Ugandans in the Diaspora International Inc.  (UDII) has taken steps that will guarantee hot Uganda style political battles in Washington DC come September. The organization, which was created by UNAA members who supported Capt. Frank Musisi during the last UNAA elections, has announced that they will organize their own Ugandan convention in Washington DC, on September 3–5, 2010. This puts them in direct competition with the NRM sponsored UNAA convention a few miles away. Buganda Post has received a few emails from USA based readers with the UDII convention announcement. Another Ugandan conference on the same weekend is organized by UADA in Boston (see “Competition Between UNAA and UADA Heats Up, Ssenkumba Accused of Hiding In Bu”). UADA was formed by another UNAA election loser, and NRM man Flex Kabuye. However, it was later taken over by a then well financed supporter of Capt. Frank Musisi, Mr. William Senkumba fof Los Angeles. In another twist, Mr.Senkumba hurriedly left California for Bu weeks ago leaving most decision making in the hands of Nixon Andama, Ruth Kobusingye and Alan Rwabogo.

In addition to the above Ugandan convetions, the Baganda also have Ttabamiruka ’10, a conference which is organized and sponsored by Ggwangamujje NY/NJ. Based on the information from www.ttabamiruka.com, the Baganda conference is focused on Buganda and Baganda issues.

As of early February, the principals in UDII were Messrs James Kabonge, Michael Muganga, Kawunde Miti, Fred Kambugu and Dennis Nnyondo, all Baganda Boston (see “UDII Members Respond To Baganda UN Demonstration Story”). The official UDII site, www.ugandansinthediaspora.org does not provide any information on the current leadership or membership of the organization.

The UDII conference announcement is reproduced below without editing.

Ugandans in the Diaspora International Inc. (UDII)

Washington D. C. Labor Day Weekend Conference

Ugandans in the Diaspora International Inc. is organizing a conference on Labor Day weekend – September 3rd – 5th, 2010 at the Westin Washington National Harbor Hotel, in Washington, D.C.

The theme is “The Urgent Need to Effect Political Change in Uganda”

Key topics that will be discussed at the conference include:

1. The current political situation in Uganda in light of the upcoming elections

2. The abuse of the electoral system, and criminalization of the political system

3. Human right abuses

4. The relationship between the Ugandan and the American Governments

5. The massive corruption and misuse of U.S. and other foreign aid to Uganda

The US government has been one of the biggest supporters of the Uganda regime for over 20 years. Without this critical support, the regime would not have survived for the two decades that it has been in power. However, there are now welcome signs that this unconditional support is far from being a permanent fixture. These signs include recent public pronouncements by the US government on democratic governance in Uganda.

Per announcements on Ugandan internet discussion groups, the Uganda government is preparing a massive lobbying effort in Washington, D. C., during and following the UNAA Convention, largely in response to actions taken by the current U.S. Administration, and Congress. The Uganda Government is sending a big delegation to the UNAA Convention which will stay behind after the event to continue its lobbying efforts, at Uganda taxpayer expense, especially with regards to next year’s elections in Uganda. A demonstration against this extravagancy is planned to take place during the conference in Washington, D.C.

It is therefore incumbent on the Ugandans in the United States to inform, educate and prepare the Washington DC establishment about the true nature of the situation in Uganda. This conference is part of this effort. The conference will bring together experts from various organizations, both private and public to discuss the Uganda political situation in detail. UDII will make arrangements for various opposition members attending the Convention to meet with key people in Washington DC to explore how the U.S. government can strengthen the opposition in Uganda in order to foster true democracy in Uganda.

A conference program will be forthcoming. If you plan to attend, please reserve a room at the Westin Washington National Harbor Hotel, phone number, 1-888-627-8104 http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/UGI03A

In preparation for the Conference, please read NRM’s original Ten-Point Program, available on several websites.

If you want to be part of this effort or need further information, please contact us at info@ugandansinthediaspora.org

Ttabamiruka ’10, the premier Baganda conference in the diaspora, shall take place on September 3-6, 2010 in the township of East Brunswick, New Jersey. We have been informed by a reliable source in Mmengo Bulange that the Lion of Buganda, Ssabasajja Kabaka Mutebi II is expected to grace Ttabamiruka ’10 and the organizers are in discussions with Mmengo. According to the conference website www.tabamiruka.com, the theme of the conference is “Freedom is Not Free!”.   You can download the conference card and poster from the conference website by clicking here on Card and Poster respectively. You can also listen to Ttabamiruka advertisements the May 28, 2010 Ekiba Kibe program by clicking on Ekiba_Kibe28May10B.

The Ttabamiruka conference which is sponsored  by Ggwangamujje NY/NJ, is the only major Baganda  conference that is fully independent of the NRM influence. This will be the 3rd Ttabamiruka conference sponsored by Ggwangamujje NY/NJ since 2007 and the first one since the Kayunga massacres and the burning of Kasubi Tombs.  Kabaka Mutebi, the then Katikkiro Ssendaula, Omutaka Alan Nakirembeka and officials from Buganda Government and the Lukiiko attended Ttabamiruka ‘07. Ttabamiruka ’08 was boycotted by the Buganda Government under Katikkiro Walusimbi. The $195 registration and $85 hotel room at high class Hilton Hotels make Ttabamiruka ‘10 the most affordable so far.

In the meantime, the battle between UADA and UNAA, which are organizing competing conferences for Ugandans on September 36, 2010 continues to offer colourful developments.  More information is coming out linkimg UADA president,  Mr. Ssenkumba, to convicts Eric Mukasa and Julius Kabukuru (see “Competition Between UNAA and UADA Heats Up, Ssenkumba Accused of Hiding In Bu”). We now can report that Mr. Ssenkumba was an associate of the two criminals in the tax preparation and other businesses before they went to prison. We can also report that Mr. Ssenkumba is well known both to certain Buganda government officials and members of Museveni’s state house as a rich man.  Certain officials in the two institutions are known to be doing or trying to do deals with Mr. Ssenkumba.

But it is not only the UADA main financial and president who is accused of serious problems. UNAA is also haveing a tough time after learning that Nnabagereka Sylvia Nnaginda would be betraying the Kabaka and people of Buganda if she attended NRM financed UNAA Washington. Their reaction has been to print even more materials claiming that the Nnabagereka will be there.

Ggwanga Mujje DC has released a press statement announcing ceremonies to commemorate the beginning of the armed occupation of Buganda by the Uganda Government. Notably, some of the top leaders of Ggwangamujje Washington DC, especially Fred Kalema-Musoke and Michael Kimbugwe-Kalema have also been pushing hard for the Nnabagereka to attend the NRM sponsored UNAA 2010 conference. Kalema-Musoke also serves as the Kabaka’s representative in Mid-Eastern USA.

The press statement is reproduced in full below:

The Baganda Community, Friends and Supporters of Buganda Kingdom,

You are cordially invited to Buganda Day Banquet and Picnic.  Please review flyer (attached) and information below for details.

Subject: Buganda Day 2010 and Picnic and Fair Updates

Dear friends, please find attached the information regarding Buganda Day 2010 as well as Buganda Fair/Picnic.

In addition to the information in the flyer, I wish to let you know that:

- We have the latest adult’s and children’s Kanzus (traditional Ganda tunics) on sale. Call 240-418-5480.

- Note that the Picnic/Fair (Saturday May 29th) is the day before Buganda Day (Sunday May 30th)

- Parents, you may want to bring bathing suits and a change of clothing for your young ones.

- Be ready to have fun fundraising for the restoration of the fallen Kasubi Tombs. If you thought the last fundraiser was fun, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

- We will have a number of rare items on sale at the picnic and on Buganda Day (t-shirts, Ugandan dry food items, crafts, etc.).

- Feel free to change into your favorite dance outfit for the dance part of the banquet on Sunday.

- Be sure to catch the red-carpet event at 6.00pm on Buganda Day.

Ideas of what you can bring to the picnic (Saturday):

1) Burgers and buns

2) Hot dogs and buns

3) Chicken (grill ready)

4) Tossed Salad

5) Potato Salad

6) Pasta Salad

7) Veggie Plata

8) Fruit Salad

9) Water melon

10) Cookies

11) Corn (cooked)

12) Potato Chips

13) Surprise us!

Drinks:

1) Sodas -

2) Beer – 5 cases

3) Wine -

4) Water

5) Punch

6) Surprise us!

Thank you for your continued support.

Awangaale Ssaabasajja!!

Flavia Magoba

Buganda Day Coordinator

Please visit us at www.ggwangamujjedc.org

Late last week, source who we know to be pro UNAA sent us an email claiming that the president of the Ugandan Diaspora and American Development Association (UADA) is hiding in Buganda after California courts issued a warrant for his arrest.  When our agent in Boston inquired with a UADA source,  she said that she heard of similar rumours but claimed it was the UNAA trying to spoil Mr. Ssenkumba’s name.  However, she hinted that Mr. Ssenkumba’s accusers could be mistaking him with his business partners, Kabukuru and Erica Mukasa who had some “minor problems with the law last year.”

Following the tip from our Boston source we found out from the United States District Court, Central District Of California, that, in fact, Erica Mukasa (42) and Julius Kabukuru (38) were imprisoned late last year. They were arrested in August 2009 on Federal charges of:  CONSPIRACY, ENCOURAGING OR INDUCING ALIENS TO ENTER OR RESIDE IN THE UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY, and IMPROPER ENTRY BY ALIEN.

So far it appears that Mr. Ssenkumba is a victim of the ruthless Uganda style politics between UNAA and UADA. UADA was started by 2009 UNAA presidential candidate Flex Kabuye after losing the election to Moses Wilson. Within a few months Kabuye was kicked out of his own party for still unclear reasons. Los Angeles based William Ssenkumba who became the new president and has provided major funding.

In the meantime, only last week Mr. Ssenkumba appointed a minister in the Buganda Government, Owek. Nakiwala Kiyingi to be UADA’s representative in Kampala. She is expected to be charge of local registration arrangements for the UADA convention in September 2010. Interestingly, at UNAA Chicago in September 2009, minister Kiyingi appointed Mr. William Ssenkumba as a Buganda Tourism Commissioner in the USA.  Now, Mr. Ssenkumba and Owek. Kiyingi are bosses to each other. This strange arrangement may become a minor concern for Kabaka’s Government if the rumours about Mr. Ssenkumba were to be true.