US Army Lieutenant Frank Musisi has responded to the Buganda Post story about the January 26, 2010 Baganda demonstration at the UN, for which Ugandan in Diaspora International (UIDI) deceptively claimed responsibility. Our January 28, 2010 story asserts that UIDI did not organize the Baganda demonstration, that UIDI took photos at the demonstration and manipulated them to suggest that UIDI had organized the demonstration, and that UIDI principals include Lt. Frank Musisi, James Kabonge, James Semakula, Michael Muganga, Fred Kambugu and Kawunde Miti (see “Anti-Museveni Diaspora Organization Faces Accusations of Deception“).

In his strongly worded email response.Lt. Musisi accuses Buganda Post of trying to “divide Lt. Musisi and Baganda” with its stories about him. He then lists what he calls the facts, highlighting his US Army career, his incorruptibility, his principles on dealing with the NRM occupation government and Olara Otunnu, and his charity work in Kalangala, Ssese county.

Notably, Lt. Musisi does not deny that he is one of the key members of UIDI or that UIDI attempted to deceptively take responsibility for a demonstration that was organized by Baganda who are not its members. Nor does he demand any form of apology or retraction from Buganda Post.

We reproduce Lt. Frank Musisi’s email below without any editing:

From: M. Musese [mailto:najjuma@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 1:55 AM
To: Patricia NakatoBugandaPost
Cc: najjuma@hotmail.com
Subject: Please do some homework before you make yourself a total full!

Dear Editor/ Patricia Nakato:

Happy New Year and hopefully everything is going on well with you.

I have just read your article on your blog after a concerned friend called me from Boston and I was tottaly offended.

Anti-Museveni Diaspora Organization Faces Accusations of Deception

I just want to give you some advice that you need to do some home work and due diligence before you post such lies and make yourself a total full. I want to let you know that I know all of you and the people writing all the garbage. This started right after I visited Mengo and was well received, your intention is create a wall between Lt. Musisi and Mengo but you will never succeed. I am above the frey and all the games, I am not the one to eat this “Kanyeebwa”! Good luck to you, but not Lt. Musisi to buy this one! I have a little bit of training!

My advice is that when you write anything about me, you need to do some due diligence and a little bit of homework, before you embarrass yourself more in future. A courtsey of a phone call to me or an email would have saved this embarrasment!

The last time you wrote about me was that, “Buganda Conference to endorse Lt. Musisi for President in Uganda”! Now you are implicating me more in some deceptive roles! You must be on a very serious campaign to divide Lt. Musisi and Baganda, your tactics are below the belt and won’t succeed. I will continue to work and help Buganda regardless of your desire and intention to create a wedge between me and Buganda.

Facts:

I was on military assignment from January 22- 24 in Dallas, TX and then back at my office in Los Angeles on 25 January. Never participated in of the Demonstrations.

1) I  am NOT a member of any political party in Uganda, not even a single one and do not subscribe to any. The day I will join Ugandan politics everyone will know and I don’t need to hide myself. It will be in broad day light.

2)       I have never and will never sell Buganda’s interests as you imply.

3)       I am only involved in non-profit organizations/work that are/is helping Ugandans both in Uganda and those here in the U.S. Just last month I was involved in an immigration court in Boston helping fellow Baganda to gain stay in the U.S. and I am very proud to say that I was able to help them in them in thier time of need. This is the type of work that excites me and the one you need to writing about, but not creating divisions amongst Baganda. I am working hard to fight HIV/AIDS in Kalangala District and that’s were my emphasis is right now and I would encourage you to write about that work on: www.siaap.org I know through this work I will be able to touch many people and help Buganda and Uganda. I challenge to write a positive article about this work in Kalangala because it will help better serve the Baganda and Buganda you claim to love.

4)       Dealing with Uganda Government, and my dealings are never secret. I have always and will always deal with the Uganda without compromising my integrity, character and professional and nothing will stop me! Dealing with the Uganda government is not a CRIME, only those who go there to sell Buganda and take bribes are the ones we should condemn, but not Lt. Musisi who is voicing voices of the  voiceless! My goal is to present majority views without compromising my integrity and professinalism, I am INCORRUPTIBLE! NO ONE CAN BRIBE ME!

5)       I don’t work for the Uganda government and I have never been paid/bribed by the Uganda government. My paycheck is from the U.S. Army and not the Uganda Government!

6)       There is nothing wrong with Baganda including myself in dealing with Olara Otunu or any Northern brothers and sisters, if I chose to, but that does mean selling out Buganda. I know why you are writing this nonsense, your goal is to create a wedge between tribes! Your major intention is divide Baganda in the Diaspora but I personally won’t be one of them. I have been dealing with our Northern brothers for a long time and last year I toured the Acholi land and I have no regrets.

7)       I am sorry I am extremely very busy with my work, as one of the Mobilization Action Officer for my Unit I am extremely very busy with no time to engage in this time wasting activities of yours. But your intention is to divide Baganda but you will not succeed. I don’t know why you involve myself in activities that I never participated in.

Again as I pen off, I challenge you to write about my work in Kalangala: www.siaap.org that way you will be helping the Baganda in Ssese Islands. Another challenge is for you to come out of the closet and write openly like me!

Sincerely,

Frank Musisi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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