Buganda. To establish omukago does not mean to “secure a deal” with the sense of okuliira mu kavuyo as his context seem to be implying. CDJ is not about entering mukago as may be reflected in the unfortunate doings of the nineteen sixties. Here we are about associating for the sake of contributing to the return of political sanity in Uganda.

Mr. Lumu emphasizes that “Olara Otunnu, secured a deal with respected foreign based Baganda to promote his presidential candidacy”. In the Press Release it is made categorically clear that “CDJ will not support any parties or candidates in the forthcoming electoral contests. Its preoccupation is to mount a vigorous campaign for genuinely free and fair elections, with a level playing field for all.” http://www.bugandapost.com/main/archives/436
The CDJ is not composed of only the five interim office bearers of the Association. There are many other Ugandans of a variety of backgrounds who are members of CDJ. The four Baganda who on an interim basis are at the head of the organization are there with full knowledge of the intentions of CDJ. Mr. Lumu points out that “CDJ leadership is clearly dominated by Baganda who are known to put Buganda and Kabaka first”. It is true.But these Baganda are there not to dominate, but to serve, with the view in mind of building for the future. In his Keynote speech at Ttabamiruka 07 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Kabaka of Buganda urged Baganda to work for the acquisition of good governance, we need in Uganda, through seeking alliances and friendship with other ethnicities in Uganda. http://www.ttabamiruka07.com

Signed by:
Mr. Olara A. Otunnu (Interim Chairman)
Mr. James Ssemakula (Interim Deputy Chairman)
Mr. John Mayanja (Interim President)
Mr. Mubiru Musoke (Interim Treasurer)
Professor Aloysius M.M. Lugira (Interim Secretary)
For further information, contact:
Professor Aloysius M.M. Lugira
Tel: 617-552-3539 or 781-439-3875
E-mail: lugira.cdj@gmail.com or lugira@bc.edu

This writer has received a copy of a June 30, 2009 letter from the Acting President of Ggwangamujje NY/NJ, which cancelled the plans for Ttabamiruka ’09. The letter says that the current global economic situation and a need to strengthen the health of the New York Ggwangamujje Baganda organization are the main reasons for the cancellation. The same letter also announces that preparations for Ttabamiruka ’10 will start this month.

The organization’s president, Mr. Sullyman Bunkeddeko, is on some sort of leave of absence since June 14, 2009. The vice president, Mr. Charles Mukasa, is the Acting chief executive. It is not yet clear why Mr. Bunkeddeko, who led the organization during Ttabamiruka ’08, is on a leave of absence.

However, Ggwangamujje organizations in America seem to be having major problems. The Boston chapter is at a standstill because their elections were called off more than one a month ago, after they became a shouting match. Source in Mmengo and Boston tell us that the NRM is determined to take over or destroy Boston Ggwangamujje, whichever comes first. And reports from Washington DC indicate that the  chapter there has been taken over by pro-NRM elements who have publicly made it clear that their Ggwangamujje is for all Ugandans, not just Baganda (the “Ggwanga” in Ggwangamujje is Uganda).

The letter cancelling Ttabamiruka ‘09 is reproduced below:

June 30, 2009

Dear Members of Ggwangamujje NY/NJ:

RE: LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR THE PRESIDENT

This is a follow-up to the June 14, 2009 letter from our President, now on a leave of absence.

SHORT TERM ACTION PLAN
It is quite difficult for me to step into the role of Acting President on short notice. However, with your support and cooperation, I will try my best to work with the Board and establish a minimum action plan to make some progress during Mr. Bunkeddeko’s leave of absence.

“VOICE OF CUSTOMER” MEETING
Your input and support will be critical to the success of the minimum action plan that I have mentioned above. Since Ggwangamujje NY/NJ is a service organization, we will start with what you expect from your investment in the organization.  You will shortly receive an invitation to a meeting to discuss ideas on what to include in our minimum action plan.

TTABAMIRUKA ‘09
After consulting the Board and Mr. Edward Semambya, I regret to inform you that Ggwangamujje NY/NJ will not organize a Ttabamiruka ’09. The current state of the economy and the urgent need to strengthen the health of Ggwangamujje NY/NJ were key considerations. I have however requested Mr. Semambya to initiate plans for Ttabamiruka ’10 as soon as possible, hopefully by the end of July 2009.

Thank you.

Charles Mukasa

Acting President
Ggwangamujje NY/NJ, Inc.

Elizabeth Musaazi is a daughter of pioneer Muganda politician Ignatius Kangave Musaazi.  Nakku Senkeeto says that she is a granddaughter of Jolly Joe Kiwanuka and a great granddaughter of former treasurer (Muwanika) of Buganda Serwano Kulubya. And Edirisa Kironde claims to be first nephew to former Uganda President Yusuf Kironde Lule. The three are leading the effort to recruit American Baganda into NRM, at Uganda taxpayer expense, to extend Mr. Museveni’s direct political power to America. Sources close to the Uganda state house have told us that Mr. Museveni’s government is still interested in UNAA and Ggwangamujje but they think that their best investment is NRM USA where they can directly control the leaders and the political message.  Some of the NRM USA leaders, including Twaha Bukenya, Edward Wanda and Edirisa Kironde were on the list of alleged Uganda Government spies which was widely circulated on Internet discussion groups in 2007.

In 2008 NRM USA held major event in Washington DC with direct financial and logistical support from Uganda ambassador to USA, Perez Kamunanirwe. This year their event will be at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston on September 26, 2009 and president Museveni is expected to attend.  A prominent Muganda lawyer in North East USA has told us that it is probably illegal in the US for NRM, a foreign ruling political party, to promote its government policies on US soil. He pointed out that, according to the www.NRMOBoston.com website, their objective is to “shed light on the economic, political and other matters of interest to many Ugandans both in Uganda and in the Diaspora” and expected attendees include “Uganda Government Officials and Policy makers.” The legal expert concluded: “In my humble opinion, what NRM is doing in the USA could well be in contravention of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).  And if Baganda victims of NRM policies take this on seriously with the Obama administration, Musaazi’s daughter and her friends could be in serious trouble. They are blindly trying to adopt NRM arrogance here in the USA and that cannot work for long. And, curiously, not single member of the prominent Banyankore or Balaalo family benefiting so much from the NRM rule is involved in this highly risky effort.”

Sources in Mr. Museveni’s state House tell us that from the time of Dan Muliika’s term as Katikkiro President Museveni authorized serious investment in USA organizations controlled by Baganda. He was concerned that if the nationalism which Muliika planted  here in Buganda spread to American and European Baganda, his plans for Buganda could fall apart. Baganda who still believe in Mr. Museveni’s style of democracy for Uganda were in control at the Uganda North American (UNAA) and the plan was to ensure that the organization leadership is dominated by NRMs. The bigger challenge was the Ggwangamujje Baganda who, by definition, focus on Buganda interests.

UNAA Baganda are divided between those who support Mr. Museveni’s regime, those who promote opposition parties (DP, FDC, JEEMA, etc.) and those who do not care about the parties but, like the others, have full faith that the current Ugandan democracy is good enough to work with. Uganda state house believes that at least 85% of UNAA members are Baganda, explaining why Mr. Museveni supports and funds UNAA. The president prefers that his candidates win the UNAA elections but even if they lose, he feels confident that he can manipulate and influence the majority of UNAA members.

Ggwangamujje Baganda reject the current political order in Uganda and insist on Federo or even independence if other Ugandans continue to violate Buganda rights and interests. Their major branches are in Boston, New York/New Jersey and London.  According to NRM sources, Mr. Museveni does not expect to control Ggwangamujje activities but aims are using plants to simply destroy them from within.  Ggwangamujje Boston is by far the largest branch. But some observers also believe that it is the one which Mr. Museveni’s agents have already infiltrated, as shown by the NRM-style atmosphere at its elections two months ago – the elections had to be cancelled. Ggwangamujje NY/NJ is smaller but believed to be the most serious after successfully organizing Ttabamiruka ’07 and Ttabamiruka ’08. As Beti Kamya has said on FM radios several times, she started her current campaign for a new federal style political system for Uganda after “getting enlightened at Ttabamiruka ‘08″. However, the fact that there is no word about Ttabamiruka ’09 up to now has left many Ggwangamujje Baganda all over the world concerned about the health of Ggwangamujje NY/NJ.

Nationalistic Baganda in Boston are threatening to report, directly to Ssabasajja Kabaka, NRM activists in the USA who have allegedly accepted money from Kampala to sabotage the next Ttabamiruka conference.  In an email received on Tuesday September 23, 2008, the sender, who signs simply as Musisi, accuses the leaders of Ggwanga Mujje in Boston of being corrupt Museveni agents.

According to Musisi, the Boston leaders went to the 2008 Ttabamiruka in New Jersey and successfully bid to host the 2009 conference.  However, it was all a trick because their goal is to change the date from the best holiday of Labor Day to some date in May or July, and intentionally make the Boston one a disaster. He adds that this plot to permanently kill Ttabamiruka in 2009 was hatched by a network of UNAA officials, Baganda collaborators and Uganda government agents in New York, New Jersey, and Washington DC.  He further alleges that one financially hard-up gentleman who has built a reputation in Boston as a “conc. Muganda” is now in Uganda to market the deal to State House and to unsuspecting prominent Baganda.

Musisi names several key players in the plot. He also claims that his team are still building more evidence that they will use to report the people, whom he calls “insecure Nsibambi types”, directly to Kabaka Mutebi and to their clan leaders. And to ask the clan leaders to investigate if these people are really Baganda or are mere infiltrators.

Musisi names several UNAA officials, Kabaka’s representatives to North America and other Baganda who have either taken money from Kampala or anti-Kabaka or simply unwilling to see Baganda have their own conference. This writer has withheld the names mentioned pending confirmation of the allegations through sources in Mengo, Uganda government and elsewhere in Buganda.  However, we have independently confirmed that one of the named individuals, who Musisi claims to be in Kampala, is indeed in Kampala and has made contact with one of the power centers mentioned by Musisi.