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.]

According to our Boston sources, Lt. Frank Musisi of the USA army told the Buganda Emergency meeting on October 17, 2009 that president Museveni is paying Buganda Post to write malicious stories about him (Musisi). Lt. Musisi was apparently referring to an October 17, 2009 posting which said that both at UNAA Chicago and a Los Angeles Baganda conference, the USA army officer had claimed that he was leading the Buganda cause in America (see “Muliika And Frank Musisi To Headline Boston Buganda Emergency Conference“). Apparently, fully aware that the Buganda Post story was accurate, Lt. Musisi never told his Boston audience what Buganda Post had written which inaccurate, let alone malicious.

On October 17, 2009, over 300 angry Baganda from Boston, New York, Washington DC, California, Kampala and many other places attended the one day conference. Several sources told us that it was nothing short of an intense indoor demonstration against Museveni’s NRM dictatorship. It must have given Deputy Katikkiro Ssendaula a real headache (see “”). By far, the phrases which attracted the most standing ovations were,”Ssabsajja awangaale” (Long live Ssabasajja [Kabaka]” “Buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo” (”every goat back to its home peg”), “Teli kuteesa!” (”No negotiations”), “Ettaka lyaffe eribe tujja kulibajjako”(”we shall reclaim the land they have stolen from us”) and “Museveni must go!”.   By all measures, the conference was very successful in proving that Baganda love their nation and Kabaka. And that most Baganda are tired of the anti-Buganda Ugandan politics.

One attendee, who requested that we do not disclose her identity, described the meeting to us in an email as follows:  ”At the beginning I got confused because I thought that this was an emergency meeting, may be to decide how to deal with Museveni land grabbing. But for the first  two hours, people were talking about Buganda history and how Federo is good for other regions too. To me it was starting to sound like a Uganda emergency conference.”

The attendee continued: “However, things changed when one light skinned gentleman called Kintu spoke about the real problems of Buganda. In my opinion, that is when the conference really started.  Mr.   Kintu asked Baganda to stop fearing independence and power. He mocked those take the attention off Buganda’s interests to support Uganda’s fake politicians, mbu because they have military or international exposure. He got the biggest applause when he said, ‘Abo bannabyabufuzi bemwesibako bali recycled, tebalina kyebayiinza kutukolera mu lutalo luno” (”All those [political figures] you are standing behind are recycles materials, they cannot do much for us in this war”).  Everyone shouted loudly when he told us to stop mincing words when discussing Buganda’s enemies, and said we must not fear to name them.  And the audience started shouting Apollo Nsibambi, Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Ssekandi.”

According to our source Mr. Abed Bwanika, who previously stood against Museveni for president also got some people excited but, unfortunately, he never clearly said what he wanted. “He said a lot of things about how Museveni and his NRM have looted Uganda and have caused Baganda to suffer, but I never heard him firmly say that he is 100% for Federo or that he is for Buganda independence. To me it was clear that Bwanika wanted our support because he is a Muganda, but what can he realistically give us back, even if he became president?”

Owek. Dan Muliika and Lt. Musisi were the main speakers, as Buganda Post had reported earlier. Our source told us that Owek. Muliika as usual never disappointed. He gave a wonderful speech and explained that Museveni has no legal power to force the current constitution of Uganda on us. The different parts like Buganda, Toro, Acholi, Lango, etc., which formed Uganda must sit together now and agree on how to go forward. They can agree on Federo or even agree on ‘buli mbuzi ku nkondo yaayo’. Musisi, who is very popular in Boston, excited people when he said that Museveni must go. However,  he confused some of us when he started claiming that his life was in danger because of his stand on Buganda. Without explaining, he told us that Museveni plans to kill him but that he was not afraid of going to Uganda. Then he claimed that Museveni was paying Buganda Post to publish stories about him. The problem is that, at UNAA, Musisi really claimed that he was going to lead the fight for Buganda. Now, in Watertown, he was asking us give him financial support but it was for his personal hospital in Ssese, not for Kabaka’s programs.”

In a related development, we can report that all Kabaka’s representatives in North America did not attend the Boston conference, except the Acting representive for New England, a Mr. Jane Lwanga. However, Ggwangamujje DC and Ggwangamujje NY/NJ sent strong delegations, although none of them spoke at the conference.

When asked to comment on Mr. Musisi allegations, Buganda Post’s chief moderator and editor, Omulongo Nakato, said that it would be stupid for Buganda Post and Musisi and engage in verbal battles. “We try to do everything we can to maintain unity among Baganda. Also, occasionally we might make mistakes and will admit them. However, we stand by our story that, in front of many witnesses both at UNAA Chicago and in Los Angeles, Lt. Musisi claimed leadership of Baganda in America. And he and certain supporters of his made it clear that they wanted the Boston Emergency conference to announce one Muganda to carry Buganda’s flag in the Museveni’s 2011 elections. Mr. Musisi should listen to all the promotional SMS messages for the conference. If Museveni paid Buganda Post to write lies against Musisi, then he (Musisi) should specify what we wrote which is not true.”

For several days this week, a letter has been circulating on Baganda Internet discussion lists, allegedly written by Peter Sematimba, offering the NRM advice on how to weaken CBS FM Radio.  The alleged letter, which was supposed to be highly confidential, is addressed to the minister for Security in the NRM occupation government, Amama Mbabazi. It refers to a previous discussion on the subject with David Mafabi of Museveni’s state house.

Our state house sources most familiar with the activities of David Mafabi were not aware of any specific contacts between Sematimba and Mafabi. However, they confirmed that,  since the Kayunga civil disturbances, Mafabi has gotten more involved in activities to subdue Baganda. The source said: “Since the Kayunga riots, even Museveni now knows that Kabaka Mutebi could take him down, if he had enough bright and brave people in Mmengo to support him (Mutebi).  Because state house staff know that Museveni was shaken,  each one is trying to show that they have the best idea about how to isolate the Kabaka, scare the few bright and loyal Mmengo officials, strenghthen JB Walusimbi and disorganize the Baganda youth and Diaspora movements. In this environment, it would not be surprising if two money hungry people like Sematimba and Mafabi cooked up juicy deal along the lines of this letter. But I have no information to confirm it.”

On Sematimba’s part, he declined to reply to our email message, sent to the address he uses for business, info@superfmstation.com, inquiring if he could confirm or deny the letter. Calls to his radio station numbers 041- 272777 / 0782-222885 also got a “Boss is not in office” response.

On reading the anti-Buganda letter, a leading Buganda analysts based in New York,  claimed that serious Baganda should only be happy when Buganda’s enemies are exposed like this. He explained: “Many so called intelligent Baganda are still subconsciously slaves to the belief that a foreigner like Museveni or Besigye will save them. Others are equally delusional by thinking that some fast talking Muganda president of Uganda, like Abedi Bwanika or Samuel Lubega or Frank Musisi will help. Such Baganda are either ignorant or afraid to face the fact that Museveni and his Banyankore and Rwandese kin have ransacked the Uganda experiment. It  is a failed state! So, what does Uganda have to offer to Buganda anymore?”

The analyst continued: “What would stop Bwanika or Musisi from becoming a Sematimba once he gets power? The more intelligent Baganda know that a Muganda president of Uganda will have to go anti-Buganda, in order to maintain support from the other groups, who are uniformly anti-Buganda. This letter by Sematimba, is good for demonstrating that, Mulondo, Nsibambi, Bukenya, Mulwaanyamuli, Katende, Sekandi and Tamale Mirundi were not the last to betray Buganda. More like Bwanika, Musisi and Lubega are coming, only they might even be worse than Muwanga. The only way out is independence for the Buganda Kingdom. Fortunately, the younger Baganda who are the majority seem to instinctively understand it and that is why they are 100% behind Kabaka Mutebi.”

The controversial letter is reproduced in full below:

TO: The Minister for Security

Cc; David Mafabi O/P

Date: 2^nd/October/09

 RE: INPUT ON THE IMPACT OF THE CLOSURE OF FMs AND THE WAY FORWARD.

     Honorable minister, we discussed with Mr David Mafabi (office of the president) regarding the closed Radio stations, and i raised several issues with him which I present to you and may as well share with the powers that be at an appropriate time.

 First, I wish to express my reservations for the Broadcasting council for not doing enough to forestall the mess in the electronic media especially the fm stations more so in view of what befell the country .

  As much as we have endeavored to set standards at Super fm, we have been let down by our competitors who either out of fear for positive competition or deliberately for failing fulfill the requisites of professional broadcasting.

 With regard to the three closed stations, its my belief that the major protagonists are CBS and AKABOOZI while SUUBI FM is a nonentity in this jigsaw. It’s my conviction that you critically focus with CBS and AKABOOZI given their burgeoning presence in the FM industry.

Both FMs are a sister act especially with regard to violating the ethical code of conduct as per the press and journalist act 1995 and electronic media statute 1996 as well as the broadcasting council guidelines put in place for the electronic media to adhere to.

 We at Super FM can use this time of relative normalcy before the closed FM stations  are re-opened to fix the situation both on behalf of Government and the party as well as check on the activities of the broadcasting council on their part.

  Action Plan

I request that through your office you create a special desk where you can identify NRM cadres who can ably articulate party/ Gov’t issues on the air waves.

If this is implemented, am ready to offer a weekly program preferably during the day in fulfillment of this mission.  This will help us mobilize.

 Honorable, we are aware of the imposing status of these two stations and the expected new sense of belonging upon re-opening I think that there is a need to covertly reduce their influence in the industry.

 The stations will re-open with a bang and every listener will naturally want to associate with them after all this time in suspension. Its against this that if  no advance counter measures are put in place the bubble will bust  and you might not achieve the goal of their closure.

  For instance you can do this by demanding that they unconditionally shuffle various presenters in unfamiliar programs, i.e. from presenters to newscasters and vice versa.

  By so doing, you can institute an “independent” survey to rate FM stations and am positive that  the programs will be rating low after some time or/ and even most of the presenters will be disenchanted by the new set up  and may end up thinking twice.

Through this scheme, we can make amends by promoting those stations that are on the same page with the system

(e.g Super FM) and by the time they re-organize it will be after months when we have steadily set off.

  Alternatively, like we discussed with Mr. Mafabi, we can sweet talk a couple of presenters and draw them to the realization of not risking their careers and instead switch to the operating radio such as Super FM.

Personally am targeting two from CBS FM and two from AKABOOZI. For the fact I know that the management of both stations cannot agree to sack their prized presenters for the sake of re-opening them because they form the basis of their popularity.

 But I can assure you that if we cunningly implement snatching them away, it cannot take long before these presenters are beaten into line with what we want.

We has suggested with Mr. Mafabi and Tamale Mirundi that I make a presentation on the above issues so that I can give you a more practical picture on the way forward on this matter for the continuity.

Sincerely

Peter Sematimba

Ibrahim Semujju Nganda may not know it but he made Museveni sweat on July 12, 2009! According impeccable sources close to Mr. Museveni’s state house, this young man is the first person to make President Museveni sweat in his pants since he took over government by the barrel of the gun. And this happened during the infamous WBS TV debate where Museveni declared: “I can never allow Federo for Buganda”.

On July 12, 2009 Museveni participated in a debate with Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, political editor at The Observer news paper and John Kakande, news editor at the government’s New Vision. The moderator was one Peter Kibazo.  Despite the warm temperatures in Kampala, the Uganda strongman came clad in European winter clothing, including head gear, winter gloves, winter boots and a combed wool neck scarf. Seemingly awed by the presence of the president, Kibazo gave Mr. Museveni the opportunity to make a brief opening statement. Mr. Museveni characteristically attempted to belittle his debating opponents by saying that the came to WBS TV because after listening debates about the Teso famine, he felt, “[I am very] sorry that you could see these young people just speaking about things they don’t care to find out about or just viciously telling lies. I felt sad.”

Later in debate things got tough for Mr. Museveni attempted to patronize Mr. Semujju when the Observer editor asked the president why his government is perennially unable to plan for disasters like the ongoing Teso famine.  Semujju argued: “Mr. President, but if we did not see this as a country it means there is a big structural failure: that we cannot predict there will be a problem. Now that we have to go back to the budget and begin re-allocating, it is a failure on the part of government.”  Unable to effectively respond to Semujju, Mr. Museveni made what, according to our sources, was the fatal mistake. In response to another Ssemujju statement, “[Mr. President] there are now [Teso] people who come to you asking for food”, Museveni disjointedly responded, “Of course when they are distributing, Mr. Ssemujju Nganda who specializes in writing biased articles in The Observer, now you have extended your confusion to WBS…”. Semujju then fired the shot which reportedly made Mr. Museveni sweat in his winter clothing.

Semujju directly looked at Museveni and asked, “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” Museveni had no immediate answer.

According to our sources, Mr. Museveni felt so embarrassed and angry that this “small boy” had publicly challenged him. “Museveni had never had any Ugandan look him in the eye and asked him, ‘What is the bottom line?’ since, maybe Muliika. But even with Muliika it was a bit indirect. Whether it is Bukenya or Nsibambi or JB Walusimbi or Tinyefuza, everyone speaks in parables when talking to Museveni. To make things worse, the anger caused by Semujju got Mr. Museveni to unintentionally let out the secret that he would never allow Federo for Buganda.

After getting back to statehouse the president consulted Tamale Mirundi, Byaruhanga, Kobushenga, Mafabi, Mwesigye, Wabudeya and, I think, even Karooro Okurut. He  seemed to be really humbled and asking for opinions. That how it was decided that people like Tamale Mirundi and Wabudeya should issue statements saying that the Museveni was only expressing his current thoughts but it is the NRM to take official positions and he could also change his thoughts.”

The debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu left out the critical “Are you threatening me Mr. President?” question. However, it includes a part where Mr. Museveni says to Semujju in connection with another subject: “I am going to ask the lawyers to look at it. I am not threatening you, you have got rights and other citizens have rights.”

When asked to comment on this story before publication, a leading Muganda analyst based in New York commented: “Semujju may not know it but he gave Museveni his first real ‘Emperor has no clothes’ moment.  Museveni has been playing lion for so long, chasing various Nsibambis, Bukenyas and Bidandis to feast on.  It is clear that the man panicked when a Semujju chased him, even if for a 20 seconds.  What we Baganda are praying for is a Mengo which can understand and properly utilize our power to be lion and chase. Because,  the off-the-calf, inconsistent and sometimes apologist statements from Mengo on Bafuruki, Bukedde boycott, Federo and other major issues leave us wondering…”

Click here to read the full debate transcript made by Edris Kiggundu on the Observer newspaper site.

In a twist of irony, both Mmengo and president Museveni are happy about the news that the high court of Kampala has summoned New Vision Publications to file its defense in a suit filed on July 23, 2009 against it and its employees by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The employees are editor-in-chief, Els de Temmerman and reporter Barbara Among. Mmengo should be pleased because the courts appear to be acting expeditiously on their filing. On the other hand, sources close to president Museveni’s state house have told this writer that Uganda’s strong man is relieved and pleased because he was getting intelligence reports that Baganda anger was building and they were starting to look to Mmengo for direction on next steps. And now things are back to his sphere of influence.

On July 11, in a New Vision story titled “Bulange land title held over sh1bn debt”, one Barbara Among reported that Kabaka Mutebi had mortgaged Buganda’s Bulange land title for money he put to personal use. In reaction, a July 20, 2009 the Buganda Lukiiko passed 10 resolutions, including one calling upon Baganda to boycott the New Vision and the Luganda Bukedde, until they apologize to Kabaka Mutebi. Since then Bukedde readership has drastically fallen and there have been reports of people being beaten up or denied services in the counties of Buddu, Ssingo, Kyaggwe, Bulemeezi and elsewhere.

Our New York based analyst warns that, whenever you see Museveni, Nsibambi, Bukenya, Namayanja or Sekandi strongly agree with Mmengo, it is sign that bad news and disappointment for Baganda is on the way. They and several other NRM bigwigs started a campaign to push Mmengo to go to court, after reports of mounting Baganda anger last Tuesday. He adds: “In the broader picture, this kavuyo is about Museveni trying to keep Baganda and Mmengo permanently off balance, in courts, demonstrations, online discussion groups, etc. That way, they cannot get on the same page and create any roadmap for self-determination. Imagine, a few months ago is was the land act, 3 weeks ago the crisis at Mmengo was’ Kampala bamutwaala’. Then came,’ Federo will never come to Buganda’. Now it is ‘Kabaka vs. New Vision foreigners’. This one might last a few weeks and keep several Baganda going to court every day, because I am suspicious that Museveni will use the court environment to bring out a lot of Mmengo dirty linen on land titles, etc.  And while we are all glued on this one they will probably pass the law to take Kampala out of Buganda and conclude the sale of Entebbe airport to their partners.”

“It has been this way since the time when Museveni shortchanged Buganda on Federo during constitution making. The question is whether the people in Mmengo are genuinely incapable of seeing Museveni’s Machiavellian tricks or whether some of them are willfully helping him by misleading Kabaka Mutebi.  Only weeks ago Katikkiro Walusimbi was taking a check form Museveni to buy bean seeds, which we have not heard about again. Now, over the next few weeks, Kabaka Mutebi, our Ssabasajja will be waiting to hear how a commoner judge, appointed by a foreigner, determines the fate of his ‘complaint’. Which sane Muganda will be able to proudly tell his child that, ‘Kabaka taloopebwa’ anymore?. Museveni must be so happy, because he has Kabaka Mutebi where he wants him, pleading with his (Museveni’s) appointed commoner judges for mercy against those defaming him (Kabaka) in his own kindgom.”

Below is the report which was posted on Mmengo’s official website www.buganda.or.ug.

NEW VISION ORDERED TO SUBMIT ITS DEFENCE

By Ester Nakibuuka

The high court of Kampala has summoned the New Vision Publication to file its defence in a suit filed against it by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II for publication of a fabricated defamatory article about him.

The Company has been sued together with its Editor in Chief Els De Temaman and the reporter Barbara Among who wrote the defamatory article that Bulange title deed is being held by a senior cabinet minister in the central government for non payment of debts amounting to over one billion Ugandan shillings.

According to the summons signed by the Kampala high court registrar, Elizabeth Kabanda, the trio have been given 15 days within which to submit their defence.

Through his lawyers Masembe, Makubuya, Adriko, Karugaba and Ssekatawa Advocates, the Kabaka stated that the article published on Sunday the 12th July, 2009 titled “BULANGE TITLE HELD“, was false and malicious against him despite the fact that he has always been held in high esteem as the Kabaka of Buganda and a cultural leader of over 6 million people. He added that the article injured his credibility and reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of his society.

The suit further stated that the published article referred to his majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II because he is the only sitting Kabaka of Buganda, adding that some sections of the article even mentioned his son Prince Crispin Jjunju which made a large number of people who read the article to identified him as the person referred to in the article.

The Kabaka further stated that the article defamed him extremely since it implied that he had betrayed the trust embedded in the office of the Kabaka of Buganda and meant that he is grossly reckless and negligent in his conduct of affairs of the Kingdom as trustee.

The Kabaka stated that the article implied that he is dishonest as portrayed by his use of the Kingdom’s properties in his personal businesses. He added that the article portrayed him as an indebted person who has failed to pay off his debts and therefore in the process of selling off Buganda’s land to unscrupulous people for his personal gains.

In the suit, the Kabaka assured that hearing of the case will help him prove that he has never pledged, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of the certificate of Bulange title deed to any minister in government or to any one at all.

He further sated that the minister being referred to as coming from Sembabule district, Sam Kuteesa has already come out publicly to deny ever lending any money the Kabaka or being in possession of the said title deed.

He also stated that the hearing will help him prove that he has never personally borrowed any money from any other senior cabinet minister and that he has never transferred the titled into the names of Rexba limited, as it was alleged in the article.

The Kabaka stated that the publication had a motive to malice him because all the information in regard to the mentioned land titled is in his possession and went further to explain that if they had bothered to contact him before publishing the defamatory articles, the matter would have been cleared once and for all.

The Kabaka therefore wants court to order the New Vision Publication to retract the defamatory article and publish a front page apology to him as well as to the people of Buganda who were most affected by the story.

He also wants the apology to be published in both English and Luganda and also air special announcements on both the English and Luganda FM stations, owned by the New Vision Publications.

The Kabaka further wants an order from court that the false story be withdrawn from the New Vision website and also be rendered invisible, so that it is not read over and over again.

The Kabaka also wants court to order the New Vision to pay him damages worth his status for damaging his image.

The case will be presided over by Justice Kibuuka Musoke before the high court of Kampala.

Following in the footsteps of Milton Obote and Yoweri Museveni, UPC’s Olara Otunnu has, over the last 6 months, secured a deal (“mukago”) with respected foreign based  Baganda to promote his presidential candidacy. According to a press release dated July 11, 2009, Mr. Otunnu, an Acholi, has been joined four USA based Baganda men,  James Ssemakula (California), John Mayanja (Massachusetts), Mubiru Musoke (Massachusetts) and  Aloysius Lugira (Massachusetts) to form the Campaign for Democracy and Justice in Uganda (CDJ). According to our sources in New York, this is a major step in Mr. Otunnu’s plan to sell himself as the next savior for Baganda – following Obote, Amin, Okello and Museveni.

All Mr. Otunnu’s Baganda partners, with the exception of James Ssemakula, are long-term DP activists and it is not yet clear how their new relationship with UPC’s designated 2011Uganda  presidential candidate might affect their politics.  Additionally, Otunnu’s Baganda partners are all old men over 50 years old who have lived out of Uganda for decades. Interestingly, Mr. Otunnu has not included any of his many American based fellow Acholi’s in this group. Yet his UPC political and security infrastructure in Uganda is getting constructed exclusively by Acholis and anti Miria Obote Langis.

The CDJ leadership is clearly dominated by Baganda who are known to put Buganda and Kabaka first.  However, their press release does not even include the word “Buganda”.  Some Buganda watchers might interpret this as a sign that, like Nsibambi, Gilbert Bukenya, Sekandi and Kiddu Makubya, the CDJ Baganda members fear that direct promotion of Buganda interests would be “tribalistic” and embarrassing.

The press release announcing the formation of Mr. Otunnu’s CDJ is reproduced in full below:

—

PRESS RELEASE
 
Ugandans Launch Campaign for Free and Fair Elections
 
Kampala, Boston, London, Toronto
 
11th July, 2009
 
Today a broad spectrum of Ugandans launched a major national and international campaign for free and fair elections in Uganda. This collective patriotic mission is called Campaign for Democracy and Justice in Uganda (CDJ).
 
The interim president of CDJ, Mr. John Mayanja, stated: “Previous elections conducted by the Museveni regime, which has been in power for 24 years, were massively rigged and manifestly lacked a level playing field. We must absolutely change this. This is the primary reason for the formation and launching of CDJ.”
 
CDJ will campaign for the following norms and standards:
 
. genuinely free and fair elections;
. transparent democratic practice and process;
. the rule of law and accountability;
. justice and equity for all Ugandans;
. national unity.

 
These norms and standards constitute the foundation for democracy and good government in Uganda and worldwide.
 
CDJ is not a political party. It is a non-partisan advocacy project committed to advancing the norms, principles, and standards set out above. CDJ is not affiliated with any particular political parties in Uganda; it is a broad-based network of Ugandan patriots, within the country and in the Diaspora, of diverse political affiliations and persuasion.
 
A particularly important date is approaching on the Ugandan political calendar. The country is preparing to hold national elections in 2011. 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.
 
The interim chairman of CDJ, Olara A. Otunnu noted: “Today, Uganda is a country in the throes of a grave national crisis and distress. The best way to combat this malaise is the institution of genuine democratic practice and process, beginning with free and fair elections. This would allow the Ugandan people to freely choose and shape their own destiny. It would ensure that leaders are held fully accountable for their actions before the law and the electorate. Democratic process also is the best way to prevent resort to violent conflict.”
 
CDJ calls on Ugandan patriots of all hues, both within the country and in the Diaspora, to come together and mount a robust campaign for free and fair elections in 2011. The interim secretary, Professor Aloysius Lugira stated: “The norms and standards for free and fair elections are now universally accepted. Uganda must not continue to be a perennial exception to universally accepted standards”.

This campaign is in support of the demands for electoral reforms which have been jointly tabled by the political parties in Uganda. The campaign is being launched today on the occasion of President Barack Obama’s speech in Accra; we are inspired by his seminal message, in particular on free and fair elections, accountability, anti-corruption, anti-ethnic sectarianism, anti-nepotism, and equitable opportunity, as indispensable components of democratic governance. Significantly this campaign also echoes and is in line with observations and recommendations made in 2006 by all election observers, including the European Union, the Commonwealth, and Ugandan civil society led by the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) and the ruling of the Supreme Court of Uganda.
 
2011 must inaugurate a new era for Uganda–an era of free and fair elections, with a level playing field. Ugandans demand, deserve and will accept nothing less. As President Barack Obama stated today, “History is on the side of these brave Africans.”
 
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 Lugira (Interim Secretary)
 
For further information, contact:
 
Mr. Jude Mbabaali
Foundation for African Development [FAD]
P.O. Box 2326, Kampala
Tel: 041 4510 486/041 4269 562
Mobile: 0772 444 663
Email: mbabaalij@yahoo.com; fad@infocom.co.ug
 
Professor Aloysius Lugira
Tel: 617-552-3539 or 781-439-3875.
Email: lugira.cdj@gmail.com; lugira@bc.edu

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London, UK: What has Owek. Walusimbi Delivered?

Dear editor,

If I remember correctly, the former Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Daniel Muliika held Ddamula for 20 months. In that short time, he did many things for his nation. He recovered the land titles for many important Buganda lands across the kingdom. He crashed the Ssemwogere/Museveni regional tier poison and stopped the scam by Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Apollo Nsibambi and ‘others still at large’ to divide and sell pieces of Kabaka’s Lubiri to Sudhir and Salim Saleh. But most important, he woke Baganda youth up to understand that Museveni and his NRM were determined to make Baganda slaves or refugees in their own land.

Now, my question is, what has Engineer JB Walusimbi done so far? He cannot claim the 2008 Buganda Conference because it is former acting Katikkiro Ssendaula who copied that idea from the Baganda Ttabamiruka in USA.  The only thing Katikkiro Walusimbi talked consistently about for months is his Museveni funded Omumuli program where he even got Kabaka to distribute maize seeds.  Except now that few farmers planted those seeds he is quiet on Omumuli. The rest of the time, the Katikkiro has either been in secret meetings with Mr. Museveni or complaining against any Muganda who does not love the NRM. Seriously, what will Owek. Walusimbi tell us he has done for Buganda after twenty months in office, which will be a few months from now? And I mean for Buganda, not for Museveni!

Awangaale Ssabajja,

JC Ssempasa,
London

California, USA: Buganda Leadership Vaccum

Gutusinze Ssabasajja.

The leadership gap in Mengo is putting Buganda at a very big risk because even here in the diaspora we are starting to have NRM and fake Baganda take over our organizations.  In London, Boston and Washington DC we now have people who are much more loyal to NRM and Museveni than to Namulondo, taking over Baganda organizations.

Ai Ssabasajja we were first shocked to hear that some people who are suspected to be  funded by Uganda tax payer money disorganized the Gwangamujje of Boston elections two month ago. Then came word that  during the Gwangamujje of Washington DC elections a few weeks ago they allowed non-members, visitors and even children to vote.  Unbelievable but true is the fact that the returning officer who supposedly ruled all these irregularities legal (NRM style) is Omulangira Kalema, the Kabaka’s representative in Washington DC.  This taking over of Baganda organizations is already paying off for Mr. Museveni and his people. I have read news that his ambassador Perez Kamunanirwe has been invited to preside over Buganda Day on June 27, 2009. Yet, when Buganda Day was started in DC, it was to remember Baganda heroes, starting with Ssekabaka Luwangula Muteesa II, who have died while defending your kingdom against Ugandan governments.

Magulunyondo, what is happening in London and USA with Balangira betraying Namulondo and some Baganda thinking that they cannot do anything without involving NRM or Banyankore and Banyarwanda is a result of “the surrender” at Mengo.  Cuucu, we pray that God may bless and guide you to a decision that can deal with the weak leadership at Mengo.

Wangaala nnyo Sabasajja.

Name Witheld (on request)
California, USA

On May 21, 2009 former Los Angeles, California, resident and now owner of Radio Star, NRM candidate Peter Sematimba was declared the new LCIII chairman for Rubaga after a bitter election fight marred by massive irregularities. Even the Uganda government mouthpiece, the New Vision, on May 22, 2009 reported the results under the heading “Rubaga LC3 polls marred by rigging”.  Sematimba, who moonlights as a church pastor, won with 15,799 votes. The votes which Sematimba received represent 47% of the 33,314 cast in the elections, but only  9.3% of the 170,557 voters on the Uganda Electoral Commission roll of registered voters in Rubaga. According to NRM sources, more than 900 party activists were paid to irregularly vote in Rubaga. Also, over 2,000 pre-marked ballots were successfully stuffed into boxes across the 250 polling stations. Still, the total votes, including the irregular ones, represented a voter turn-out of only 19%.

While Peter Sematimba and most of his NRM supporters are celebrating his official victory, some political analysts think that this election is evidence that President Museveni and his NRM dominated brand of democracy could be rapidly collapsing. One New York based Muganda analyst, who requested that we withold his name, told us in a phone conversation: “Museveni, Nsibambi, Amama Mbabazi, Nakabirwa, Mrs. Museveni and so many other NRM heavyweights supported Sematimba. Then Peter blanketed Rubaga with constant campaign messages on his own radio station. Add on the fact that NRM people paid voters, ferried in illegal voters and stuffed the ballot boxes with thousands of votes. After all that, failing to get a turn-out over 30% in Rubaga is a clear message that the people of are fed up with Musevenism and are thirsting for something else.

“My contacts in FDC admit that many of those who kept away are former FDC Baganda who were convinced by Kamya that Ssebugwaawo was being used by Bakiga who were as anti-Buganda as Museveni’s regime.  FDC is dead in Buganda! Others were turned off by the leadership vacuum in DP and fairly good evidence that Mr. Museveni was funding the DP candidate (Makumbi) through ex-convict and Kampala mayor Haj. Nasser Sebagala. The bottom line is that Museveni and his people should now know that only about 5% of the people in Rubaga were genuinely convinced by Sematimba, Museveni, Nsibambi, Amama Mbabazi and other NRM big wigs to go vote for Sematimba. And at least 70% of the registered voters in Rubaga are opposed to or fed up with the Museveni circus. But that situation is much worse for NRM when it comes to Baganda, especially the militant youths below 25 years. So, if Sematimba or Museveni think that NRM won big in Rubaga, Baganda nationalists should be happy because it is better to have a stupid enemy than a smart one.”

The runner-up to Sematimba was Moses Makumbi of the Democratic Party (DP) who got 9,807 votes (29 percent), followed by Joyce Ssebugwaawo of FDC (15%) and four lesser candidates receiving less than 10% each. Makumbi conceded defeat and congratulated Sematimba quickly after the results were announced, leading to speculation in some DP circles that he was paid something to legitimize Sematimba as soon as possible. On the other hand, according to FDC sources, Joyce Sebugwaawo intends to challenge the elections results in court citing massive fraud by NRM activists with the Uganda Electoral Commission looking the other way.