The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation (Champions) have asked president Museveni of the occupation Uganda government to be careful about the likely ramifincation of two contravesial NRM bills on AID and Homosexuality. Museveni’s NRM government is quietly pushing for passage of the two bills by Uganda’s rubberstamp parliament.  In a letter signed by Festus Mogae, the Champions chairman, the group tells Museveni that, if passed, the NRM laws, which include imprisonment for those convicted of homosexuality, would go against international human rights standards and best practices for combating AIDS.

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation is a group of former African presidents and other influential personalities, have agreed to meet this challenge by advocating for a renewed and revitalized response from our regional leaders, with a focus on proven HIV prevention measures. It is chaired by Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana. Members include Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Mukapa and others. More details about the Champions are available on their website at www.hivfreechampions.org.

 The letter to the presdent of Uganda’s occupation government is reproduced below:

OFFICE OF THE CHAMPIONS SECRETARIAT

Festus G. Mogae
Chairperson
Telephone: + 267-3914071/3914082 Fax: + 267-3914097
Plot No. 115, Unit 4 Millenium Park Kgale Mews GABORONE
P/Bag 00318 GABORONE BOTSWANA

October 30, 2009

CFHIVG-PR-200910

 His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda
State House Nakasero
P.O. Box 24594
Kampala, Uganda

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Champions for an HIV -Free Generation, I send you warmest greetings and best wishes.

We, the Champions for an HlV-Free Generation, are on a mission to exchange ideas and encourage stronger and more visionary leadership in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Sub Saharan Africa. Our mandate is to promote key policy, legal, cultural and behavioral practices, as well as messages that help accelerate the social outcomes needed to achieve an HIV-free generation.

The first is a draft Bill, the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009,” recently introduced by a private member’s motion in the Parliament of  the Republic of  Uganda. Among the most disturbing  provisions of the bill are: Incarceration for any person convicted  of  ”homosexuality”; a sentencing of death for anyone with HIV convicted  of  ”aggravated homosexuality”; incarceration for “promotion of homosexuality”; criminal penalties that apply to citizens and permanent residents living outside of Uganda; and declaring null and void any “international  legal instrument whose provisions are contradictory to the spirit and provisions enshrined in this Act:”

The second Bill that has come to our attention is the draft “‘HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill,” currently under debate in the Uganda Law Reform Commission. Many positive aspects of the bill exist, including provisions against discrimination of people with HIV and AIDS in schools and at places of work. However, one provision of the Bill stipulates incarceration for offenses related to the “breach of safe practices of HIV prevention.”

Your Excellency, we respectfully express our concern at the provisions referenced in these two Bills and fear that passage of such legislation, which deviates from international best practice and recommendations, could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS and the groups most vulnerable to the epidemic.

The 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS, adopted by all UN Member Stares, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of those “at the greatest risk of, and most vulnerable to, new infection as indicated by such factors as … sexual practices.” At the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS, the Member States reiterated their commitment underlying the need for “full and active participation of vulnerable groups … and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against them … while respecting their privacy and confidentiality.” Furthermore, assessments conducted by UNAIDS for the General Assembly have confirmed that stigma, discrimination and criminalization faced by men who have sex with men are major barriers to the movement for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

UNAIDS has recommended that governments respect, protect and fulfill the rights of men who have sex with men and address stigma and discrimination in society and in the workplace by amending laws prohibiting sexual acts between consenting adults in private, enforcing anti-discrimination, and promoting programmes for men who have sex with men who may be especially vulnerable to HIV infection.

With respect to the “HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill”, UNAIDS and other international best practices recommend against HIV -specific criminal laws, laws directly mandating disclosure of HIV status, and other laws which are counterproductive to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support efforts, or which violate the human rights of people living with HIV. Inappropriate or overly­ broad application of criminal law to HIV transmission creates a real risk of increasing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, thus driving them further away from HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

Your Excellency, the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation believe that positive action by both government and individual leaders of stature, like yourself, can help create environments that promote HIV prevention efforts and behaviour change. We humbly ask that you take action to halt the harmful provisions in the draft Bills cited in this letter, and by doing so, preserve the rights of all Ugandans.

Yours Sincerely

Mr. Festus G. Mogae

Chairman of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation and Former President of  the Republic of Botswana

Copied To:
(a) The Champions: Their Excellencies: Kenneth Kaunda, Joaquim  Chissano and Benjamin Mkapa; His Grace, Desmond Tutu; Dr. Speciosa Wandira; Justice Edwin Cameron; Prof. Miriam Were and Ms. Liya Kebede

(b) Chairman, Uganda Law Reform Commission

The Government of Buganda has published the press conference on the second Buganda Conference, slated for December 2009. The government is bravely taking on this challenge in the midst of a military occupation by Uganda’s NRM government, led by Yoweri Museveni. Most Buganda analysts think that it is too early to tell what Museveni will do about the conference.

The press conference, which appears on the official Buganda website, www.buganda.or.ug, is reproduced in full below:

BUGANDA CONFERENCE FOR 17TH DECEMBER 2009

Buganda Kingdom is organizing the second annual Buganda Conference to be held on the 17th December, 2009 at Hotel Africana under the theme “a Federo System of Governance for Uganda”.

The conference is an annual event graced by the Kabaka of Buganda with an aim of creating a platform for debate and interactions on the Kingdom’s issues.

According to the chairman organizing committee who also doubles as the Kingdom’s attorney general, Apollo Makubuya, the conference is expected to attract over 1000 participants from across the country.

He explained that discussion on federalism for Uganda is very important because many people have mistaken it to be an issue for only Buganda.

According to Makubuya, the conference will enlighten people within and outside Buganda that federo is not about Buganda seceding from Uganda or attaining a superior position but to grant power through the law to people in various parts of the country to work on developing their regions.

He added that the conference will also discuss the regional tier government among other issues and why Buganda Kingdom does not want it.

Makubuya reassured that the conference will be addressed by prominent scholars from various parts of Uganda and renowned international scholars on federalism from countries like Nigeria, USA and the United Kingdom among others.

He explained that unlike last year’s conference which was free of entry, this year’s event will require registration with a fee of 25000 Ugandan shillings each. He added that this fee has been set to help the organizers in the preparations of a successful event.

The conference was first held last year as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 15th coronation anniversary. However, due to the numerous problems encountered this year, the Kingdom was forced to shift the event to a later date.

Given it’s success last year, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was greatly impressed and resolved that the conference be held annually.

The conference which was themed “Development and Governance of Buganda in Uganda” attracted several scholars including renowned Professors Ali Mazurui and Mahmood Mamdhani among others.

It should however be remembered that last year’s conference was interfered with by the arrest of three Buganda Officials Medard Sseggona Lubega, Charles Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze Bakireke. Sseggona was arrested early morning before kick off of the conference while Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze were captured late night after the conference. The trio were held hostage and incommunicado for a week during which they were dragged into several cells in various parts of Western Uganda including Bundibujo, Masindi, Ibanda, Kabarole, Kagadi Fort Portal and Kyenjojo.

The sale of invitation cards to the public shall be announced very soon.

The Buganda Kingdom attorney general, Owek.  Apollo Makubuya said in a press statement yesterday that the second Buganda conference would take place on Saturday December 17, 2009. Owek. Makubuya, who chairs the organizing committee explained that the  conference would clarify the differences between Federalism, Decentralization and Regional Tier.  The theme of the conference is to promote federalism as the best form of governance for Uganda.

Decentralization is an improvised form of government which Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and Uganda’s warlord president, Yoweri Museveni, implemented in 1995, with the help of Denmark, Norway and other western countries. It was brought in to derail Buganda’s demands for a federal system (Federo). Regional Tier is a highly unpopular (in Buganda) form government which was secretly negotiated between Museveni and Katikkiro Mulwaanyamuli Ssemwogerere, which would have allowed Museveni to take charge of the Buganda government and for non-Baganda to assume the cultural office of Katikkiro.

When announcing the 2009 Buganda Conference, Owek. Makubuya revealed that federalists from the USA, UK and Nigeria were expected to participate in the conference. Participants are also expected from Busoga, Bunyoro, Toro, the Diaspora and academia. Owek. Makubuya suggested that Buganda is politically isolated and promised to fix the problem by making it clear that Buganda is not demanding for Federo alone.”

Two weeks ago, a retired former Buganda Government official currently visiting in North America, told us that there are three camps at Mmengo on the issue of Buganda political situation. He said: “The situation is similar to administration of Katikkiro Michael Kintu in the early 1960’s. Kintu and his supporters pushed for Buganda independence, arguing that all our neighbors secretly hated or envied Buganda and could not be honest partners in the long run. They were accused of being ‘radicals’, not accommodating and even ‘uncivilized’. Today, it is Muzei Nsubuga Nsambu in the camp which is accused of the same because he insists that Buganda must not repeat past mistakes and the solution is secession.”

The elderly grandfather continued: “Opposite to Kintu’s camp, in 1960, was a larger camp which was ‘more educated’ and liberal camp, which promoted ‘Federo for all who want it’. Mayanja Nkangi, who now helps Museveni manipulate Buganda’s lands, was one of these young firebrands and ended up becoming Katikkiro. Even today the second camp are viewed as the more educated and modern and, like 45 year ago, they are  pushing hard for ‘Federo for all who want it’.  History is repeating itself 100% except that Museveni is more sinister and dishonest than the colonialists or Obote.

“The third camp, both in 1960 and now, are those who either do not have enough information or enough courage to push for one side or another. Thanks to Buganda’s democratic traditions, all camps are expected to have their say at the Buganda Conference in December. Also expected is heavy infiltration of occupation government agents, to intimidate people and influence events.”

The organizers of the Buganda Emergency Meeting, which took place on October 17, 2009, in Boston USA, have published the resolutions from the event (see “Muliika And Frank Musisi To Headline Boston Buganda Emergency Conference“).  We first received a copy of the resolutions at around 4:00 PM Boston time but it took us until 7:30 PM to verify that it was genuine. That is when a highly reliable source confirmed to us that the document was being circulated on the top Baganda discussion lists by Mr. James Semakula, one of the organizers.

Buganda post is preparing a story, together with in depth analysis, on the Buganda Emergency Meeting to be published over the weekend.

The resolution document is reproduced in its entirety below:

Resolutions of the Buganda Emergency Meeting in Boston on October 17, 2009‏

Preamble:-

Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICFSCR), guarantee the right to self determination of all people;

Convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the NRM government has violated fundamental human rights;

Saddened by the gross, unjust and inefficient governance inflicted on the people of Uganda by the NRM regime;

Realizing that Unity is essential to achieving our collective objectives;

Determined to rid Uganda of bad governance, dictatorship, and corruption;

Condemning strongly the NRM government’s continued interference in the running of independent institutions and intrusion into the running and electoral process of organizations of Ugandans in the Diaspora;

We hereby earnestly resolve as follows:-

1.    Establish structures to analyze and determine the resources needed to achieve our objectives.

2.    Advise the Kabaka not to directly negotiate with Museveni, his government, or agents of the NRM regime.

3.    Take appropriate steps to fundraise in order to finance the necessary activities to lead to change and the establishment of genuine democracy in Uganda.

4.    Pursue all legal channels that are useful in achieving our objectives including, but not limited to, international legal action.

5.    Educate the International community about the true political situation in Uganda through demonstrations on a regular basis and lobby work at the New York UN headquarters, Washington DC, and other major cities in the world.

6.    Boycott, effective immediately, all government media and other anti-Buganda entities.

7.    Intensify civic education of the people about the problems and possible solution to the problems being faced by Buganda.

8.    Reach out to other Ugandan ethnicities and groups with a view to making alliances to advance the cause of Democracy and Federalism.

9.    Expose government spies, informers, and traitors– and record their illegal activities within and outside Uganda for the purpose of future prosecution.

10.  Seek better Medical treatment for Mrs. Betty Nambooze Bakireke.

11.  Reject (unanimously) the Regional Tier as a form of governance in Uganda.

12.  Agree that Museveni and his regime must go; and resolve to establish a mechanism for free and fair elections

Some British Baganda are angry at Deputy Katikkiro, Emmanuel Sendaula, and Kabaka’s representative in UK, Nsambu Musisi, for asking them (the Baganda) to keep quiet at a time when their Kabaka and nation are under a state of occupation by the NRM government.

In a Luganda letter that was addressed to all Kabaka’s representatives overseas, Owek. Sendaula indicates that the Kabaka’s representative had been informed in the past that, earlier, the Buganda government passed a resolution that Kabaka and the Ugandan warlord, Museveni, should meet. He adds that the meeting which took place has improved the communication between the two sides. He states that the two sides exchanged documents based on which negotiations were to take place; the Katikkiro would inform Kabaka’s representative in due course.

The Deputy Katikkiro’s letter includes no references to ordinary Baganda except when he asks Kabaka’s representative to tell the Baganda in their areas to be  “very calm”. Owek. Sendaula provides not information at all to his audience to pass over to Baganda in their area. His letter does not include any reference to the 30 Baganda who were massacred by the NRM occupation government, the hundreds who were injured and the nearly 1,000 who have been arrested and tortured over the last two weeks. The Deputy Katikkiro’s letter is dated Monday October 15, 2009, only 2 days after Kabaka’s minister, Lubega Sseggona, was arrested by Museveni. However it does not mention the plight of Ssegona. Even most important, the Deputy Katikkiro letter saying nothing about the health and general well being of Ssabasajja Kabaka, who all Baganda know has endured tough and stressful times since the NRM occupation power barred him from going to Bugerere and started murdering his subjects.

Also significant is that, in his letter, Owek. Sendaula never mentions ordinary Baganda who live the Diaspora. He never acknowledges the allegiance they have shown to the Kabaka and Buganda with their demonstrations and other actions. He only refers to these loyal subjects when he says, “You, the representatives of Ssabasajja outside Uganda should encourage the people you lead to be very calm to give a chance to the negotiations that have started between the Uganda government and Buganda Kingdom, which aim to address Buganda’s open issues.”

In his letter to UK Baganda, Kabaka’s representative Nsambu Musisi also skipped any acknowledgement what UK Baganda have done to show the loyalty they have to Buganda or the Kabaka. And he amplifies Owek. Sendaula’s letter, telling Kabaka’s subjects in UK: “It is best that any planned demonstrations in Britain be postponed.”

One of our sources in London reported that many Baganda in UK are incensed at the condescending attitude of  Owek. Sendaula and Mr. Nsambu Musisi. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Mr. Musisi has popularity issues with most UK Baganda who feel that he was imposed on them by Katikkiro Mulwanyaamuli. According to our source: “Baganda here in London believe that blood of Baganda shed by Museveni only a week ago and the ongoing torture of hundreds of his subjects are most important to Kabaka Mutebi. But that a few cowardly and greedy individuals are helping Museveni to isolate Kabaka from his subjects by making him appear more interested in CBS Radio money or the firing of Tamale Mirundi.”

Another source, who is a computer engineer and Nkoba za Mbogo veteran went as far as challenging Deputy Katikkiro Sendaula and Mmengo to explain why they are eager to sell a Buganda’s which has survived nearly 1,000 years to a man whose true identity is questionable. He said: “First Walusimbi, Sendaula and a few money angry Mmengo personalities were used by Museveni to trick Kabaka into becoming a negotiator. That was an effort to break the centuries old custom, ‘Kabaka tateesa‘. Now they are trying to get a short term, short sighted, secret Regional Tier deal with Museveni based on getting quick CBS Radio and bribe money, to protect their personal interests. That is why they don’t even care about the Baganda blood that was spilt, those in prison or even bad image Kabaka Mutebi may get among his subjects.

“Anyway, they cannot stop us from resisting Buganda’s occupiers and protecting out Kabaka and national interests. The only reason that Museveni is even learnt to dress up, walk as if his feet are OK and behave like a civilized person in front of the Kabaka last Wednesday, is because he and his fellow Balaalo were panicked by the demonstrations September 10-11, 2009. The demonstrators in Buganda, London, New York, Boston and elsewhere showed the Ugandan NRM war lords that Buganda has a backbone. It makes common sense that Baganda must only increase demonstrations if they want to make it clear to Museveni and his NRM occupiers that they have no future without agreeing to all Buganda’s demands. Akeenda, return of all our properties, payment of arrears and Federo.  These demands are well known by all Ugandans, so why would our demonstrations against the murder and senseless arrest and torture of Baganda change anything?”

When contacted for a comment on this story, our New York based Buganda analyst had this to say: “I think Owek. JB Walusimbi and his supporters in Mmengo have made a terrible mistake of sacrificing Nambooze, Sseggona, Mpuuga and other so called Mmengo radicals to appease Museveni, Bukenya and the businessmen in Mmengo. I suspect that if Walusimbi continues on this path then he (Walusimbi) will have no influence at all when the next major demonstrations by Baganda happens, because the demonstrators might be looking for his head. It is like the children making an alarm (okukuba enduulu) when they see a robber running way with family property. Suppose the robber panics and starts to appear cornered. I think that even a 6-year old would smell something fishy if the father comes out of hiding, doesn’t show concern about the children killed or kidnapped by the robber and tells the whole family to keep quite, so neighbors don’t come as he secretly negotiates with the robber.”

Below are the letters from Deputy Katikkiro Sendaula and Mr. Nsambu Musisi respectively (in Luganda):

.

Letter from Owek. Sendaula

Eri:       Ababaka ba Ssaabasajja bonna mu nsi z’Ebweru

Okuva: Oweek. Amb. Emmnauel L. Ssendaula, Minisita w’Ensonga za Buganda  Ebweru

Ensonga:Ensisinkano ya Ssaabasajja Kabaka ne President wa Uganda

Olunaku: Lwakutaano nga 02/10/2009

Nkulamusizza nnyo era ne nkwebaza emirimu gy’oweereza Mukama waffe Ssaabasajja n’eggwanga lyattu Buganda ng’osinziira eyo gy’oli.

President wa Uganda ne Ssaabasajja Kabaka wa Buganda baasisinkanye mu State House e Ntebe nga 30/09/2009.  Akakiiko Akafuzi (Cabinet) aka Gavumenti ya Ssaabasajja Kabaka nako kaatudde eggulo nga 01/10/2009 ne kakubaganya ebirowoozo ku nsisinkano y’abakulu abo ababiri.

Nga bwe mumanyi obulungi, Gavumenti ya Ssaabasajja yayisa ekiteeso ekisemba Ssaabasajja ne President basisinkane.  Kirungi nti ensisinkano eyo yayambye nnyo okuteekawo empuliziganya wakati waabwe bombi etaabaddeewo okumala ebbanga.

Katikkiro yategeezezza Obuganda nti waliwo ebiwandiiko ebyawanyisiganyiziddwa President ne Ssaabasajja Kabaka byetegerezebwe buli ludda.  Kati Katikkiro ne Gavumenti ya Ssaabasajja twefunyiridde mu kwetegereza ensonga eziri mu kiwandiiko President kye yawadde Ssaabasajja kyokka ate nga tusuubira nti ne President yeetegereza ensonga eziri mu kiwandiiko Ssaabasajja Kabaka kye yamuwadde.

Ekiseera ekituufu bwe kinaatuuka, Katikkiro ajja kutegeeza Obuganda ebinaaba bivudde mu nteeseganya.  Mu kiseera kye kimu Katikkiro ayongedde n’akubiriza Obuganda okubeera obumu wamu n’okubeera abakkakkamu ennyo nga tulwanirira ebyaffe.

Mu ngeri y’emu nammwe ababaka ba Ssaabasajja ebweru wa Uganda, musaanye okukubiriza abantu be mutwala okubeera abakkakkamu ennyo tusobole ffenna okuwa omukisa enteeseganya ezitandise wakati wa Gavumenti ya Uganda n’Obwakabaka bwa Buganda, nga zigendererwamu okukola n’okugonjoola ensonga za Buganda zonna ezikyali mu ddiiro.

Ssaabasajja Kabaka Awangaale!

.

Letter from Mr. Nsambu Musisi

Abazaana n’abasajja ba Ssaabasajja,

Mbalamusizza nnyo nnyini era mbebaza emirimu gyemukola. Ate mbebaza ekyensusso obumu n’obuwagizi bwemulaze eri Ssaabasajja mu kasEera akabade akazibu. Ssabasajja gyaali ateredde ntEnde naye nga akyaali munakuwavu olw’Abantu be abaafa na balumizibwa mu kwekalakaasa okwaaliwo

1. Mbasaba musome ebbaluwa eri wansi weno nga eva ewa Owek Ssendaula nga eyogera kubiriwo kati. Nsaba mugisome.

Ntegezeddwa nti olw’okwagala okutekawo embeera ennungi ‘conducive environment’ eneyamba enteseganya wakati wa Ssaabasajja Kabaka ne President wa Uganda okugenda mu maaso,  kyandibadde kirungi singa Abaganda tugira tukyaleka ebyo ebibadde bikolebwa okulaga nti tuli benyamivu nga muno mwemuli n’okwekalakaasa.

Gavumenti ya Uganda nayo egambye nti egyakulekeraawo ebikolwa eby’okusomooza Buganda.

Kale no n’olwekyo kyandibade kirungi singa okwekalakaasa okubadde kugenda okuberawo e Bungereza kugira kuyimirizibwaamu. (Postponed).

2. Nebaza abo bonna abakawa ensimbi ez’okukubagiza amaka agafiirwa abantu baabwe mu kwekalakaasa. Abamu abatadde ensimbi ku ‘Bank Account’ tebalaga mannya gaabwe. Nsaba buli atadde ensimbi ku Account okumpereza amannyage tusobole okuwandiika olukalala lw’amannya getunawereza embuga nga tuwereza ensimbi zino ez’okukubagiza.

Mu kiseera kyekimu nsaba abo bonna abatanadukirila mulanga guno okugezaako okwayo obuyambi nga butekebwa ku ‘Bank Account’

Ssaabasajja Kabaka Awangaale

J Nsambu Musisi

Omubaka

A radical Baganda nationalist organization has warned president Museveni of Uganda about his plans to force Kabaka Mutebi of Buganda to meet him (Museveni).

According to a statement issued by Asumani Balwaana Kaama, the spokesman for Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje, “Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the 36th Kabaka of the Buganda nation, is the symbol of our being, our culture and our pride. He is however NOT our servant or spokesperson and CANNOT negotiate anything on Obuganda’s behalf. The religious leaders who are supposed to be in the Kabaka’s entourage are also neither honorable nor competent to represent Obuganda. They are not authorized to represent or speak for Buganda’s interests at this meeting.”

The Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje statement is reproduced below:

WARNING TO DICTATOR MUSEVENI ABOUT SSAABASAJJA
“NO ONE SPEAKS IN BUGANDA’S NAME WITHOUT THE DIRECT AUTHORITY FROM OBUGANDA”

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to express and as well convey its profound and heartfelt sympathies to families that lost loved ones, Obuganda and all Ugandans during the September 09 public demonstrations in Kampala.

We acknowledge that Buganda is presently under occupation, just like Northern Uganda has been over the past 20 years. However, Dictator Museveni and his henchmen will be held personally responsible for these crimes against humanity at an appropriate time in the near future.

In a futile and cowardly show of strength, Dictator Museveni is forcing a meeting with His Majesty, Ssaabasajja the Kabaka of Buganda in an effort to claim some bizarre dark victory in the current standoff.

Dictator Museveni is praying and hoping on forcing concessions that will be of detriment to the Kingdom of Buganda from His Majesty the Kabaka.

In the absence of CBS Radio, and in an environment dominated by pro NRMO media, the Dictator wants to use the occasion of the face to face meeting to make some kind of rapprochements on dense ideas such the Regional Tier and other nonsensical projects like the Land Bill, Extension of Kampala, an Elected Katikkiro, the Creation of Saaba… this and Saaba… that, within Buganda.

Thereafter, the Dictator will want to claim that the Kabaka will work directly under his orders from now on.

Warning to the Dictator

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to warn Dictator Yosweri Tibahurwa, Kayibanda Museveni, that if he goes ahead with this futile meeting, the Obuganda will not accept or be bound by whatever agreements he will come up with.

His Majesty, Ssaabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the 36th Kabaka of the Buganda nation, is the symbol of our being, our culture and our pride. He is however NOT our servant or spokesperson and CANNOT negotiate anything on Obuganda’s behalf. The religious leaders who are supposed to be in the Kabaka’s entourage are also neither honourable nor competent to represent Obuganda. They are not authorised to represent or speak for Buganda’s interests at this meeting.

Obuganda will therefore not recognise or accept whatever concoction this meeting might achieve.

Any further attempts by Dictator Museveni to compromise or denigrate Ssaabasajja Kabaka or the institution he represents will result in a quick and effective uprising never seen before in the Great Lakes region which will finally rid Uganda of a Dictator with questionable and poor breeding.

The Union of Councils for Ggwanga Mujje would like to graciously and humbly remind Ssaabasajja Kabaka Mutebi to ensure that he does NOT smile or shake hands with Dictator Museveni , or sit anywhere within 5 feet from him, EVER.

We know for a fact that Dictator Museveni‘s intention is to bewitch His Majesty, Ssaabasajja Kabaka and take his influence and powers so that he can rule Uganda forever. Dictator Museveni obtained Juju (fetishes) from Cameroon which required him to sacrifice at least 50 adolescent virgins (school fires, Buddo etc) and the final act of this ritual is a face to face meet with Ssaabasajja Kabaka and shake his hand. That is why Dictator Museveni has been so pissed off and lamenting about the Ssaabasajja not taking his calls for over two years.

If His Majesty the Kabaka decides to meet the Dictator, whatever takes place must not compromise the dignity or undermine Ssaabasajja’s authority among his subjects.

AWANGALE SSAABASAJJA

Asumani Balwaana Kaama

Union of Councils for Gwanga Mujje

Sources in the Uganda Foreign Affairs ministry have informed us that president Museveni changed his mind about leaving the USA early after reconciling with Libya’s Moammar Gadaffi, getting some badly needed sleep and overcoming much of the panic he had about Kabaka Mutebi back in Kampala. Apparently the lowered stress also led to a reduction in Museveni’s foot pain, which kept him seated in the UN even when everyone was standing or walking around (see “Kabaka, Obama, Foot Pain, and Baganda Demos Force Museveni To Leave USA“. Museveni reportedly arrived in Boston on Friday and, if his feet remain stable, he will be the chief guest at the 2009 NRM Forum.

Our reporter in Boston has learnt that the Kabaka’s anti-Museveni subjects made no changes in the demo plans, even after word came that the Ugandan warlord might not show. They were willing to demonstrate even if Ruhakana Rugunda was the chief guest. An estimated 500-1,000 are expected to demonstrate against Museveni and his anti-Buganda NRM government.

In the meantime, last week Baganda from the whole North East USA announce plans to protest at the NRM Gala, which will be hosted at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel, downtown Boston (see “USA Baganda Demonstrations Set for Boston NRM Gala“. The Baganda demonstration will take place at We will be holding a rally tomorrow, on Saturday September 26, 2009 at the Boston Common on the same also at 110 Huntington Avenue in Boston. Museveni is expected to start speaking at 10:00 AM and the Baganda intend to start their demonstration one hour earlier and continue after he finishes. Major news media organizations are expected to be present.

On September 23, 2009, Museveni decided to leave the USA early and skip the NRM Forum after being snubbed by President Obama and getting embarrassed by a large pro-Kabaka demonstration at the UN by about 100 Baganda. Museveni fortunes changed when Libyan military dictator, Moammar Gadaffi, agreed to meet with him in New York City. According to our sources, the two African warlords reconciled and agreed to work together on the  Buganda  issue.  Museveni was reportedly cheered up by the Gadaffi, reconciliation because believed reports by his dysfunctional  intelligence that Mmengo was getting assistance from Libya.  The Libyan side has down played the reconciliation however, a sign that Museveni needed it much more than they did.

In an indirectly related story, we have received unconfirmed reports that although Museveni’s feet became much better on Thursday after he got some sleep, he still needs to keep then in a basin of cold water to relieve pain. And he is still anxious to return to occupied Buganda and continue his efforts to  force Kabaka Mutebi to talk to him.

A reliable source in the Uganda Foreign ministry has discreetly informed us that Uganda’s military strongman, president Yoweri Museveni will probably leave the USA prematurely on Thursday or Friday this week. Previously, Museveni had planned to stay until Sunday so that he could attend the annual NRM Gala in Boston. According to the source, Museveni had planned to go to New York after humiliating Baganda by succeeding to force Kabaka Mutebi to meet him. Certain influential Baganda who expect to personally benefit if Buganda accepts the Regional Tier government and CBS Radio is reopened, had promised to deliver Kabaka Mutebi by last Saturday. However, by the time Museveni left for the USA the Kabaka had said “No” to what seems to be a trick to make him (the Kabaka) appear like he is prostituting himself in exchange for re-opening CBS Radio.

Our source said: “The frustration that the president feels about the Kabaka’s tough stance has made it so difficult for him to get sleep and aggravated his feet problem, to where he cannot stand for 10 minutes.”  The source gave this as the reason why president Museveni greeted several important personalities at the UN while sitting, even when everyone around him was standing.

Our source also reveals that Museveni had gone to the USA with the expectation that he might have a one-on-one meeting with President Obama. However, Mr. Obama preferred to meet all African leaders together and give them a lecture about the need to stop dictatorships and create jobs – the things where Museveni is doing worst. The source adds that: “The bipolar president was not amused to then hear that about 100 Baganda were going to hold a major demonstration during his UN speech and accuse him of genocide in front cameras from major USA news organizations.  With the increasing worry about the Kabaka situation, the Obama snub, the burning pain in his feet and hostile American Baganda, Mrs. Museveni convinced her husband that staying in the USA longer is too risky.”

Museveni and his wife plan to depart from the USA sometime on Thursday or, latest, on Friday. At the time of posting this story, it was not clear if Museveni’s state house had even informed all concerned ambassadors or the NRM Gala organizers in Boston.

According to an email  we received from someone who claims to have attended  the Ggwangamujje meeting held in New Jersey on Saturday, the attendees agreed to declare Buganda to be under captivity.  “Everyone agreed that there is no question that Kabaka has done a wonderful job in these tough times. Also that the Baganda who are resisting Museveni’s dictatorship are real heros. We also agreed that Kabaka Mutebi made the right decision to call off the visit because he was totally surrounded by Museveni’s poorly trained forces and his subjects were at risk. In the end we declared Kabaka and Buganda to be in captivity.”

The email promised that an official statement is supposed to be issued by Ggwangamujje officials and it will most certainly say that Buganda is in captivity. And that those Baganda who agree must from today on work for one thing, the freedom of their Kabaka and country, Buganda, from the captivity (buwambe).  They  are confident that as time passes Baganda masses will understand this and stop discussing any  politics except for the withdraw occupying forces. They have no plans to waste time taking Museveni to his own courts or worrying about Uganda elections while Buganda is captivity.

In a related story, evidence continues to mount that President Museveni is becoming more panicky every passing day after his forces massacred young unarmed Baganda last week. On Saturday and Sunday, after closing down Baganda owned radio stations, he launched a press campaign in his New Vision and Aga Khan’s The Monitor claiming that he was to meet Kabaka Mutebi this week. But our sources tell us that Katikkiro Walusimbi and Regional Tier advocates (Mulwaanyamuli clique, Mmengo based businessmen and  Uganda politicians eager to personally gain from Regional Tier) are secretly working with NRM officials to force the Kabaka  to talk to Museveni. And Museveni, panicking after the scare of last Thursday, is so obsessed with talking to Ssabasajja  that, on Wednesday, he publically complained to the Uganda parliament that, since Saturday he has been the Kabaka without success.

Uganda’s vice president, Dr. Gilbert Bukenya has told Kabaka Mutebi and his subjects to forget about  the Federo, which they are agitating for.  Bukenya is supposed to have made these statements in an interview that is published in government owned and controlled Sunday Vision of September 6, 2009. Bukenya was echoing the statement made by president Museveni, during a July 12, 2009 public debate On WBS TV, where he (Museveni) declared: “I can never allow Federo for Buganda”.

August 16, 2009 Bukenya attended the Coronation Anniversary celebrations in Lubiri where Omutaka Nakirembeka chided the vice president and other Baganda members of the NRM government for  parroting their anti-Buganda bosses. Kabaka Mutebi , in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Museveni’s TV declaration, made clear that Buganda would not tolerate any more double-talk on Federo. The Kabaka said: “When we hear some people saying that they don’t know what Federo means, I think they have failed to understand what we mean. You should reply to them that Federo is all about justice and truth, and this is what we demand.”

On his part, Bukenya told Kabaka Mutebi and the tens of  thousands of Baganda present that:  ”Buganda’s Federo concerns are genuine and we need to talk about them seriously. I will make sure to recommend to the appropriate authorities that they be handled.”  Apparently  Bukenya  chose the newspaper interview format to inform  Kabaka Mutebi and his subjects to forget Federo, only saying, “We are giving them a regional government.”

Below is what Bukenya told Moses Mulondo of the new vision in response to a question on Federo. According to our sources in Ugandan media, Bukenya and Uganda state house were involved in composing both the question and the answer . Moreover, Bukenya’s answer was first  shown to the Uganda state house, by Robert Kabushenga, before publication. Therefore, all the vagueness (kavuyo) it contains is intentional.

Question: Do you think Buganda’s demands on federalism are genuine?

Answer: Lets  first of all make this very clear. Long time ago when the Europeans came to the centre of Africa here, there was an absolute monarchy. All the power and the leadership was enthroned in the king of that kingdom. He would even order for the killing of a person if he wanted. When the British came in they started taking away power from the king and giving it to the chiefs.

That was the beginning of process of reducing absolute monarchism. By 1950 monarchism was beginning to die out because the colonialists had introduced elections. Once they introduced the system of one  man one vote, democracy began to take over from the monarchy. Today you would be wasting time or dreaming if you thought of going back to the absolute federalism of the monarchy we used to have before the colonialists

But the Buganda kingdom is not demanding for the federalism it had before colonialism, rather, it is demanding for the federalism it got in 1962 after we had acquired independence

But the 1962 federalism is what we are giving them. We are giving them a regional government. They told you to manage many things; I do not know what they were told to manage in 1962. However, I want this to be re-emphasised for it seems to be our major disagreement. In a democratic arrangement you cannot expect that there will ever be a leader of a government without their being voted for by the population. It’s not possible.

That is why we have been saying, ‘why we don’t dissolve some power by creating regional governments whose leaders will be voted for by the people?’ The central government can give some power and you can call that federalism. But the previous federalism of an absolute monarchy is gone forever.

The full interview is available in the Interview sections of the Sunday Vision at www.sundayvision.co.ug.