One of the outcomes of the recent Buganda liberation meeting, in Boston, was the exposure of an NRM government slavery program against Baganda people in Uganda. The Boston meeting, which took place on January 23, 2010 triggered serious talk about the now open secret that the NRM government illegally imprisons unemployed Baganda young men for short periods, during which they hire them out as causal labor, at no pay, to wealthy NRM supporters.

The Chairman of Ggwangamujje Boston and the anchor of the Luganda Ekiba Kibe program on SMS based Free Buganda Radio strongly condemned Museveni’s Baganda slavery scam on January 25, 2009.

It is public knowledge in Buganda that the NRM government frequently arrests unemployed youths, charges them for being “idle and disorderly” and imprisons them for brief a few weeks and them releases them. What is disturbing to many Baganda in the USA is that Museveni’s police and prison service official are taking advantage of Uganda’s primitive laws to hire the short-term prison inmates to wealthy Banyankore, Bakiga, Rwandese, Indian and other business people (including some Baganda) as slave laborers at no pay. To avoid raising serious human rights concerns, the unfortunate Baganda youths are normally released as soon as family members start to pursue the case.

When asked for comment, a reputable New York based Muganda political analysts told: “Nothing can be put beyond Museveni and the NRM now. The law allowing prisons to hire inmates out as laborers have been on the books in Uganda since the 1970’s, but no Ugandan government has ever abused it to the point of creating a slavery ring. What is very unbelievable is that, as my contacts in Kampala have told me, the NRM police who arrest the young people actually screens out Baganda and let virtually all other ethnicities go.  I understand that at least 95% of the slave laborers are Baganda.”

Our analyst continued: “It is bad enough that Museveni and his cronies have turned young Baganda into modern day slaves. What is incredible is that, as I have reliably been told, high officials in the Buganda Government are probably aware. And at least one of them could be a beneficiary.”

To listen to Mr. Mayanja and Mr. Kabuye on the January 25, 2009 Ekiba Kibe program, click on Ekiba_Kibe25Jan10B.

Thanks to pressure from ordinary Baganda and politicians who are scared of losing votes in Buganda, Uganda’s life president Yoweri Museveni, would like to reopen Buganda’s CBS FM Radio now. However the prospects of this happening appear poor, given the growing number of power centers that oppose it and his own crude stubbornness.

Museveni erected the first hurdle when he decided to set what many observers consider unreasonable conditions, for rescinding the illegal closure of the most popular radio station in Uganda. The ridiculous conditions, even by the standards of donor governed Uganda, included firing all presenters who annoyed Ugandan president in the past, moving the radio station headquarters to a location more agreeable to the NRM government, only airing cultural programs and, most incredibly, dropping legal cases that CBS employees filed against government.

According to local press reports, the Buganda minister of information, Owek. Medard Lubega Ssegona, reacted swiftly, saying in Luganda: “Tetuyinza kuwaayo Bwakabaka  batuweemu leediyo. Obukwakkulizo bwa gavumenti bumenya Konsitityusoni n’amateeka amalala.” (“We cannot surrender our kingdom in exchange for a radio station. The [NRM] government’s demands are illegal.”). At the same time, a sources in Mmengo told us that Katikkiro Walusimbi and other businessmen in Buganda Government want to negotiate with Museveni on the conditions but are simply overwhelmed by the other forces.

The most formidable force against opening of CBS under Museveni’s arbitrary conditions is the Baganda masses and the Bataka (clan elders). This group, which also includes CBS Fans Club and the more nationalistic members of Buganda government, misses the radio station most and is putting most pressure on Museveni to re-open it. However, they are strongly opposed to the reopening if it will lead to changes in their radio station’s format or presenters. Although Kabaka Mutebi is quiet on the issue, word on the Baganda street is that he is fully with his subjects and the Bataka (as Ssabataka, Kabaka Mutebi is part of the Bataka).

Also strongly opposed for the reopening are Baganda members of the Ugandan opposition political parties, DP, FDC and UPC. Most of these political types would like CBS to remain closed until the 2011 elections to maximize Baganda anger and anti-NRM feelings. Joyce Nabbosa Sebugwaawo is a strong activist in the Bakiga/Banyankore led FDC and she quoted by the local press saying: “Gavumenti ekole ky’eyagala bwe baliyagala baligizzaako. Obukwakkulizo bwe batutaddeko tebujja kukola era tubugaanyi. Banaffe oba basazeewo kukola nga bannakyemalira, katubaleke bagende mu maaso.” (“Let the government do whatever they want. Whenever they decide they can reopen it. The conditions they have imposed are impractical and we rejected them. Our colleagues have chosen to be dictators, we will let them go ahead.”)

Others opposed to the CBS opening, but possibly working independently, are disgruntled NRMs who feel betrayed by Museveni. One example is Janat Mukwaya, who, according to state house sources, Museveni is anxious to drop. Mrs. Mukwaya reportedly knows this and she has already decided not to run for re-election in 2011. But she is privately afraid about her future, including the personal safety of her family because of the anti-Baganda crimes she has committed on behalf of  the Museveni who is now dumping her. Another one is Museveni’s vice president Gilbert Bukenya, who is seeing red over the not so subtle murder of his son followed by the the highly public ridicule by Museveni and Tamale Mirundi over the CHOGOM car scandal. These two and other disillusioned NRMs, reportedly now have individual “Ffena tufiirwe” (“If I lose everyone must lose”) agendas in connection with CBS Radio.  In general, they are pushing for CBS to remain closed so that hatred for Museveni and Banyankore in Buganda may increase. Short term agendas.

Buganda Post has reliably learnt from a source very close Dr. Gilbert Bukenya that the vice president in  Uganda’s oppressive NRM regime is fuming, after president Museveni ignored his (Bukenya’s) political enemies and counseled him to stop quarreling everyone. The Muganda source told Buganda Post: “Our man is extremely frustrated because Museveni refused to even listen to his complaints about Kahinda Otafiire, Mbabazi, state house mafia and even Tamale Mirundi. He was hoping that Mirundi would be fired but  Museveni pretended that he was not even fully aware of the feud between his VP and his press secretary, Mirundi.

“Instead, he counseled our man to stop quarrelling with every in the public when there are so many other correct forums.  He even went as far as telling Bukenya to reconcile with Mbabazi  and take photos together publically,  to show a good image.  Our man did not like that but he obliged as good team player.  What really annoyed Bukenya, though, is that after the Mbabazi thing, Museveni then told Bukenya to also reconcile with Tamale, a junior officer, whom our man was demanding to get fired. Not only was Tamale not fired, but Museveni ordered the two of them to stop attacking each other in the public.”

Our source says that, for now, Bukenya has to behave like everything is under control but, under the surface, he is fuming at Museveni, Kuteesa, Amelia Kyambadde, Mirundi, Otafiire, Saleh, Kainerugaba and several others who we know are conspiring to destroy him. The source also reveals that, after the apparent murder of his Sandhurst bound son by some of these people, Bukenya’s friends are very concerned about his  own life. The source elaborated: “These people are ruthless and they know all Bukenya’s weaknesses.  And Museveni has set  Bukenya up as an enemy of Buganda, by encouraging him to abuse Kabaka and Baganda. Our fear is that, these mafias can do something to the man and claim that it the angry Baganda nationalists who did it.”

On December 26, 2009, vice president Bukenya told the NRM mouthpiece, the New Vision, that the Museveni authorized the corrupt transaction that involved the irregular acquisition of vehicles for CHOGOM.  In the same interview Bukenya made anti-Buganda and anti-Kabaka statement, which was prepared for him by Museveni’s state house: “If Buganda wants to advance in a democratic era, it is not a matter of Mengo accepting or not accepting. It is a matter of understanding the future of Uganda. And the future of Uganda lies in consolidation of a democratic process. There is no more time for undemocratic systems of government in Uganda. Choosing a person without going into one-person one-vote is no longer acceptable. Therefore, Buganda and its cultural leadership must now begin to recognize legitimately elected members of their society like the President, MPs, district chairpersons, councilors, and other local government leaders.”

On December 30, 2009, Museveni’s press secretary, Tamale Mirundi hit back at Bukenya when he told the local press that the vice president should “stop hiding behind the President’s name” on CHOGOM because Museveni twice wrote opposing the breach of procurement rules before the tender of the supply of the 204 cars was awarded. Tamale continued: “If you are a Vice President and then you start hiding behind the President, then you cannot succeed… Was Prof. Bukenya a running boy of the President? He had the opportunity to meet and advise the President in all the meetings, what stopped him from doing so?”.

Then in an interview published on December 31, 2009 in the The Monitor newspaper, Bukenya reacted to Tamale Mirundi’s attack with full force, calling Mirundi a “small boy” who should be ignored. Bukenya reportedly went on say: “It is very interesting that a junior staff can make such comments on the second highest office in this country. I would be very interested if that person puts his comments in writing… Is it true that the President has disowned me like Tamale wants the public to believe? I am not aware, and if it is true, I wish to know it… I talk with the President every day. How comes he has never said such? Sometimes those small boys can want to make you go astray but that will not be the case.”

For days afterwards,  Bukenya tried to talk to Museveni without success, thanks to Amelia Kyambadde. It is now a public secret that Bukenya then went rouge. He started and fanned a rumor that he was ready to retire, to confuse his enemies and get Museveni’s attention. He also secretly solicited the help of other disgruntled NRMs like Mike Mukula to stage a “don’t resign” rally for him in Kakiri. According to the NRM’s New Vision newspaper,  Bukenya told the rally on January 9, 2010, that he was like Kilimanjaro and Tamale could not climb him. He added: “I am closely following Tamale Mirundi step by step. I want to know who is putting fire in him. When I get to know, I will call you here and name them.” Bukenya finally got Museveni’s attention, which eraned him the lecture to stop quarreling with everyone and the order to reconcile with Mbabazi, Otafiire and Tamale Mirundi.

As president Museveni’s press secretary, Tamale Mirundi is answerable to the Ugandan life president and his principle private secretary, Amelia Kyambadde. Historically, Tamale Mirundi never makes any statement without getting clearance from Museveni or Amelia. It therefore seems that Bukenya’s threats to name who is putting fire in Tamale Mirundi could have brought him to is current situation.

A Muganda youth named Tesian Batenda requested us to publish her her appeal to other young Baganda. We have a policy of not publishing atricles and letters are too long (more two and half pages in MS Word). However, we thought that Tesian’s article and its contents were too important to reject on that basis. We do expect that in future Tesian will write articles that make her major points in fewer words.

Below is Tesian Batenda’s article with minimal editing to remove grammar errors.

Baganda Youth be watchful, vigilant and resist manipulations!

Put Buganda First

By Tesian Batenda

Those of you the Baganda youth of today, who have analyzed the series of events in our nation Buganda and theirs Uganda, you have noted that several elements repeat themselves in these two nations.   This explains a great deal why Buganda Nation has failed till now to realize her aspirations namely among others self-rule.

Firstly, up to the present day, we have never had Buganda army and that explains why we are being tossed like ping-pong in the so-called negotiations.  The Buganda delegations in all the negotiations lost significance and weight right [from] the 60s when the Kabaka Yekkas  sold Buganda nation to Langis UPC by the 21 Baganda MPs (Ekitole made an alliance with UPC).  Today Buganda’s participation to any negotiation cannot be termed as equal partners but as “YES SIR Partners” and of course to [rubber stamp].

What went wrong?

With Mengo you will always expect surprises and sometimes [shocking] ones. What I remember from my dead father, strong supporter of DP, before he died, the man never stopped talking about the moral, psychological, cultural grief, torture and  bitterness he suffered from The Kabaka Yekkas.  Instead of voting for DP, my father like many Baganda,  voted Kabaka Yekka (KY) because of their loyalty to the Buganda Kingdom and their Kabaka.

Kabaka Yekka (KY) dumping Democratic Party, predominantly fellow Baganda and selling Buganda to Langis, the ordinary Baganda have never stomached it,  Till the present day  the Kabaka Yekkas have never officially apologized to Buganda Nation for this blasphemy.

Can we say today that the DPs were totally innocent in this impasse, personally I say no,  the DPs in their political agenda had very little place for Ssabassajja and Buganda Kingdom (Recall Ssebana Kizitos DP) statement just after the riots of last September  “If Museveni does n’t like kingdoms he should abolish them.” I want to remind Ssebana Kizito, that Buganda Kingdom is not only cultural institution as M7 dreams. [Buganda] is the full identity of Baganda people to which [Ssebana] belongs.  Ssabasajja Kabaka is not only a man so as you and me or the rest, but he is the living symbol of our identity and our ancestors. Awangale Ssabassajja!  Telling M7 to abolish the kingdoms if he does not like them, Mr. Ssebana (DP) exaggerated the powers of that dictator because we were Baganda before M7 came, we are Baganda, and we shall remain Buganda with or without M7.

One thing is clear. Kabaka Yekka officials of the 60s never realized that dumping their fellow Baganda and choosing Langis would cause the greatest disaster to the Buganda Nation, which up to the present day has never been fixed.  Can one tell us how many Baganda have been murdered because of this blunder?!

Should the young generation Baganda make the same mistakes as the old guard of Mengo 50 years ago?  Unacceptable! We should learn from the past mistakes to design our present and future. Kikafuwe nti our children and grand children are going to live in this Katogo, they will [curse] us as we are [cursing] the Mengo officials of the old.

We [the] young Buganda must know very well that Kabaka Yekka  old garde of the 60’s and Mengo institution were from top to bottom brainwashed and manipulated by the British people.  Knowingly or unknowingly they embraced the prejudice of the British peoples against the Catholics and other religions, given at the time that Mengo was predominantly Protestant. After the elections of 60s the Mengo old guard chose their fellow predominant protestants UPC to form any alliance dumping their fellow Baganda of the Democratic Party.   What is surprising here, Protestants and Catholics of the same clans during their respective cultural functions like Kwabya Nyimbe a protestant or a Catholic would be the Musika or Musumisi as long as one belonged to the clan and it was acceptable.  Why not in politics?

Did Mengo officials see beyond religion and religious bounds, were they aware that they were executing their colonial masters’ prejudices against other religious persuasions?  Did Mengo KY recognize that they were not the authors of this prejudice, did they realize that in Northern Ireland the same British people were oppressing the Catholics handling as second-class citizens.

Why didn’t Mengo Officials put Buganda first?  As [a] Muganda youth  I want  to remind the old guard of Mengo [that]  when Obote started killing Baganda with his slogan “A good Muganda is A dead one”  he did not [differentiate] between  a protestant and a Catholic. [When] Idi Amin started killing Baganda he  did not  filter who was  a protestant or a catholic. [And] Museveni has murdered [masses of] Baganda with his instrument ‘LET THEM TALK ….  KILL THEM IN SILENCE  (Recall M7’s speech in Kigali University) or his famous order SHOOT TO KILL.  This dictator has never selected which religion a Muganda belongs to, he kills whenever he wishes whoever Muganda he comes across.

The Baganda are killed as Baganda and because we are Baganda.

We the young generation [of] Baganda must not make any mistake now,  the British colonialist have gone who manipulated and brainwashed the Baganda old guard, now we have other manipulators namely:  Some fellow Baganda the collaborators of the occupiers or our homeland, the Rwandese and others and, most important, political parties.

We the young Baganda today must not make any mistake like the Old Baganda of the 60s

“We must put Buganda First”. Forget all those political parties coming up in all colours,  they replace the British peoples of the 60s, they will never help you as a person.  “Put Buganda first”.  It is the only solutions that will ever change our lives and stop the cold murders our people are confronted with everyday in our own motherland.

Mbakubira omulanga  mwena abavubuka Abaganda toyonona kalulu ko mbu olonda gundi wa Kibina gundi, tulina okukola ekitole nga abaganda  nga tulonda omuntu omu analwanirira Buganda era n’ababaka  betwekakasa nti bagenda kulwanirira Buganda wattu.

The foreigners have killed our dear ones, they have raped our children, and they have stolen our land and so forth… Ggwe Omuvubuka omuganda bwoyagala okufuuka ndiwulira [nga] batema mu kasooli olyesanga mu ntamu nga batokosa.  Kunno kwekulabula okusembayo eri mwe abavubuka abaganda.

Abavubukka mweddize obuyinza bwa Buganda bwemuba nga ebigendererwa byamwe bilongofu eri Ssabasajja Kabaka ne nyaffe Buganda.  Bwetutakola tutyo twelinde okuyiwa omusayi ate nno tewerimba nti banno banamawanga  bagenda kutta bakadde.  Nendda, bagenda kutta ffe Abavubuka. Tewelimba nti bagenda kutta Acholis oba Bakiga oba Batoro oba Banyoro, Balango etc…, awo  welimba.  Abavubuka, Baganda ffe tuli ku waiting list.

If you put your stomach first because of some few coins you get from NRM, to promote NRM’s anti-Buganda agenda in [the]Buganda nation, they are using you like toilet paper. [When] they don’t need you anymore,  you will not escape them, if you do, your children will not escape them.  Ask Professor Gilbert Bukenya who now calls himself the Vice president of that country Uganda. If he is honest to himself and to you, he will tell you that money is not all what you need to be happy in life!

We the young generation Baganda today are suffering now [because of]  the mistakes made in the past.   You the Mengo officials must know very well that we are not going to follow your path.  Never make any mistake to sign any agreement with that country Uganda without prior consultations with the youth of our nation Buganda.  [Realize that] it is the Baganda youth of today who are being murdered or sleeping with empty stomachs due the decisions you made in the 60‘s [and other times in the past].

The institutions of our nation Buganda have always carried value and recognitions by the Baganda, young and old, and we believe in them. There is no Muganda who has ever been forced to respect the [Kabaka] and Buganda institutions at gunpoint, as what is happening in their country Uganda. Forget all about the integration with other tribes now because the terms of integration are not well defined  and that explains the Katogo we are navigating today.

The way forward:

We need a Buganda Block! It is only Buganda Block, which will promote our interest now. “Work with and for a Buganda nation ”.  Give your time and energy to liberate our motherland  Buganda nation so that we Baganda of today and our children can lead a dignified life, have and enjoy a feeling of security in our homelands.  Don’t forget we shall never have another life in another homeland. Buganda is our homeland our [ancestors] have fought and sacrificed their lives so that we the Baganda of today and those to come have a place to live.  Likewise, we are obliged to do the same for our children and grandchildren to come after us.

Baganda youth, resist any manipulations of any kind.  M7 calling Ssabasajja his colleague all along from London, and during the war was meant to manipulate the ordinary Baganda.  M7 has lost ground in Buganda, he knows very well that his days in Buganda are numbered. [However he remains a dangerous manipulator]. [Being  an opportunist],  he only invited Ssabasajja  together with the Bataka to meet and discuss the current crisis. Dear the Baganda Youth, are you so simple to believe this cynical invitation?  M7 knows that by appearing on a photo with Ssabasajja Kabaka and [the] Abataka of Buganda he will have the [evidence] to launch his propaganda [of] a cooperative and collaborative Buganda in the NRM occupation agenda for our Buganda Nation.

M7 needed [Kabaka and the Bataka only for] that one second [when] photographer pressed the Camera button, with  M7  standing near Ssabasajja Kabaka, [surrounded by] the  Bataka . That photograph is only enough for a dictator to show to the rest of the world and ordinary Baganda that all problems are resolved and the situation is normal.  We cannot permit our Nation Buganda to become  a new Palestine. They come wherever they come from to fight their wars in Buganda and who dies? The Baganda!

Baganda Youth never and never accept to devalue our mother Nation Buganda, and you should make it clear to your respective Batakas that our support and recognition of Buganda institutions has to depend on their conduct and loyalty to Buganda Nation.

Source of skepticism

As a young, concerned, devoted Muganda activist, I have profound reasons to fear decisions of Mengo officials and I urgue all the Baganda youth to be very critical and watchful of  all the movements taking place at Mengo.  Mengo officials are [supposed] not to serve two nations but one and that is Buganda Nation.

Some months ago I could not believe my eyes when I [heard about] Akena the son of Obote entering Bulange and the Lukkiko giving him a profound applause.  Bearing in mind that in politics you have not to hold permanent enmity,  your enemy today is tomorrow your coalition partner, however applauding for a son of a man who has humiliated and devasted our identity as Baganda this was a dose to much to stomach.  Is this due to desperation of Mengo Lukiiko, opportunism, or short memories of Baganda?  Did Akena come to apologize to the Baganda due the humiliation and murders the Bagandas have suffered committed by Langis? Did he denounce his late father’s dictatorship and murders committed on our Land?

[At about the same time] Omara Atubo (Minister of Lands in their Country Uganda), [another] Langi, declared his triumph [over] the land bill, [which land bill ensures that] ensures that the Kabaka of Buganda is no longer the [Ssabataka] of Buganda Those of you who [better know the] history of our Buganda Nation and their country Uganda, do you have [any evidence] that in the past our ancestors attacked Langis, humiliated them, graded their land, raped their women as what they have done to Buganda?

If I was in Bulange that day when Akena came to Bulange I could not see myself applauding for this man.  I would have reacted differently to express my opinion over Langis. Not necessarily violent but at least a moment of silence as a symbol of respect of the murdered Baganda and the physical, psychological, moral damage we have suffered from these people.

I have to remind the Mengo Officials that going to statehouse of that country Uganda is an act that absolutely not appreciated by Baganda now because you are not going to talk to leaders of our neighbors the Ugandans instead you are going to talk to thugs and murders of our children and rappers of your daughters.

Message to foreigners in Buganda

When we the Baganda activists demand secession of Buganda Kingdom from the country Uganda, how do they react? [They say], “That is Baganda arrogance, they don’t know what they [want], they consider themselves a superior race? [They claim] superior economic wealth and superior  political traditions and so forth!”  It is a real dilemma you and me will never solve, the Baganda people who are so arrogant, bossy with a superiority complex over other tribes yet they can’t miss us. I think if these [accusations they make] over Baganda [were] true and valid in their minds, then the day we demand our independency they would all go party to celebrate the departure of the arrogant, bossy Baganda.  Instead, the more mentally dependent they become on us as if their further life is totally impossible without Buganda. This shows you how far different our understandings and backgrounds are. The general and simple concepts are interpreted differently [and] this means to me even if the western countries transfer half their wealth tomorrow and pump it in Uganda and the occupied Buganda we shall remain poor, even [get] poorer.

The citizens of Uganda make their heads sick [over] the position of Ssabassajja Kabaka of Buganda. Well, to the contrary,  no Muganda is busy [opposing] the way Basoga or Batoro or Acholis or Banyoro govern themselves.  If you decide to come and settle in Buganda you are going to settle here on our terms, not the opposite.   Failure to do so, you will vacate no doubt about that.  If Baganda happen to come to your homelands and tell you how you have to govern yourself, make them vacate your homelands.  We have accommodated everyone in Buganda, you have all what you have on our land yet we are the arrogant bastards? Fine! Think what you think, do what you do, we are not going to live on your terms in our home lands. “This to the last Muganda”.   You are very soon facing the hard truth.  We are working around the clock to liberate our Nation Buganda from captivity.

Last Appeal to all Baganda youth

To all the Baganda youth, it is our time today and not any other time. We have to realize and make everyone know that Buganda self-rule is our future, our security and our development.

You should all know that our greatest realization in this coming decade will be SELF RULE of our Buganda Nation.   Everyone has to play his or her role according to one’s capacity. If we have to change our lives, we have to be very vigilant, and critical to resist all kinds of manipulations. Put Buganda first! Form ekitole kya  Buganda, with the guidance of the wisdom of the past you are the future of Buganda.  Make Buganda shine again!!! We have profound trust in you our youth!!

Tesian Batenda

According to the  July 8, 2010 issue of NRM government mouthpiece, the New Vision newspaper, Buganda minister of information, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has disowned popular Buganda Hussein Kyanjo’s statements that, if  Museveni’s government fails to adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law, the people of Buganda would take up arms. The New Vision further says that Owek. Mayiga dismissed Kyanjo’s the remarks as his (Kyanjo’s) personal opinion. Mayiga is quoted as saying:“Kyanjo is not the spokesperson of the Buganda kingdom. He is not a Mmengo official. Those remarks he made were his personal opinion.” However, there is no indication that Mayiga explained his claim that Mmengo officials represent the kingdom of Buganda.

Museveni’s New Vision says that Owek. Mayiga explained Mmengo’s disagreement with Kyanjo by saying: “Our strongest weapon is dissemination of information regarding our legitimate cause. If voters are informed, they don’t need to pick up arms to get what they want because our Constitution says power belongs to people.”

When Buganda Post contacted a prominent lawyer and Buganda analyst based in the United Kingdom, he responded that both Mayiga and Kyanjo refer to the Museveni’s constitution appropriately but if Mayiga is quoted correctly then he is being dishonest. The analyst also questioned Mayiga’s alleged claim that only Mmengo speaks for Buganda. The analyst explained: “Mayiga focuses on Article 1 of Museveni’s constitution, which says ‘power belongs to the people’. Mayiga, Makubuya and ordinary Baganda know that by bribing MPs to change presidential term limits, invading Congo without consulting parliament, ignoring the popular call for Federo, stealing elections and committing similar illegal acts, Museveni and the NRM usurped the people’s power and broke the constitution.

“Unlike Mayiga, Kyanjo is reading both Article 1 and Article 3 of Museveni’s constitution. And Article 3 says that ‘(4) All citizens of Uganda have a right and duty to protect the Constitution.’ and ‘(5) Any person who defends and protects the Constitution commits no offence…’ without limiting the means of defending the constitution. Mayiga and Makubuya know that Kyanjo’s position is 100% correct and legal under Article 3. It appears that  they have been compromised either by personal interests and mere cowardice.”

On the matter of who speaks for Buganda, our analyst first clarifies that, for centuries, Baganda believe that power in Buganda is vested in the institution of Kabaka, since, as Ssabataka who is not tied to one clan, he can lead and guide all Bataka and their grandchildren (Baganda) wisely and fairly. That is why the Kabaka consults and weighs everything very carefully before he speaks and why Baganda do not criticize him publicly. The top Mmengo official is the Katikkiro of Buganda, who is appointed by the Kabaka, after wide consultation with clan leaders, religious leaders and many other Baganda. All Mmengo officials are deemed to have been appointed by Kabaka and to speak for Buganda but, in reality, they are screened and selected by the Katikkiro and other Mmengo officials before presentation to the Kabaka.

He then said: “If you compare the strong statements and decisions that Kabaka Mutebi has made over Federo, Buganda land, the attempted firing of Nambooze from CBS and freedom and justice for Baganda and those made by Walusimbi and Mayiga you can see that the Katikkiro and his friend are outright disobeying the Kabaka. Don’t forget that that it was Mayiga, John Katende, Apollo Makubuya and Katikkiro Ssemwogerere who lied to Kabaka and Buganda that Museveni’s Regional Tier was good for Buganda in 2006. If Mmengo speaks for Buganda, why did the Buganda Lukiiko soundly reject Regional Tier on February 7, 2006?

“Baganda are not stupid. They can see when Mmengo is no longer serving the Kabaka or his subjects’ interests. If that is the case, then how can Mmengo claim to be to only spokesmen for the Kingdom? Mmengo is not even recognized in Museveni’s constitution, which Mayiga constantly quotes!  I disagree. I think that by siding with and appeasing the occupation NRM government so frequently, Mmengo has lost the minds and hearts of Baganda. Ordinary Baganda, who are 80% youths, are more interested in what Nambooze or Kyanjo or Nsambu or Ssemujju says than what Walusimbi or Mayiga announces. In reality, Nambooze, Kyanjo,  Nsubuga Nsambu and Ssemujju speak more for Buganda than the compromised Mmengo leaders. That is why Kabaka Mutebi has found himself having to speak out, to cancel the misinformation by Walusimbi and Mayiga. The bottom line is, every Muganda now has a duty to fight for Buganda’s freedom from the current armed occupation.”

On January 6, 2010 Ekiba Kibe program, which is broadcast to cellular telephones via multi-media message service (MMS), has accused Mmengo of incompetence and appealed to Baganda to realize that they do not need to rely on Mmengo to fight for Buganda’s rights and freedom (see “Mmengo Is Unqualified To Fight For Buganda, Diaspora MMS Radio Says“.)

A few months ago, Buganda Post was the victim of unknown electronic hooligans, who hacked and corrupted our databases (see  “Buganda Post Hacked By Unknown Hooligans” and “NRM Might Be Behind The Attacks On Baganda Web News Outlets“). Although many of our sources, including you our loyal readers, suggested that it was the work of the NRM occupation government , we still do not know who did it.

We Baganda have a saying: “Akugoba, y’akuwa ekkubo” (“He who chases you (from where you are comfortable), is the one who shows  you the way (to a better place)”. In that spirit, after painfully repairing parts of the Buganda Post website, we decided to redesign it and make and even better platform for Buganda national information to flow.

Over the next couple of months, we shall launch a redesigned Buganda Post, which is more professionally laid out and with better opportunities for Buganda citizens and others interested in the kingdom to exchange information and ideas.  We are doing our best to make sure that the familiar, simple look and color scheme of Buganda Post , even as we add more features. For example, we have already put Buganda Post on Twitter and soon it will be on facebook.  Another example is that Buganda Post will include a few blogs, where some of our readers will be able to freely express their opinions on issues that are important to Buganda. If you are interested in having your own blog on Buganda Post, please contact me at pnakato@bugandapost.com – only 2-4 blogs will initially be included.

We thank our readers who stayed with us even when some of the browsers would not work with Buganda Post because of the malware that hackers had put in the our website. Special thanks to our original sponsors and those of you who donated the funds that have allowed us to build a better website.

Check out Buganda Post on Twitter (search for bugandapost or Bu Post). Expect Buganda Post on facebook soon. And expect an enhanced website soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ssabasajja Kabaka Awangaale!

Patricia Nakato

The New Year message that Ugandan strongman, Yoweri Musevni sent to the people he rules with an iron fist was a solid 21 pages long, taking more than one hour to read.  Most analysts are not surprised that the speech says little about the seismic civil upheavals and near collapse of the NRM government in September 2009. As our New York based analyst put it: “2009 will go down as the year when Museveni did not know what to do about Buganda. By the same token, it is the year when Kabaka Mutebi sent a clear signal to his subjects that Buganda’s rights are not negotiable. Based on the way Baganda nationalists all over the world are responding to Kabaka Mutebi’s signals, 2010 may very well be the year when the Buganda Independence Movement finally kicks off, thanks to Katikkiro Walusimbi’s incompetence and treasonous conduct. ”

Below we reproduce Museveni’s  voluminous 21-page speech:

New Year 2010

Address to the Nation

By

H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

President of the Republic of Uganda

31^st December 2009

Countrymen,

I congratulate you all upon the completion of the year 2009.  There have been a lot of developments and achievements at individual and corporate levels; and there have been losses. I wish to commiserate with all those who have had problems of one kind or another in the course of the year.

May I please take this moment to, in particular, express most heartfelt condolences to all the people who lost their loved ones during the past year.  May God rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace.

Government continues to be guided by the national vision, towards achieving a Modern, Industrialized and Knowledge- based Society with strategies for transforming this country from an underdeveloped to a developed nation status.  The year 2009 may be designated as transitional period during which we have examined what we have attained under the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) for the last ten years.

As we refocus and re-engineer the economy to attain faster socio-economic growth, we have formulated a five-year National Development Plan that intertwines strategies that will ensure both accelerated economic growth and sustained poverty reduction.  The thrust is to consolidate the achievements we have made and move forward in a planned quasi-market economy approach. This will entail strengthening public-private partnerships in all development aspects of the economy. The government expenditure will also increase from Shs 7.9 trillion in 2010/11 to Shs 13.9 trillion in 2014/15, targeting investments in key areas of infrastructure (roads, railway, hydropower dams and oil refinery), education, health, Agriculture and Tourism.

At an appropriate time, I will brief the Nation on the detailed strategies to be undertaken to unlock the identified national binding constraints to enable us to attain faster socio-economic transformation, accelerated private sector growth and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

However to highlight, a few, we have identified key flagship projects to provide impulse to unlocking the binding constraints within the economy. These include:

(i)           National Skills Programme;

(ii)          Constructing the standard rail gauge;

(iii)        Rehabilitating the existing railway lines;

(iv)        Development of Greater Metropolitan Kampala and implementing the rapid transport system;

(v)          Improve water transport on Lake Victoria;

(vi)        Construction of three Hydro-electric power stations (HEPs) namely Karuma, Ayago and Isimba;

(vii)       Development of oil and gas refinery;

(viii)     Construction of Oil and gas pipeline;

(ix)        Development of ICT business parks;

(x)          Construction and development of 4 regional incubation centres;

(xi)        Construction and development of five large scale irrigation schemes;

(xii)      Construction and development of phosphate industry in Tororo;

(xiii)     Development and Production of Iron Ore ingots for steel industry; and

(xiv)     Supporting science innovation in the Universities and Research Institutions.

We shall continue our firm stance of reducing poverty to 24.5%, a target that is better than the Millennium Development Goal of 28.1%.  The nominal per capita income will increase from US$506 to US$900 by 2014/2015 while our wealth creation thrust will ensure a generation of more than 2,700,000 jobs.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY

Economic Growth

The Ugandan economy has continued to grow at a relatively high rate despite fears that the economic chaos in the advanced economies of the world would negatively affect the economy. Preliminary data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the economy grew by 6.6% during calendar year 2009, increasing from 28.2 Trillion Uganda Shillings in 2008 to 33.0 Trillion Shillings in 2009. This is equivalent to US$ 16.2 billion.  Although this estimated growth rate in 2009 is lower than the growth in 2008 of 9.2%, it was among the fastest in the world during the period of global economic downturn. Uganda’s economic growth would have been even much higher if it had not been for the global economic recession that affected the demand for our exports to Europe and America; and if it was not for the shortage of electricity and bottlenecks in the transport sector, which we are working on.

An economy of US$16.2 billion is, of course, still very small by World standards.  However, it is important to note that only some years back, in our time in Government, only the economy of Kenya had a GDP of US$ 12 billion.  About the same time, the economy of Nigeria was about US$ 20 billion.  Therefore, those of us who had the duty to lift Uganda from the pit into which it had fallen have nothing but happiness to see this growth.  With increased electricity supply and better transport network, the economy is going to gallop.  Value-addition to most of our raw materials will cause this economy to increase by a factor of ten in the next few years.  Here, I am not including the factor of oil.  When one does that, you can be sure that this economy will gallop.

Recently, the IMF noted the following regarding our economy: “Prudent economic management and strong fundamentals have enabled Uganda to weather the global crisis relatively well. Despite a slowdown in economic activity, growth remains strong by regional and international standards. Core inflation has declined in spite of an increase in headline inflation driven by higher food prices. The external current account has performed better than expected, buoyed by strong cross-border exports, and international reserves remain adequate. Uganda’s flexible exchange rate regime has facilitated adjustment to external shocks. The financial sector has been largely spared by the crisis and remains sound.”[1]

Although the decline in the construction sub-sector undermined the overall growth of industry as a whole, manufacturing is estimated to have registered a growth of 10.6% during 2009, compared to 6.9% in 2008 and 7.6% in 2007. Construction was affected by the high increases in the cost of building materials earlier in the year. The increased cost of building materials was partly the result of a decline in cement production early in the calendar year. However, cement production increased in the months of August and September 2009.

This was complemented with a substantial increase in the importation of cement in the 3^rd quarter of 2009, from 110,000 tonnes in the quarter ending June 2009 to 197,000 tonnes in September 2009.  The prices of building materials including cement and steel have now stabilized and we should see a resumption of growth in the sub-sector.

Preliminary data also shows that other sub-sectors in industry, apart from the Mining and Quarrying sub-sectors, performed reasonably well with food processing recording an annual growth of 17% in the quarter ending September 2009; in addition to strong growth of 36% and 23% in the first and second quarters of 2009 respectively. The textiles, clothing and footwear category of industrial production also recovered with a growth of about 100% in the quarter ending September 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, on top of a 25% annual growth in the quarter ending June 2009.

Growth in the agricultural sector has also rebounded steadily and is estimated to have grown by 3.4% during 2009 compared to annual growth rates of 2.3% in 2008 and only 1.7% in 2007. This recovery in the agricultural sector is attributed to high performance in the cash crops sub-sector, which is estimated at 12.1% in 2009, in addition to an equally high growth of 11.6% in the previous calendar year. The increased cash crop production is partly due to the Government efforts to make available improved high-yielding agricultural inputs through NARO and NAADS. Farmers are now able to purchase high-quality seeds that have been produced in partnership with commercial farmers; and have in fact now outstripped the available improved seed supply capacity.

Fish production continued to decline in 2009, mainly, as a result of action Government had to undertake to replenish fish stocks which had been depleted by poor fishing practices and inadequate regulation. This has also affected fish exports particularly to the regional markets.

The service sector continued to sustain high growth rates and is estimated to have grown by 8.2% during calendar year 2009. Transport and communications grew by 11.1%, while financial services and real estate are estimated to have grown by 34.7% and 5.7% respectively, in the same period. As a consequence of the high growth in services, the Service sector now contributes about 50.4% to total GDP. The sustained high growth of the Service sector and manufacturing is an indication that economic transformation for employment creation and, therefore, poverty reduction, is progressively taking place.

Since the economy suffered the worst power crisis about five years ago, Government interventions in the energy sector, including provision of subsidized power from thermal sources and the commissioning of power in the small renewable energy plants have yielded significant benefits for the economy.

Currently, power outages are much less frequent than they used to be five years ago. Consequently, the electricity supply is estimated to have grown by 10.9% during 2009 compared to only 1.7% in 2008 and a contraction of -13.8% in calendar year 2006.

Developments in the External Sector

The clearest indication of the resilience of our economy to the global economic recession that devastated large economies of the world is reflected in the developments in the Uganda external sector. Total exports for the 12 months ending October 2009 were equivalent to US$ 3.413 billion compared to US$ 2.80 billion in the same period a year before. This represents an increase of 21.9% in total export receipts during the period. Informal cross-border exports increased by 73%, largely driven by the export of industrial products to Southern Sudan and DRC, which increased by 80.4% compared to the year before.

In nominal terms, Informal Cross-Border Trade was equivalent to US$ 1.696 billion compared to US$ 940 million in the year before. Formal exports mainly to Europe and America recovered slightly in 2009, reflecting a recovery in the global economy. As a result of the increased exports, driven largely by Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT), the overall trade deficit was narrower than what was recorded in the same period in 2007 and 2008.

In addition, workers’ remittances have rebounded strongly in the months July to September 2009, averaging about US$ 72 million per month on average compared to about US$39 million per month on average between January and June 2009. Similarly, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has also fully recovered to an average of US$84 million per month in the quarter ending September 2009 compared to a low average of US$ 53million per month in the period October to December 2008.

The total foreign exchange inflows for 2009, excluding FDI, are US$ 4,818.18 million (export of goods US$ 3413 million, export of services US$ 693.65 million; and Remittances US$ 711.44 million).

At the peak of the global financial crisis that also temporarily affected our capital markets, there was short-term capital flight of US$190 million in October 2008. However, due to the strength of the economy, the trend has reversed with the quarter ending September 2009 registering a steady positive growth. A combination of the improvement in exports, remittances, Foreign Direct Investments and short term capital inflows resulted in a substantial increase in foreign reserves. By October 2009, total foreign reserves amounted to US$ 2.8 billion, equivalent to 5.6 months of imports of goods and services, compared to United States Dollars 2.35 billion recorded in October 2008. These trends are a manifestation that the Uganda economy has passed the worst effects of the global economic down turn and it is poised to sustain its high growth trend in the medium term.

As a result of the increased foreign exchange inflows through increased exports, remittances, Foreign Direct Investment and a return of short term foreign capital, the Uganda shilling has regained its strength it had lost towards the end of 2008 and first half of 2009. From an exchange rate of about Uganda Shillings 2,200 to the United States Dollar at its weakest in the early months of 2009, the exchange rate in November averaged Uganda Shillings 1,874 in November 2009. The resilience of the Uganda shilling is a manifestation of the strength of our economy, good economic management as well as the positive economic outlook that investors have of the economy.

Inflation and Interest Rates

Inflation, which is a measure of the changes in the general price level of goods and services, dropped to 12.0% in November 2009, compared to the annual inflation rate of 14.7% in November 2008.

The underlying or “core” inflation, which excludes food crops, fuel, electricity and water – because these are prone to volatile price fluctuations – also dropped to 8.8% by end November 2009.  Inflation rates fell further in December 2009, to 10.9% and underlying inflation to 7.4%.

Food prices which were the main factor keeping overall inflation at double-digit levels increased by 35.5% on an annual basis by November 2009. However, this was lower than an increase of nearly 50% in the September 2009. While food inflation is still too high, it underlies the urgency in ensuring that the measures to increase agricultural production are implemented quickly and effectively. The food items which recorded significant reductions in prices during November include: fresh vegetables, beans, chicken, fish and milk, due to their increased supply to the market.

Domestic Revenue Collection

Domestic revenue collections by the URA were 97%, relative to the target for the five months from July to November 2009. This amounted to a shortfall of about Ushs 51 billion over the same period. The tax revenue shortfall was primarily on account of slightly lower imports than was estimated for the period. In the long term, and in the context of the East African Customs Union, emphasis on domestic revenue collection will be given to strengthening domestic production especially industry and services so that the economy’s reliance on international trade taxes is reduced. This strategy will also reduce the vulnerability of our revenues to external shocks. Hence, the long-term solution to ensuring predictability of domestic revenue is to improve the productivity of our economy to increase the tax base. In this regard, efforts to further improve the business climate in order to attract more investors through the delivery of quality public services will remain a key priority of Government.

DEVELOPMENTS IN SELECTED PRIORITY AREAS

As I have said previously, the National Resistance Movement Government has made tremendous achievements in restoring peace and improving the delivery of public services towards the development of Uganda. This has created a firm foundation on which we can now develop Uganda into a modern state as compared to the dismal basket case it was for the years during misrule and poor management imposed by bad governments.

The following are the achievements that the NRM Government has made in the delivery of public services, as well as the programmes for the near future:-

A: Infrastructure Development:-

Transportation Infrastructure

With respect to road infrastructure, the NRM Government will continue to upgrade and maintain the national road network to ensure that the entire road network is permanently motorable.

Roads where upgrading to tarmac will start by June in 2010 include:

• Vurra-Arua-Oraba;
• Nyakahita-Ibanda-Kamwengye;
• Atiak-Moyo-Atoji; and
• Gulu – Atiak–Bibia-Nimule routes.

Work will also commence in the later part of the 2010 on upgrading to tarmac the following roads among others:-

• Mukono-Katosi-Nyenga;
• Mpigi-Maddu-Sembabule;
• Kapchorwa –Suam; and
• Fort-Portal Bundibugyo-Lamia.

The rehabilitation of the following roads will begin by June 2010:

• Tororo-Mbale-Soroti;
• Jinja-Kamuli; and
• Kafu-Karuma-Kamudini.

Progress with tarmacking the following roads will also continue:-

• Soroti-Dokolo-Lira;
• Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe;
• Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara; and
• Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana.

The other roads not mentioned here are as per my previous addresses to the Nation.

Concerning the maintenance of the road network, Government has over the years been allocating substantial resources towards both nationally and local government management roads. A total of U Shs. 268 billion has been allocated this year alone, of which U Shs. 110 billion is for local government road maintenance. This is a Shs. 39 billion  increase from U Shs. 61 billion that was allocated for this purpose in the Financial Year 2008/09.

Local governments, therefore, have no excuse for not carrying out maintenance works on roads in their localities. District Chairmen and Chief Administrative Officers must, therefore, be held accountable to the people for the use of these funds. All stakeholders including Members of Parliament and Councilors must demand for better roads within their localities.  I discourage the use of contractors on these roads except where prices are fixed.  You should use your machines to work on the roads.

In addition to the Road Fund that will become operational in January 2010, the NRM Government will commence the re-equipment of all district city and municipal road units to provide the necessary minimal capacity to repair roads without suffering delays caused by the need to contract the private sector. I recognize that while private road contractors have been important in the construction of roads, in-house capacity at districts, cities and municipalities to carry out basic road maintenance must be enhanced.

This is the reason why Government has recently provided the Kampala City Council with road maintenance and construction equipment to ensure that the City roads are well-maintained and upgraded. Larger contracts for re-construction and upgrading can then be contracted out to the private sector.

Energy Infrastructure

In order to support industrialization and prevent environmental damage through encouraging use of electricity, Government has restored  dilapidated hydro-electricity generation plants as well as increased the electricity generation capacity in the country. Ugandans need to remember that the NRM Government decisively dealt with the electricity crisis that befell the entire East African region in 2006 following severe drought. While there was an increase in the tariff paid by consumers, electricity was available and still cheaper than having electricity that is privately own-generated.

The provision of a Government subsidy ensured that the full cost of the increase was not borne by the consumer and that the increase in production costs was not as high as would have been the case had Government left manufacturers to continue generating their own power. Consequently, production costs have remained manageable while Government has taken deliberate actions to ensure cheaper power is available starting with July 2011 with the commissioning of the 250 Megawatt Bujagali Hydropower Plant. In addition, mini-hydropower plants constructed by private developers at Mpanga, Buseruka and Ishasha will contribute an additional 35 Megawatts to the national grid next Financial Year. Government will also be commissioning the construction of at least an additional 1,650 Megawatts of energy generation capacity at Karuma, Isimba and Ayago and other hydropower sites.  The lack of sufficient and affordable power supply that enables competitive processing and rural electrification is, therefore, being dealt with.

Oil Resource Development and Management

Uganda’s oil reserves are now estimated at about 2 billion barrels, largely in Albertine Graben in the Western part of the country; and plans are underway for the commencement of commercial production. The Government put in place an Oil and Gas Policy to guide the development and prudent utilization of oil resources.  To ensure that all Ugandans benefit from this important and strategic resource, the Government is putting in place the necessary legal and institutional frameworks. In this regard, two separate laws are envisaged: one on administration of oil and gas activities, including the development and production of the oil and gas value chain; and the second law will focus on regulating payments, use and management of oil revenues in a manner that creates sustainable national wealth. The key element in these legislations will be to ensure transparency and accountability in the production and utilization of oil resources.

In order to attract the huge investment resources required as well as the expertise, it is a Government policy that the actual development of oil resources, including oil production, will be through the private sector, including international companies. Where necessary, Government will partner with some of these companies in a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. Plans to build a medium size oil refinery aimed at meeting domestic and regional petroleum demand are also underway. This will help to add value and create jobs. The refining of oil domestically will help to develop the value addition chain as well as improve the energy mix of the country.

The development of oil resources will go hand in hand with the continued efforts to develop other sectors of the economy – that is, the diversification of the economy will continue to be among the top priorities of Government in spite of the oil wealth. The Government recognizes the critical importance of managing oil resources well, to avoid the mistakes many others countries have faced.

Hence, Government will ensure that these resources are managed in a manner that facilitates sustainable development and avoids distortions, such as a sharply appreciated exchange rate, which would destroy other sectors of the economy by making them uncompetitive in terms of export. In other words, oil and gas resources will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the macroeconomic framework of the country.

Since oil is a finite resource, oil revenues will be used to develop durable and competitive competencies that will increase productivity in key sectors of the economy. Thus, oil revenues will be invested in key non-oil sectors for productivity enhancement. The key priority sectors for development using oil revenues are as follows:-

1. energy infrastructure including enhancing electricity generation, and transmission capacity and rural electrification;
2. rail transport and major road infrastructure;
3. small, medium and large irrigation schemes to ensure availability of water for agricultural production;
4. Science and Technology including enhancing technical and vocational education to avail requisite skills for a modern economy.

This means that oil revenues will be ring-fenced to ensure value for money and used mainly for the above-mentioned key priorities countrywide. Oil revenues, therefore, shall not be used for consumption but for durable investments that will benefit future generations. Oil and gas activities will provide opportunities for both forward and backward linkages in the country’s quest for industrialization. Having achieved significant progress in the areas of oil exploration, Government is now going to concertedly focus on Oil Management issues.  I am, therefore, directing the Minister of Finance to lead the coordination of oil management issues forthwith in consultation with the Minister of Energy and the Governor of the Bank of Uganda.

B: Agriculture and Value Addition

In Agriculture, the NRM Government will continue to ensure that there is increased production and enhance the capacity to add value to agricultural produce. To achieve these objectives, Government will undertake the following:

First, in order to increase production, the NAADS programme will continue to be implemented to ensure that all farmers receive the necessary extension advice on what to produce using tested practices, together with improved planting materials and breeding stock. As a result of households realizing the income potential in the Agriculture Sector, there has been an increase in the demand for improved planting materials and breeding stock materials that far outstrips its supply. I am, therefore, directing the Ministers in charge of Agriculture and Finance to address this matter urgently to ensure that there is increased supply of improved planting materials and breeding stock available to farmers.

Furthermore, in the next Financial Year 2010/11, Government will also prioritize the provision of reliable availability of water for production throughout the country by commencing the implementation of small, medium and large scale irrigation schemes. There is no doubt that Uganda abounds with agricultural potential that can be enhanced once the vagaries of the weather are controlled. Therefore, water dam storage and irrigation schemes will be implemented to ensure that there is increased production, without relying solely on the increasingly unpredictable weather. Given that farm holdings by households in Uganda are on average only two acres, Government will also place emphasis on development of small irrigation technology that can be used on individual small farm holdings, while also constructing dams for larger storage and irrigation schemes. I am, accordingly, directing the Right Honourable Prime Minister and the Ministers in charge of Agriculture and Water Development and Finance to coordinate implementation of this intervention beginning next Financial Year.

The second action pertains to adding of value to agricultural produce. Owing to the almost non-existent addition of value to produce, there is a lot of wastage and, consequently, lower levels of incomes are earned by farmers. With the increasing availability of electricity, there is greater potential for increased value addition to be carried out even at the farm level. As a start, in this Financial Year 2009/10, Government will provide support to food science and technology graduates from Makerere University who have acquired both the technical know-how and entrepreneurial skills at adding value to agricultural produce. My interaction with our own Ugandan innovative scientists has shown that it is possible to add value to a whole range of products including fruit, milk and meat products.

In order to further develop and realize the technical potential of graduates from the Makerere University Food Science and Technology Department, the Minister of Finance will shortly operationalize an Industrial Venture Capital Fund for these graduates to access start-up capital for agro-processing ventures, at interest rates of no more than 5 percent for a maximum repayment period of eight years. Other existing small-scale entrepreneurs who have proved that they are capable of adding value will also be provided with technical skills by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute beginning this Financial Year 2009/10. In addition, a Small and Medium Enterprise Fund with similar terms to the Industrial Venture Capital Fund will be operationalized by the Minister of Finance. These Funds will be managed by willing financial institutions through the Bank of Uganda, as has already been done with the Agriculture Credit Facility that is already in place for commercial farmers and agro-processors.

These measures will propel the agriculture sector to allow increased reliable production through the availability of resources within the control of farmers; and also enable them to receive reasonable incomes from increased agro-processing ventures from both existing and established ventures that will be supported through the actions I have mentioned.

C: Employment Generation

The above actions by Government mark an important milestone towards the generation of jobs in areas that have not traditionally contributed to employment. Creating technical capacity for entrepreneurs to go into business or enhancing their business productivity, allows them to generate employment for those other Ugandans who do not have access to the technical know-how required to run processing industries. Many of the youth who have left primary and secondary school and have not had the chance to proceed with further education will eventually have an opportunity to be employed. Those that have the potential to become entrepreneurs in their own right will also be encouraged and provided the opportunity to seek the technical know-how at institutions such as the Department of Food Science and Technology and vocational training institutions.  They will be appropriately certified to engage in agro-processing ventures and also access the Industrial Venture Capital Fund once they qualify.

These new entrepreneurs with the requisite skills will then join those who have been encouraged and facilitated through the formal education system to provide increased employment opportunities through small and medium scale enterprises across the country.

Government is also going to provide capital for the youth with an entrepreneurial potential, to enable them to start viable commercial ventures after they have received the necessary training and certification from Enterprise Uganda. Enterprise Uganda deals will improve the entrepreneurial attitudes and skills of the youth they train and prepare them to manage the enterprises they establish sustainably.

I am, therefore, directing the ministers of Finance and Gender Labour and Social Development to establish a Youth Employment Scheme, to effect this measure.

The Scheme must also provide access to capital managed by commercial banks at reasonable rates and over a sufficient period to address the problem of unemployed youth who would otherwise want to work for themselves if they were provided with the means and skills to do so.

Government will also support, in a similar manner, youth who wish to operate joint facilities such as community-owned timber and welding workshops using this intervention.  All the parents and youth should be informed that there is a total of 88 Government Institutes in Uganda (25 Technical Schools, 34 Technical Institutes, 4 Technical Colleges, 16 Community Polytechnics, 3 Vocational Schools, 1 Vocational Training Centre, 1 Community Polytechnic Instruction college and 4 farm Schools).  We are going to expand and equip all these schools that teach technical skills.  You should use them to get skills that are marketable.

D: Human Development

The presence of innovative scientists that I have placed a concerted effort in supporting over the years underscores the importance of developing our human resources to meet any of our national aspirations. As you all know, the NRM Government has placed Human Development central to the achievement of the social and economic well-being of Ugandans with the universalization of primary and secondary education. The Government also recognizes the need to have a healthy population that can engage in all aspects of development and, therefore, stresses the importance of having a sound health system, adequate provision of safe water and proper sanitation facilities across the country.

Education
Following the universalization of primary and secondary education, the NRM Government will progress the education agenda towards developing the necessary technical and vocational skills required to run a modern efficient economy. The NRM Government has ensured that the opportunity to learn is availed for every school going age child at primary and secondary levels. Consequently, up to 12 million Uganda school going age children are in school and every effort will be made to ensure that the other 3 million who are out of school because of social constraints and other impediments actually go to school.

As I have pointed out before, the achievements recorded by the NRM Government at the primary education level since 1997 have been significant. For instance, over 12,000 thousand new classrooms have been built, bringing the total number of primary school classrooms in the country  to over 82,000. The classrooms in 1986 were only 28,000.  An additional 20,000 teachers houses have also been constructed at schools to ensure teachers are not constrained in doing their jobs. The number of children passing PLE rose four-fold from about 80,000 in 1997 to 356,000 in 2007.

The secondary school segment has registered similar achievements. Since Universal Secondary Education (USE), commenced in 2007, the percentage of pupils who are enrolled from Primary Seven to Senior Secondary School has increased from 44 percent to 73 percent. A further 39 seed secondary schools in sub-counties that did not have any secondary school have been built and the Government is planning the construction of another 25.

At the tertiary level, the number of public and privates universities and university-affiliated institutions registered totaled 29 with an enrolment of almost 108,000 in the 2008/09 academic year. You can see the tremendous progress, from the enrollment of 5,000 students in 1986! A further 117 public and private institutions offer tertiary courses with an enrolment of 47,000 in 2008. Government, together with the private sector has, therefore, made great effort towards ensuring that there are opportunities for learning at the highest levels of the education system for those who wish to pursue education.

While at the highest level in universities and colleges Government will emphasize the teaching of science and technology among other disciplines, the vocational and technical skills required to support industry will be the emphasis, over and above basic primary and secondary education. Government will, therefore, turn to other important facets of the education system to ensure that the nation has the necessary human resources required to build and sustain a modern nation. Government will embark on the vocationalization of education that will depend on the discerned needs of the market for employment skills in the economy. In this manner, learning opportunities for technicians in all the necessary fields will be developed. I am, accordingly, directing the Minister of Education to deal with this matter expeditiously.

The above achievements notwithstanding, the education sector suffers from problems of teacher absenteeism, poor teacher supervision and continued unscrupulous charging of compulsory fees by Head teachers, which is against the law. This constrains the achievements of higher education outcomes for our young people. I would, therefore, like to urge parents and community leaders to report Head teachers who carry out such malpractices and teachers who also absent themselves from duty to their area Councilors, Members of Parliament and Resident District Commissioners. I have also, recently, constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Primary and Secondary Education to study problems of these sub-sectors and provide recommendations that Government will work to implement.

Health

In the Health sector, The NRM Government has sought to deliver a minimum health care package that deals with the most common causes of ill-health. Consequently, new health centers have been built across the country and a programme to ensure they are fully equipped will be undertaken in all Health Centers, District and Regional Hospitals in the country. The Mulago National Referral Hospital will also be rehabilitated beginning the Financial Year 2010/11. Government will also continue to train and recruit more health workers to fill the current shortage of health workers at all levels of the health system.

In the health sector, Government has over many years been transferring funds to districts to purchase drugs with minimal amounts being allocated to the National Medical Stores for centralized purchasing. Local Governments have, largely, not made the intended purchases; and even the few drugs that reach health centers from the National Medical Stores have invariably been stolen, leading to drug shortages. With the recent centralization of funding for purchasing drugs at the National Medical Stores, the drugs will, now, be centrally purchased and physically delivered to Health Centers. The labeling of drugs and increased vigilance of both public and private health centers, by the population and community leaders must ensure that these drugs are not stolen.

The recent arrest, by officials from my office, of errant public health workers who steal drugs must serve as a wake-up call for the entire population to safeguard public drugs that are meant to be given to patients free of charge.

E: Public Service Management, Anti-Corruption and Governance

In addition to investing in the physical and other supportive infrastructure required to deliver public services, Government will now insist on the adherence to rules and procedures to ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and realization of value for money. Otherwise, the positive actions the NRM Government has undertaken in the areas I have enumerated would have been more significant on the ground had we not been constrained by mismanagement and outright theft and abuse of office by many public servants at both central and local government levels.

Expenditure

One of the main objectives of the 2009/10 national budget was to provide a fiscal stimulus to the economy. However, the implementation of Government programmes in the first half of this fiscal year fell short of what had been programmed, due to the lack of utilisation of Government Expenditure.  The underutilisation of budgeted funds is due to unpreparedness of public servants in implementing Government programs and projects. Although some people are blaming the low absorption capacity of Government funds on the Government insistence on having value for money, it is only sensible that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely to benefit all Ugandans through improved services.  The question of the courts releasing thieves on bail or giving them light sentences is not acceptable.  We have fought many wars; the least I expect of the Judiciary is seriousness.

Therefore, Ministries and Local Governments and other agencies must provide credible work plans where outputs are verified, to ensure that whoever is responsible is held accountable.  The reforms being implemented on improving the efficiency of public spending have helped to identify problems that have previously undermined service delivery. We now know these problems, including those individuals who have been stealing public funds; and I am taking action on these individuals. In the very near future, these actions will result in increased quantity and quality of public service delivery for all Ugandans.

To take an example, the public procurement and accounting officers have demonstrated bad practices leading to loss of public money and wasteful expenditure. Some technical officers of Local Governments and even Chief Administrative Officers and Permanent Secretaries are either involved in mal-practices or do not supervise their staff adequately to ensure the delivery of intended Government programmes. This lack of seriousness must stop forthwith. I am going to hold accountable every single accounting officer, including Permanent Secretaries, for the actions or inactions of their officers.

If procurement is not done on schedule in accordance with work plans submitted to Parliament in Ministerial Policy Statements, for example, I expect the Permanent Secretary to accordingly take action against the officer concerned; or they themselves will be held responsible. In the same vein, the Chief Administrative Officers and District Directors of Health Services will be held responsible for the absence of staff from health centers, the theft of drugs and the abuse of NAADS resources if they do not show that they have taken all the necessary actions to reprimand or discipline their juniors.

With respect to the on-going CHOGM investigations, Ugandans need to know that the effort of Government has led to tremendous improvement in the image of Uganda as a leisure and conference destination, the abuse of procedures and resources by some officials notwithstanding. To take an example, non-resident arrivals at Entebbe International Airport increased by 32 percent from about 642,000 arrivals in 2007 to 844,000 in 2008. This follows an increase by only 19 percent and 15 percent in 2006 and 2007 respectively. These visitors to Uganda bring in much needed business for Ugandan hotels, where the number of rooms has increased tremendously as a result of both private entrepreneurship and Government support during CHOGM.

Government policy and the success of CHOGM notwithstanding, I do not condone the action of those public officials who abused procedures and mismanaged any resources allocated to them for the event. Indeed, I commissioned a special audit of CHOGM expenditure by the Auditor General, which is now the subject of the deliberations of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Therefore, Government fully supports all organs that are charged with improving Governance and Accountability of public resources, including the Office of the Auditor General, the Inspectorate of Government and Parliamentary Committees on Public Account and Local Government Public Accounts; and the relevant Courts of Law.  This is hoping that the courts will really have ‘teeth’ to deal with these people who steal money and government resources.  Government will ensure that the necessary punitive action is taken against officials abusing rules and regulations and I am directing the Ministry of Finance to also institute efficient checks to stop this abuse forthwith, including undertaking surprise inspections to unearth embezzlement and mismanagement of public resources.

The time for a laissez faire attitude among public servants is over. I will not hesitate to take action against Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Institutions who do not achieve reasonable progress with their work plans. I am, therefore, directing the Right Honourable Prime Minister to ensure the quarterly assessment of ministerial, departmental and local government work plans and to take action or recommend to me any action that must be meted out against errant officials.

The NRM in 1986 embarked on repairing the economy.  The economy was in shambles; the owners of companies had fled and the companies and factories had closed.  We attracted all these back and they created employment and they started paying taxes.  Tax collection improved.  I have told you before that tax collection in 1986 was only U shs 5 billion, which is about US 2.5million.  Our tax collection is now 4,300 billion, which is about US$ 2.5 billion dollars. This is our own money which we are collecting in Uganda; and we are sending this money to the districts and to the different departments to the ministries.  And what happens to this money?  The drugs are stolen.  Recently, I had to create units to fight them. Earlier on, we had created the office of the IGG.  And what happens in courts?  People are accused of stealing people’s drugs, money and they are released on bail. As I said earlier, this is not acceptable.

Security

Government shall continue to secure the lives and property of all citizens as well as protect their rights.  It is imperative, therefore, that we all continue to adhere to the rule of law and constitutionalism in order to jealously guard the peace prevailing.  Uganda is now peaceful, from North, to South, from East to West.  We defeated Kony, whom some of these people were going to worship in Garamba.  I refused to send an NRM delegation to Garamba to see Kony.  Rugunda went there as a Government Minister; the Minister of Internal Affairs deals with all sorts of people, criminals, people who are going to hang tomorrow.  So when that foolery went on for a long time, we went and dealt with Kony the way he should be dealt with.  Those who were killing our people have now paid.  The other day in Gulu I gave the figures at a ceremony of installing a Bishop there.  The rustlers in Karamoja have been disciplined and disarmed.  The North-East is peaceful.  The ADF cannot dare to come from Congo, although there are still some remnants, who are now the problem of the Congo government; they cannot come here to disturb us.  If they come, they will not go back, but will stay here ‘horizontally’.  Uganda is now peaceful.  I will not tolerate any other trouble makers.

If you want anything, do it according to the laws.  In 1994/95, we elected people to represent us; they came and sat here in the CA for two years debating the Constitution of Uganda.   This constitution is the only democratically agreed constitution in the history of Uganda since God created what is now Uganda.  The one of 1962 was by some chiefs and some groups, political parties which had not even gone through elections that time. The 1995 Constitution was agreed by the people of Uganda.  So I expect, I demand; and we shall have strict adherence to the constitution of Uganda.  There should be no mistake about this.  If you want to do anything, follow the constitution. You don’t follow the constitution; I will take action against you, as the elected President of Uganda.

On the side of international relations, Uganda continues to enjoy amicable relations with her neighbours on all sides.  With the celebration of 10 years of the revival of the East African community, Uganda continues to advocate for the boosting of productivity through promotion of infrastructure, investments, industries and trade as well as a common defence, among others.    Uganda handed over the Chair of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2009, after a successful two years of leadership.  Uganda continues to join the rest of the world in efforts to mitigate the extreme climatic conditions and put in place measures to protect our environment.

As we come to the close of the year 2009 and start a new year, I am calling upon all Ugandans to participate in the crusade of eliminating poverty and supporting faster socio-economic growth. While government will continue to provide a conducive environment with targeted socio-economic programmes, each citizen must be responsible, patriotic and plan for their households and personal aspirations for the year 2010.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

I thank you.

---

[1] Mr.Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director, IMF

UK based Michael Senyonjo, is a  frustrated but quite articulate Muganda man. He sent us an email today expressing total disgust at the performance of Engineer JB Walusimbi as the Katikkiro of Buganda. Mr. Senyonjo’s one-line email specifically says, “I simply cannot stomach this Katikiiro any more. He should go by March this year and have enclosed reasons why. Please publish.”  Mr. Senyonjo attached an articulate paper to his email, presenting the case for his call that Owek. JB Walusimbi should become a former Katikkiro by March 2010.

Below, we reproduce Mr. Senyonjo’s unedited 10 reasons, plus 5 bonus ones,  why Katikkiro Walusimbi must resign by March 2010:

Ten Reasons Why Katikiiro Walusimbi Must Resign
By Michael Senyonjo, UK

(1) Unacceptable behaviour

The [Katikkiro] has demonstrated the kind of personality unbecoming of a Buganda [Katikkiro].  He has snarled and swirled while addressing the Lukiiko.  Branded Baganda living abroad as “needing psychiatric treatment.  His mannerism and lack of respect for the Kabaka’s subjects is against the norms and culture of the people of Buganda and therefore unacceptable.  This is how one respectable Muganda describes [Katikkiro] Walusimbi’s style after his recent tour of London: “The way he addresses his audience, personal perception of his surroundings, approach to those that wish to debate his line decisions and above all the way he has concluded to employ the tactic of individual naming. He might be an Engineer but when it comes to management, interpersonal skills, and crisis management the man is a miss. There is just a gap between what a Buganda’s Kabaka mouthpiece should be and what Mr Walusimbi is. You sort of tend to believe that he thinks that Baganda are some kind of concrete mixed with cement and stones and that once placed in the sun they will dry and stay there for ever! The longer he stays in this office the more embarrassment the kingdom will suffer”.

(2) Betrayed Buganda Warriors

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi betrayed Betty Nambooze, Medard Lubega, Peter Mayega and the rest of Buganda at the time when his leadership was needed most.  When the 3 Buganda officials were kidnapped and held hostage by state agents against their constitutional rights in 2008, the [Katikkiro] signed a document with then Uganda’s internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in which he falsely agreed that the 3 Buganda officials were criminals engaged in unlawful acts.  He signed an agreement with the central government which partly read: “to ensure that these particular individuals henceforth do not engage in unlawful activities.” He also pledged to stop “the negative campaigns which have and continue to be carried on CBS.”  However, the 3 Buganda officials are law abiding citizens and CBS as a radio has a right to air views of any citizens of Uganda.

(3) Betrayed the Kabaka on Buruli visit.

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi betrayed the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi when he failed to accompany His Majesty to Nakasongola in Buruli County.  At the time of the visit, Security Agents had warned the [Katikkiro] of false insecurity.  While the Kabaka braved the fears and headed to Buruli, the [Katikkiro] stayed away.  Security forces eventually managed to block the Kabaka from visiting Buruli County.  These were times when the [Katikkiro] should have been with the Kabaka and he wasn’t.  He should go.

(4) Is the [Katikkiro] the Wolf among us?

The continued betrayal of Buganda by the [Katikkiro] is demonstrated by his close relationship with people Baganda view as their enemies or occupiers.  The [Katikkiro] is believed to hold night meetings with the government behind the backs of other senior authorities at Mengo.  His entire ideology is now similar to that of the NRM occupiers.  Baganda Royalists are being hounded out of Mengo and replaced by NRMO’s poisonous politicians of the Ssematimba caliber.  He wants [Buganda] in NRMO bondage and this is unacceptable because the NRM and its President Yoweri Museveni are an occupying force in Buganda.  President Museven is now a confirmed, irreconcilable, permanent and fearsome enemy of Buganda.  Any attempt to treat him otherwise, the way Walusimbi has done or is trying to do, turns him (Walusimbi) an enemy of Buganda and therefore not fit to be the [Katikkiro].  This is how one Buganda royalist describe Walusimbi in front of the Kabaka:

“Your Majesty Kabaka, hero of heroes, don’t you see what’s going on?  I inform you that the wolves are finishing us.  The wolves are with us, are we going to do tourism from the air?  We need land to do that.  Where there is no land, there is no Buganda. The empty land is for our future generations.  We oppose the Land and Kampala bills because they are against our traditions.  We want no negotiations without what was taken away from us.  Your Majesty, the enemy is now with us just besides you … (People shouted ‘Walusimbi, Ssematimba)’.  But as Baganda we have to stand up and say NO”

(5) Soliciting for and receiving Sh. 2/= bn bribe

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi has, without consulting Baganda, solicited for and received sh. 2 bn in grants from the central government.  So far, sh 350 million of the amount has been paid.  It may seem normal to the [Katikkiro], but in the eyes of the Baganda, this money looks like a bribe that should never have been solicited for.  His argument that peasants in Buganda want even more money shows that the [Katikkiro] is misleading instead of leading.  What does he expect peasants who sell their ballots for sh. 500 to do or say once they see money in their hands.  Now that we know the money was part of a sh. 110 billion heist by the central government from Bank of Uganda its should be returned. The Central government owes Buganda Sh. 900 billion, that is what the [Katikkiro] should be pursuing and NOT handouts.  He is pursuing the wrong policies and therefore should resign.

(6) Dividing Buganda.

When he was given the Ddamula, [Katikkiro] Walusimbi was given a task by the Kabaka to unite Baganda and seeks return of Ebyaffe.  However, his actions have openly caused divisions among Baganda of all generations all around the globe. This is because he seems to be of the view that pursuit of cheap and corrupt economic gain supersedes need for self determination and dignity.  As a result, he has been heckled in London and Kampala.  Openly referred to as a traitor in front of the Kabaka and calls for his resignation are multiplying by the day.  He hasn’t got a single policy that can be relied upon as a symbol of Unity.

(7) Continued stay could significantly damage the institution of Kabakaship

Dividing Buganda, bribery, abandoning the Kabaka and betraying Buganda among others indicate that the continued [Katikkiro]ship of JB Walusimbi is likely to place the Kabakaship and the Kabaka into disrepute.  Baganda royalists have openly referred to him as ‘wolves among us’ right in front of the Kabaka. These are quite worrying and unprecedented scenarios.  Since the Kabaka is the appointing authority, it is easy for people’s perceptions to change and start looking at the Kabaka negatively.  Quick action has to be done to prevent this from happening.  Therefore, the best way [Katikkiro] Walusimbi can best serve Buganda and the Kabaka is by resigning his position.

(8) Abandoned pursuit of Ebyaffe

From the [Katikkiro’s] speeches and strategy, few Baganda think that the [Katikkiro] is still in pursuit of ‘Ebyaffe’.  Instead, the [Katikkiro] seems to be taking on a line that helps the enemy achieve ‘Ebyabwe’, an approach many Baganda find problematic.  He seems to blame ordinary Baganda for the poverty they’re engulfed in, forgetting that for the last 24 years, the occupying NRM government of the day has pursued a silent policy of frustrating Baganda economically.

(9) Too close to the enemy

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi has brought the enemies of Buganda too close to the Kabaka and the people of Buganda.  At a recent Expo Buganda’09 in Bulange, the Kabaka is seen in the company of a man in Military Uniform.  The Army is forcefully occupying Buganda and has prevented the Kabaka from visiting Buruli country.  Newly elected Lubaga Division LC3 Chairman Ssematimba is seen next to the [Katikkiro].  Sematimba is a preacher of poisonous politics and boasts of not being a Mengo Royalist.  The NRM government he wants us to ally with is dividing Buganda by creating Ssabaruli, Ssabanyalya, and Ssabakooki and is encouraging Banyoro to reclaim several counties of Buganda.  The Kampala and Land Bills are a sinister plan to grab huge chunks of Buganda land.  The NRMO regime has over the last 20 years destroyed everything about Buganda that sustained the 5 year [guerrilla] war that brought them to power.  It is hard to see how people who have spent the last 23 years destroying Buganda’s economic pillars can now be trusted as the ones to bring prosperity to the region. There must be a reason why people who mix guitars and drums to compose the music you listen to on your radio cannot plant a tree of Banana, coffee or cassava.  [Katikkiro] Walusimbi does not see that there is a sinister plan within the NRM to destroy Buganda and should therefore resign.

(10) The 12 Resolutions of the Lukiiko

On Monday 20^th July ’09, the Buganda Lukiiko passed 12 resolutions detailing Buganda’s continued relationship with the central government.  The resolutions committed Buganda to end any negotiations with the central government unless all Buganda’s concerns are addressed.   These include Return of Akenda, County headquarters and Federal status among others.  We know that [Katikkiro] Walusimbi had ignored these issues and taken on NRMO’s cheap fictitious development talk.

Even if the [Katikkiro] was the one reading out the resolutions, it is clear that he was forced to do so because they were not what he believes.  Therefore, instead of leading, the [Katikkiro] was misleading and should resign his position.

Most recently,

(11) Forced Kabaka-Museveni meeting and negotiation

The [Katikkiro] hurled the Kabaka into talks with President Museveni despite protests from all reasonable minded Baganda that such talks will yield nothing.  Indeed, Buganda has got nothing out of the Kabaka-Museveni meeting.  While the President and his occupiers of Buganda are talking about ‘Tutesa, kasita tatesa’, the land bill has passed, the regional tier bill is in parliament and the Kampala bill is on the way.  All this mean one thing: END OF BUGANDA AS WE KNOW IT.

(12) Bukedde Radio at Buganda Ttabamiruka ’09 Conference!

The [Katikkiro] then chose to use the radio of the occupiers to broadcast events at the recently concluded Buganda Conference in Kampala.  A slap in the face for the 31 dead during Buganda riots and a kick in the teeth to the redundant employees of CBS radio.  Government radios should never have come anywhere near this function because now peasants will start listening to them as substitute for CBSfm radio.  Slowly but surely, [Katikkiro] Walusimbi is invalidating the status of CBS radio among the peasants.  He is not working for us but the enemy.

(13) Demobilizing Buganda Nationalism!!

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi then went ahead and is quoted to have told Baganda workers at an end of year party not to sacrifice for their motherland.  “Temulina kubera Bajulizzi” (You don’t have to be martyrs) the [Katikkiro] is quoted to have said.  Which country is freed without sacrifice of Human Life?  What about the people of Luwero.  IS the [Katikkiro] saying that the people of Luwero and rest of Uganda who lost their lives to drive Obote out of power were fools?  Is the [Katikkiro] saying that those who died for Buganda during the September riots last year were fools?

(14) Failed Buganda worrier Sam Lubega

The [Katikkiro] is failed to offer Sam Lubega, the other DP Presidential contender a slot to speak at the recently concluded Ttabamiruka.  We can understand his love for Norbert Mao but cannot forgive him for snubbing a gallant son of Buganda and Uganda patriot Sam Lubega.

(15) [Strong Katikkiro] is what we want.

Today Buganda needs a [strong-minded] [Katikkiro], someone who can manipulate around politics without looking political.  Walusimbi is NOT this person.  If Walusimbi does not resign his position, Baganda royalists must oust him with mass demonstrations.  His continued [Katikkiroship] is undermining the authority of Mengo in the eyes of ordinary Baganda.  We want someone who is seen to fight our corner.

Given the above points, it is wise to conclude that [Katikkiro] Walusimbi is the wrong [Katikkiro], serving at the wrong time, doing the wrong things, saying the wrong words and with the wrong perception of what Buganda wants.  He should resign his position and return Namulondo.  Buganda cannot afford to go towards the general elections in 2011 with a [Katikkiro] who is clearly working against her interests.

Katikkiro JB Walusimbi’s efforts to convince Baganda that ,after more than 20 years of manipulation and iron-fist rule by the NRM government, their only option is to negotiate with Uganda’s warlords are starting to undermine the authority of his office.  Our sources in places as disparate as Nakulabye,  Masaka, Boston, New York and London all tell us that a growing number of Baganda are upset by Mr. Walusimbi’s undisguised efforts to show his loyalty to  Museveni, VP Gilbert Bukenya and the NRM occupation government.

On December 17, 2009, Owek. Walusimbi apologetically told the 2nd Buganda Conference, that “Buganda does not seek any type of special status” in response to demands by an Acholi, Mao, and a Munyankore cattle keeper, Kanyeihamba , that Baganda must first convince other Ugandans if they (Buganda) want Federo (see “Kabaka Mutebi and His Man Kyanjo Save Baganda Dignity At 2nd Buganda Conference” and “Katikkiro Walusimbi Tells Baganda, Stop Thinking Buganda Is Special”). Staying on message, two days later, Katikkiro Walusimbi told Buganda government workers at their end-of-year party that: “When fighting for Buganda’s freedom, you should not take the risk of becoming martyrs. We need to fight calmly.”

Since his appointment at Katikkiro, Mr. Walusimbi has not hidden his close relationship with the NRM government, especially Yoweri Museveni and VP Gilbert Bukenya. Indeed, early this year Ugandan warlord Museveni himself told a press conference: “We have no problem with Katikkiro Walusimbi … The Katikkiro is our man.”  Before September 2009, Mr. Walusimbi’s seemingly anti-Buganda actions were nearly always cancelled out by a highly tactical and excellently executed pro-Buganda campaign by committed Baganda nationalists on CBS FM Radio.  Walusimbi was no match for the dynamic team of Betty Nambooze, Lubega Ssegona, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Daudi Mpanga, Hussein Kyango and others.

In the wake of the September 2009 NRM’s Kayunga massacre of Baganda who were protesting Museveni’s decision to bar Kabaka Mutebi from touring Bugerere county, the NRM closed down CBS FM Radio. That decision left Katikkiro Walusimbi with full control over what the public hears from Mmengo. He enjoys full access to NRM government media resources, from New Vision and Bukedde to Star FM and Bukedde FM.  All other media outlets in Uganda are barred from publishing any pro-Buganda messages, including those that praise the Buganda nation or Ssabasajja Kabaka, Mutebi II. But Mr. Walusimbi’s new found power over the Uganda’s media outlets seems to be coming at high cost to him personally and to Mmengo, the institution.   

A growing number of Baganda activists are choosing to go underground and are keeping their distance from Mmengo, convinced that the Katikkiro is Museveni’s top spy in the institution. In their view, Engr. JB Walusimbi, Peter Mayiga and Apollo Makubuya and their supporters have lost touch with the ordinary Baganda and alternative leadership is needed to deal with Buganda’s challenges.  More hope is being put on the likes Owek. Nsubuga Nsambu, Betty Nambooze and Hussein Kyanjo although they are also saddled with their continued active engagement in Uganda’s NRM dominated politics. 

It is against the above background that Baganda nationalists in the Diaspora taking on Walusimbi for what they see as his blatant betrayal of his office, for what they consider short-term financial gains.  Mr. Robert Kabuye of Boston who broadcasts on the widely popular SMS Radio program, Ekiba Kibe, spoke for many when he warned the Katikkiro to stop provocative anti-Buganda statements. In the 12/26/09 Ekiba Kibe Luganda program, Mr. Kabuye told the Katikkiro (excerpts): “Owek. Katikkiro … ggwe omuntu omu tosobola kutujjako Buganda. Abajulizi nabo baali Baganda ssebo….Tujja kulwanirira Obuganda. Oba ggwe bakuwadde kyebakuwa… ffe tetukyalina budde bwo! … Walusimbi, who are you? … Ffe tetulina kubeera nti Mmengo etumanyi okulwanirira Obuganda…” (“Owek Katikkiro … you, a single person, cannot take our Buganda from us. The martyrs were also Baganda sir … We are going to continue fighting for Buganda. If you have been bribed … we don’t have time for you! … Walusimbi, who are you? … We do not need to be known to Mmengo to fight for Buganda …”). Click on Ekibakibe_26Dec09A  to listen to Robert Kabuye’s full broadcast .

When we asked a leading Buganda analyst based  in New York to comment on the situation, he responded that Walusimbi’s behavior and the reaction it is eliciting from Baganda all over the world is typical of what happens when a nation is under occupation or captivity.  He explained: “Kabaka Mutebi has successfully overseen, especially with the help of Dan Muliika, a full re-emergence of the Buganda nation. Think about it, of the 6 or so million Baganda, at least 5 are 30 years are younger, unemployed, poor and are convinced that they are victims of a conspiracy among Banyankore, Bakiga, Rwandese, Indians and other foreigners to keep them in servitude. At the same time, thanks to Kabaka Mutebi’s steady hand, these young people know that they belong to a real nation, Buganda,  with a glorious history and legacy  worth defending.”

“On the other hand, everything the Museveni and his  NRM has done since 1986 was part of a long-term plan to impoverish and marginalize Baganda to the extent that most of them would eagerly seek other tribal identities.  Now that the opposite has happened and Buganda has become a stronger than it has ever  been since 1887 during Ssekabaka Muteesa I’s reign, it is automatic that we end up with an ‘occupied nation’ situation. That is why, over the last 2-3 years Museveni’s NRM has subconsciously adopted classic occupation force tactics. Similarly, Baganda are acquiring ever better occupation resistance skills, from street riots to underground operations, to propaganda machinery.  When you read about Nazi occupations across Europe, you will see mirror examples of collaborators like JB Walusimbi, appeasers like Peter Mayiga, business opportunists like some CBS Radio shareholders, those with divided-royalties like Baganda DPs, turncoats like Nsibambi and Robert Sebunya, infiltrators like Igiro Semajege,  traitors  like Bukenya and Ssekandi, and so on. 

“The message from Kabuye is only the first shot by outside Baganda that they might take command control of the struggle from Walusimbi and Mmengo.  In 1967 Mmengo was incompetent when it came to protecting Ssekabaka Edward Muteesa and the Namulondo of Buganda.  They lacked intelligence gathering/analysis and strategic planning skills and the same is true today. It appears that Mmengo should expect more challenge if Baganda in Diaspora agree with the masses at home  that the Mmengo of today is not up to the job.  Don’t be shocked if the signals for a future Buganda demonstrations come from Boston or New York. If I had the ear of Ssabasajja Kabaka, I would mention to him that, if he wishes, this may be a good time keep quiet and let you subjects do some work. Uganda’s pharaoh will one day have to let your people go. Ekikutte obudde kiributa!”