Dear Ugandans,

I recommend you to visit the human rights website at: www.humanrightsdefence.org. I have been browsing through it and found it so interesting. It is my belief that when a population do not know their rights, then every Tom and Dick will just play around with them in any way they want. So we probably need to encourage our people to learn a thing or two about human rights.

I would like to comment on the essay titled:’ Enlarging the Scope of Democracy by Changing our Interpretation of Human Rights’ written by Uday Pasricha. I found the essay so interesting such that I picked few bits to share with the Ugandans. I agree with Uday that the line in the mission statement of the website that says ‘shielding Humans from Humans’ is awesome but it is not realistic and unachievable in the current world. Some of us who have participated in discussions online with other Ugandans across the globe find it interesting that a Ugandan based in London or somewhere abroad can have the courage to send you an email threatening you with prison because you have disagreed with him over something. So how can any one shield a Ugandan based in Uganda against his rights being violated when a Ugandan in a developed country can still violate the rights of a fellow Uganda abroad.

 Uday also mentioned that human rights that are merely granted in a constitution do not always provide freedom for individuals if there is poor governance and lack of infrastructure. This is a factor that has led to the development of a certain class of people in poor countries that think that they are even above the laws made in that constitution. This class of people tend to be mega-rich or just connected to the big people in the government. The poor governance in Uganda has, for example, led to people being evicted off their land without any protection given to individual tenants. The current fights between Mengo administration and the central government over the land bill and federalism also mirror a society where individuals or a certain sect can no longer trust the central government to grant human rights of individuals.

 I also agree with Uday when he summarily said that’ democracy now creates an elite of unequals who control the majority through their ever increasing economic control or muscle power’. This is a situation that has embraced the whole of Africa particularly Uganda for the last 23 years. Late Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu rightly put it on my graduation party that a certain sect which is around 3% controls and own the Uganda economy while the biggest percentage are suffering. This 3% can organise the elections and win it using their influence over the majority ,therefore using democracy and economic power to protect their rights vigorously. Nobody is bothered about the rights of individuals like myself in Uganda.

Taxation and subsidising goods were policies introduced to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in any society but these policies have been abused so much. When Uganda Revenue Authority collects annual taxes, the biggest percentage of the taxes collected again benefits mainly the minority who are already rich. As the poor yearn for the roads and good heath services, the politicians are demanding for transport allowances abroad and also being taken abroad for treatment. So who is protecting the rights of a common man in the developing world?

 Finally, the developed countries because of trade benefits have globally integrated dictatorial regimes. It is true that this started with countries like China, Singapore and UAE but it has now spread to other developing countries. This makes the developed countries look like hypocrites in these situations. For instance, Britain and USA were one of the countries squeezing Museveni’s regime before the 2006 presidential elections. These countries were incensed by the need to remove presidential term limits from the 1995 constitution and the subsequent arrest of Dr. Kiiza Besigye. UK went ahead and cut off some aid it had promised Uganda. However, this position dramatically changed particularly after the discovery of oil in western Uganda and Tullow (a British Based company) was given the licence to explore Uganda’s oil. So that means, USA and UK cannot even ‘cough’ when individual human rights are being violated in Uganda. This is more like a closed chapter till some miracle happens.

 Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

United Kingdom

1. Both NEC and NCC were dominated by UPC people .
2. Secondly,Nyerere was running the show in Uganda in post Amin administration and whoever acted against  his wishes was shown the way out. Lule was the 1^st to be shown the way before Binaisa. Nyerere was Obote’s personal friend and he was somehow in control of the UNLF government or the military commission. When Binaisa removed Oyite Ojok from his position, he could not consult the NCC b’se he knew the majority were Obote’s men or UPC people.
3.  The Museveni whom some people call strong in the NEC was not even around when Binaisa was being removed. He was not consulted at all b’se there was no need to consult him. He was a small fry in the pan by then. In any case, Binaisa knew that Museveni could not be trusted in the 1^st place and he had demoted him to the ministry of regional cooperation from Defence. So they were not seeing things on the same page already.

 The 1980 elections were a political landmark in the country called Uganda and that’s where we will mostly pin UPC and Obote b’se they failed the 1980 test and exam.

It’s a chicken-and-egg thing, isn’t it? Dictators like Idi Amin,Obote ,Mugabe and Jean-Bedel Bokassa weren’t white guys imposed on African nations – but citizens of  Africa who rose to power through those nations’ “legitimate” political structures! Obote was born and bred in Uganda. He fed on politics. He knew what he was doing by stealing the 1980 election that it will set the country back. Amin was born and bred in Uganda. Museveni is also legally a Ugandan citizen supposedly bred in Uganda and he knows that rigging elections is not good but he does not care as long his party is in power with him as the president.

 On the other hand, the population is also to blame to an extent. Even people in the NRMO know that certain aspects of the electoral process aren’t right but nobody gives a monkey as long as NRMO wins and they retain their daily bread and butter. Unless this changes, we are going to see more rigging as if the 1980,2001,2006 election ‘thefts’ were not enough. The good thing is that all this rigging has been documented and it will be used as a reference as we sort out this mess in our country. What perturbs my mind is the continued denial of rigging by certain parts of the population like as if Uganda will end with Obote or UPC or Museveni. For instance, the documents I and Mr. Otto Patrick posted to the UAH forum with regard to the 1980 elections are genuine but you will find a certain part of the population passionately ready to kiss the hot flat iron just to say that they are forged. These are genuine documents and they will be part of the future reference for the future generation in regard to the 1980 election.Have people ever stopped wondering what Uganda would be like if DP had been given a chance to deservedly lead Uganda after the 1980 elections. The only thing people talk of the immediate war that was sparked after this election theft.The UPC people then continue to blame buganda and baganda for losing their power and these are signs of a selfish person.Very soon they will be asking for the independence of the north b’se that’s where UPC support is.Actually,Mao is steering the wheels towards that way.

 Therefore, I would say that both the leader and the population (party members) take the blame. This business of saying: ‘I eat chicken but not an egg is non starter’.

Byebyo ebyange

Abbey

Ugandans,

Federalism in Uganda is not bad or crap as some people have called it. It is one of the political principles in which so many nations have been organised and governed .The worlds super power; United States is among the federal nations of the world and it has been under that system for over 180 years. If probably Africa becomes one nation, it will also be governed based on the same principle of federalism as the united states of America, since the USA name reflects the various states united together to create a nation. In Uganda’s case, it will be about various regions united together to form a United Uganda.

When regions like Buganda,Toro,Bunyoro,Ankole and North become united in federalism, they will give some important powers to the central government and they will also keep some. In other words, this division of powers is what is called a federal arrangement. People will stop looking at Kampala for solutions to their problems under federalism. The power of the central government in Kampala will be reduced and this will probably reduce on presidents who use languages like: ‘when they see us quite, they think we are not military men’’. Most of the power is restored to the regions or federal states and cities other than just Kampala. The federal states will become laboratories of new ideas if Uganda becomes a federal. These new ideas will include: housing issues, education reform, helping the poor, way to sort out sewage and roads, improving on regional health, e.t.c

The federal system as Mr.Semujju pointed out in his latest article in the Observer, it brings the states closer to the people compared to the central or unitary system. The federal governments are also more responsive to the people. Federalism recognises the fact that what is good for one section of the nation, after all, may not be good for all sections. What is good for Buganda may not be good for Bunyoro or Ankole. It avoids a mixture of ‘katogo’ interests. By having a multitude of different districts, it allows regional laws to be kept in tune with regional mores and preferences.

The same arrangement also allows more small-scale administrative and policy experimentation, and over time the policies that are successful locally can become more widespread.  A multitude of districts also offers more opportunities for participation and access (though, at the same time, it adds complexity). For instance, if rice growing in Kiboga or Kakiiri becomes a successful experiment or project, it can be spread to other federal states or districts with the help of the central government or regional or federal cooperation. If cattle rearing or livestock production has been a proved profitable business in federal Ankole, it can also be adopted by other areas with the help of the central government provided other factors like climate remain constant.

Federalism can also be one way of reducing on the current election fraud in the country. This is one of the reasons why I support both Uganda federalism and East African federation (EAF). With an EAF, we can have an EAC Electoral Commission to supervise elections throughout the member states. With Uganda federalism, several advantages are noticed. These are:

- Voter fraud investigations are labour intensive. So labour can easily be organised locally to get people to supervise or gather any evidence of rigging. The locals are going to be more interested in whoever is going to be their governor or prime minister and this motivates them to watch everything keenly.

- Voter fraud matters are always politically sensitive and very high profile endeavours at the local level. People will find it hard and embarrassing to forge documents because they are known locally by the voters.

- The successful prosecution of voter fraud cases demands that critical witnesses (including voters whose voting acts have been co-opted) be examined under oath before criminal charges based on their testimony are filed. Many states lack the broad grand jury process which exists in the federal system.

- The defendants in voter fraud cases are apt to be politicians – or agents of politicians – and it is often impossible for either the government or the defendant to obtain a fair trial in a case that is about politics and is tried to a locally-drawn jury. The federal court system provides for juries to be
drawn from broader geographic base, thus often avoiding this problem.

Let us support federalism in Uganda. It may be the best thing for the country. The Unitary has not worked.Why does some one think that brushing teeth in canada cannot serve the same purpose as in Uganda.If federalism has been succeful in Canada or USA, why can’t it be succeful in Uganda?

Abbey

What I want to inform anti federalists in Uganda is that they should not be scared about the stability of Uganda and federalism in the country. Stability in most federal states is measured on the basis of three yardsticks: the constitutions, fiscal arrangements and party systems. Switzerland, which is considered as highly federal on all the three counts, is stable (that is, free of secessionism and violence).Uganda has got noises about secession from some Baganda but the government can easily put an end to this by granting full federalism to Buganda or the rest of the country. The reason why secessionist voices won’t go away is because there isn’t even a small bone to cling to at the moment. So let the Museveni government give Buganda ‘egumba’ or ‘bone’ to chew. Then, it will be the responsibility of the rest of Baganda to silence the secessionists. At the moment, the secessionists are more powerful than us and that’s how it gonna be till when the government gives throws us a bone.

 Canada, which is believed to have an ambiguous constitution, quasi-federal fiscal relations and a federal party system, is partially stable since it faces a peaceful secessionist movement in Quebec. The Quebec secession movements have gone quite because the Canada government gave Quebec federalism. So what is Museveni government waiting for? Nevertheless, Canada is a federal society despite its constitution which is only quasi-federal.

 India is also believed to be quasi-federal in all three respects (the constitutions, fiscal arrangements and party systems) and is therefore facing violent secessionist movements and thus is unstable. Uganda is still lucky that the secession movements are not violent and it’s in government’s interests to grant Buganda federo to keep them that way. The longer they delay it, the more chilli these guys will put in their sauce.

 Let me also remind the antifederalists in Canada that Buganda, just like Quebec, are asking to secede because they just want to run their own things. It’s not out of economic neglect and backwardness, cultural discrimination or excessive centralization of power and lack of provincial autonomy. The Quebeckers may be one of the most culturally protected and virile, economically advanced and politically assertive minorities in the world. May be one of the reasons why some baganda aren’t happy can be found in the fact that some forces are trying hard to destroy Buganda culture and economic foundations and that’s why some people see secession as the only way to protect them. Can’t you see how coffee and Banana or matooke production has shifted from Buganda to other regions? Some people aren’t happy about these things and rightly blame the NRMO government.

 All in all, Federalism is not bad at all. I even don’t know why some people  even call it ‘crap’ as if it is a MacDonald burger and chips.

 Abbey

Rwakasisi should not be linked to our Nelson Mandela at all. Not every murderer or thief that pops out of  prison should be linked to Nelson Mandela. I think this was a simple PR by UPC which did not go down very well. I’m also happy that Rwakasisi announced not to involve himself in politics anymore because his involvement would have been the biggest injustice to the politics of Uganda in 2009.He has chosen to die a man of God and let me hope that he does not do a U turn and start ‘mubajjeling’ in politics as sheikh Mubajje is doing.

Surely the UPC wanted to use Rwakasisi’s freedom as a way to rejuvenate their party. That is why mama Miria rushed to call Rwakasisis a ‘Mandela’. UPC are very good at using painful situations to galvanise their party. They did it during Obote’s funeral. They also know very well how the death and funeral of their vice president Paulo Muwanga galvanised the party and brought it back from the limbo it had fallen into after the coup of July 1985.

However, Joseph Ochoeno is right about UPC playing a crucial role during apartheid. That is why Mandella very much wanted Museveni to make up with Obote before his death in Zambia. Mandella also invited Obote during his inauguration as president of South Africa. Mandela acknowledged Obote by name as one of the people who helped their struggle. Mandela also helped Obote with money while he was in exile in Zambia. Nyerere  was also friends with both Museveni and Obote and they both tried very hard to bring the two together but Museveni could have none of them could have any of it.

With due respect, What was Obote studying in Ethiopia to be called a DR? Obote was expelled from the University for organizing a food riot, and there are no records anywhere to indicate he ever studied for a medical degree, or a PhD in any field. So what is with this fixation of calling the man Dr.? I think I agree with Mr. Shyaka Kanuma , UNHCR (Rwanda) Media and Information Consultant when he said in 2005 that people who praise Obote all the time can be assumed to reflect some pathological inability  not to tell the whole truth. Have we ever heard of any UPC supporter or sympathiser coming up to say that Obote did A,B,C and D and therefore let us move on. It was only Omugeye Miria Kalule Obote who apologised in 2006 elections on behalf of UPC but she never told us what she was actually apologising for. That is why I have been asking Mr. Joseph Ochieno to give us a list of the things UPC was apologising for. By the way, Joseph promised to send us this list and we are still waiting.

Abbey

Note: Joseph Ochieno is UPC ’s representative in the UK and Ireland

‘Sowing the Mustard seed’ is both Museveni and Obote’s book. It is a book which don’t tell us a lot about some of the main things we need to know. I actually pray that another of the historicals like Besigye  and Muntu write a different book and keep it somewhere to act as a second reference to what happened between 1980 and 2006. We have been fed with enough lies about NRA and Obote and some of us have had enough. Some one somewhere needs to start telling the truth or we shall force the truth out of them.

The 1997 ‘Museveni- Obote’ or ‘sowing the mustard seed’ is a book that is much dominated by the name Obote and UPC.Apart from Museveni, the item, group, event, or personality that gets the second highest number of mentions is Milton Obote.

According to the Monitor newspaper(2005),In Sowing The Mustard Seed, Obote appears on 51 pages, followed by Amin on 47 pages, the Uganda People’s Congress party on 34, Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere on 26, Museveni’s first fighting force Fronasa on 25, the Democratic Party on 21, Museveni’s comrades Eriya Kategaya 19 and Martin Mwesiga 18 respectively, the National Resistance Army on 16, Museveni’s brother Lt. General Salim Saleh also on 16 pages, and the National Resistance Movement party on 10 pages. Museveni’s wife, Janet Kataha Museveni, appears only on 8 pages.

Absurdly, the UPC party of Obote gets more space in Museveni’s book than any political group Museveni has ever founded and led, from Fronasa, to the UPM, and the NRA/NRM.

I also just wish that the UPC guys like Ochieno Joseph stop hiding the truth about Obote and write everything for the sake of us, the young generation, who endeavour to find the truth wherever it is. It pains me when I open my inbox and read a message about UPC that is indefensible from Ochieno. This kind of stand does not do any fovours for UPC at all. UPC killed Ugandans and we want a UPC cabinet member like Tiberondwa or Rwakasisi to come out and say everything as it happened. We don’t need to be refered to Obote memoirs like Ochieno has been doing.

So basically we need atleast three books from another NRM historical and an Obote or UPC historical to corraborate what is in Museveni’s book.

Nze Bwendaba

    Abbey

Notes:

Muntu had to defend Museveni against the Luwero murders out of principle. The luwero murders are something that keeps popping up in discussions here. I don’t know the full truth about this but all I know is that Museveni threatened to sue the Daily monitor and Obote in 2005 when Obote accused Museveni of being responsible for Luwero murders. Do you remember the Andrew Mwenda-Obote interview and when he was hosted on the KFM station? Museveni did not go ahead with the libel suit because some people thought that he would fall into Obote’s tricks of justifying something which was not there. It is believed that Obote made these allegations to whip up controversy and confusion because it is common knowledge that the UNLA [Uganda National Liberation Army] was guilty of mass murder in the Luwero Triangle between 1981 and 1985.I’m not a soldier and I did not fight in Luwero triangle but surely Obote failed to protect the Ugandans in Luwero and that makes him a weak statesman.

I would like to make one thing clear: I have got nothing personal against Beti Kamya. If I’m to look into my heart and not brain, I think I admire Beti’s passion and a bit of honesty when she is writing or saying things. I used to spend hours every day with my grandfather listening to political programmes on FM stations from 8pm onwards, and I can confirm that Honourable Beti is one of those people I enjoyed listening to.

Having said the above, my brain tells me that what Kamya is doing now is good and bad. Good in the sense that it generates debate in the whole country about tribalism. This can be good if it can make leaders look into their hearts and dispose off tribalism in the state administration but the fact is that it serves no purpose other than to stir up tribalism in the country. It is bad because tribalism tends to promote instability. It makes democracy very unstable. In all honesty, the bad outweighs the good side of it.

I don’t look at Kamya as some one genuinely fighting for Buganda’s interests. I look at Beti as a politician who can switch sides depending on her personal political benefits. History has shown that fighting for the clan (family) has always been a path to power. Some politicians use it when they are on the ropes to make a point in political circles. It makes some one to stop doing the right thing and only do what is necessary for their political survival.

I agree that Uganda is not like Japan where there is a monoculture society. So tribalism is a reality in the country. There is a lot of tension between Banyankole and other tribes basically because president Museveni has treated his tribes mate with soft gloves most of the time. There is a lot of unfair tension between Baganda and other tribes because of the history of Uganda.

If one looks closely, I think one will find that history offers nationalism as the only consistently effective alternative to tribalism. We can all overcome tribalism as a country in the long run but the problem is that all our leaders are not ready for the experiment of nationalism. Obote was not ready for it as evidenced by the way he stuffed the Uganda Army in the 1960s with his tribes mate, but you will find people calling Obote a Ugandan nationalist. Museveni is not yet ready to be a leader of a national country and that’s why people are rightly pointing out at tribal flaws in his administration. While I was in Kampala you could hear statements like: ‘ebisajja bitubye sente nezibitwala eli ewabwe’ meaning ‘these men have stolen all the money and taken it to their regions’ or ‘bwoba toyina nyindo mpanvu tofuna mulimu Uganda’ meaning ‘if you don’t have a long nose, you don’t get a job in Uganda’. So what is the truth in all these statements?

The truth is that tribalistic instincts inform all too much of human behaviour throughout the ages, and an effective nationalism can seek to transcend those instincts, bringing people together, as it has traditionally done in the United States. With the current unfashionable nationalism of the Obotes and Musevenis, there is no way one is going to stop tribalism in Uganda. Some wise politicians like Beti Kamya have realised or foresighted this situation and therefore have hijacked it to further their own interests. How can one say that there are publicly fighting for Buganda but want to be national chairperson of FDC? Does it make sense to any body? The FDC national chairman in supposed to represent all tribes in Uganda. If you want to fight for Buganda’s interests at political party level or national level, you need to go about it in a wiser way than opening your mouth carelessly. Can any body see Beti achieving anything for Buganda at national level if she keeps opening her mouth like that? We have got to be honest about situations if we are to achieve even an inch of what we claim to fight for.

We were all lumped together by Europeans inside artificial national borders and we have got to find a way to make it work like some people have done. Indonesia has got 13,700 scattered islands comprising more than 360 distinct tribes and ethnic groups and a mix of languages and religions but they are more developed than Uganda with just 52 tribes. The following could be good starting points:

• Due to continuing regional differences, let us make Uganda a federal nation. Mengo and the north are yawning for federalism and I see no reason why they can’t have it. Bunyoro and Mirima are happy to refuse federalism and settle with regional tier because of their morbid jealousy for Buganda.
• Luganda can become our national language because of the various reasons given by several people.
• English can be strengthened as our official language to help with communication between federal states of Uganda and East Africa. You can get anything in East Africa and the world when you know how to speak English. We should not allow the shadow of Swahilli to hang over us.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

This bill is like a cancer that intends to split up Ugandans abroad and home. It is like a borderline between us and the Ugandans at home. It is not different from the bills that try to divide Uganda into more kingdoms other than those recognised by the 1962 and 1995 constitutions. What happened to building ‘Africa for the Africans at home and abroad’ as envisaged by Marcus Garvey? How can black people continue to cooperate and achieve the African dream if we keep having parliaments that bring bills that divide us?

When you look at the contribution the Africans in Diaspora have made towards both fighting colonialism and economic backwardness, then no country on that continent needs to introduce a bill as backward as this one. Pan Africanists like Kwame Nkrumah, Kenyata, Mandella, Du Bois, Blyden, and so many others all needed to travel some where abroad before they launched their wars against aggressors at home. Garvey was the major African Diaspora leader in the 20^th century to see the importance of African self-development being linked to the development to black communities outside of her borders. He never set foot in Africa but his contributions inspired the future leaders to fight colonialism off the continent.

 The DUAL CITIZEN bill should be reviewed immediately because it is not needed in the present climate in Uganda. Uganda still needs Ugandans abroad so much and surely this is not the best way to repay them.

 Speaking of African unity, I some times wish that Buganda had captured the whole of Bunyoro as was the plan when Semei Kakungulu and the British made a successful military offensive against the Bunyoro Kingdom. We would not be having more Henry Ford Mirimas dividing more Ugandans. We would be having a bigger part of the country speaking one language and probably more united that it is one.

 Kakungulu had managed to bring Busoga kingdom under the British protectorate but the British never allowed him to create his own ‘kiganda’ kingdom within Busoga. If they had allowed him, we probably would have had that part of the region more gandalised as well which would be good for the unity of the country. It would have reduced on the number of kingdoms in the country.

Generally, what people like Museveni and Group are doing to create more kingdoms for us in Uganda is a deservice to the unity of Uganda and gradual unity of Africa. There is no reason to divide us more than we are divided now. Those new Museveni kingdoms like ‘Bululi’ and ‘bunyala’ should not be supported by any pan-Africanist or pan-Ugandan in Uganda. The voices from people like Mr.Henry Ford Mirima should not be given a platform in our brains if we are to build a more united Uganda. At the same time, the voices calling for secession of Buganda should also be given a similar response if we are to remain a strong united Uganda. We should however support necessary federalism within Africa federation or East African federation. So a Buganda federal state within Africa or East Africa is not a bad idea at all as it brings services closer to those who need them.

 Byebyo ebyange

 Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

Increasingly, I have heard of people calling Semei Kakungulu a traitor, hero or a nationalist but I want to take my discussion to mostly the ‘nationalist’ part, whatever that might be.  At the same time, I see confusion in people who have thought of themselves  being allied with one political or ideological outlook or another to base on this to call some one a nationalist or not.
Assuming we all  agree with the definition of a nationalist as one who places the nation above the individual, can we call Bunyoro’s Kabalega a nationalist and leave Kakungulu out? I don’t think so. Kabalega was defending the existence of Bunyoro Kingdom and Kakungulu was participating in the creation of a nation called Uganda by fighting with the British and Baganda. So which one of the two is a nationalist by that definition? I think Kakungulu qualifies to be used as a fodder for national purposes compared to Kabalega. 
 
What about the nationalists or internationalists in the present day situation in Uganda. How would you categorise the following groups of people:

·        Those presidents of Uganda or leaders who give more leverage to foreign investors compared to local investors. They treat foreign investors like ‘brides’ compared to local ones.

·        Those who think that a government should be selected by its own citizens in fair and free elections but they turn around and rig the elections. When you think of rigging elections in Uganda, the following years come into our minds: 1980, 2001, 2006 and 2008 ‘Kyadondo’ elections.

·        Those who think that a government should be granted unlimited powers by its own citizens. For instance, I have heard some people on radios in Uganda questioning the powers of judges who did not fight in Luwero bushes.

·        Those who don’t believe that rights are inherent to being alive and not privileges to be dispensed by government.

·        Those who think that it is right for one country to overthrow the lawfully-elected governments of other countries and replace them with dictatorships or Generals from their own army.

·        Those who believe that it is okay for Uganda to break apart into separate countries, each with its own ethnic background, as did the former Soviet Union.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

I don’t know why Sir Henry Ford Mirima(Bunyoro Spokes person) addressed me as ‘omunyoro semuwemba’ but I’m here to ask him to be a part time nationalist for the first time and just look outside the box about the issue of Uganda’s national language. We should not worry about the politicians because they make policies depending on how they benefit from the situations. So this debate is not concluded at all. Because the politicians don’t want to offend the non-baganda voting bloc, which is becoming larger every year, the trick is to play both sides, giving non-baganda what they want (making swahilli the second official language of the Uganda) while not losing the Baganda vote.  They do that by trying to justify Swahilli as our language by using many ruses, hoping that one of them resonates with as many Ugandans as they can,such as:
1) Swahilli is spoken by many tribes in East Africa
2) Swahilli is the language that can unite different tribes in Uganda
3) How can Uganda be ashamed to adopt other languages?

 Please let us not beef up this issue of a national language into Baganda arrogance and lose sight of what is best for the country. The truth is that you’re free to speak whatever you want, but the big problem is when you  have 52 people speaking 52 different languages in one room you have a  major organizational problem. This is why I think a national language like Luganda is necessary, because it is at least spoken by several tribes in the country. It is unfair that indigenous African languages in Africa do not enjoy the status of national language because Africa has got a lot of tribes. We need to go around around this problem by agreeing to at least one language.

 Declaring Luganda as our national language will be a good thing for the country in the long term.  Requiring immigrants to Uganda to be able to speak and write Luganda will be a needed requirement.  The national language is the language in which commerce is conducted, the language used in public education, the language embraced by government. To have a foreign language as one’s national language carries a very deep message of the lack of self-determination and one’s liberties.

 USA has got more languages than all of Uganda combined but they managed to agree that English becomes their national language. In 2006 the USA voted in favour of English as the national language despite having Spanish and other languages being spoken in the country. Actually, they didn’t exactly use the words “national language.” Instead, they chose to call it a “common and unifying language.”  Whatever way they called it, it was a good start.  If you want to come to the United States and be a part of the culture, you should have to learn English. For too long, Ugandans have coddled people who expect to come in the country from all directions and continue speaking whatever language where they came from. This needs to stop as soon as we get Luganda as our national language. In fact, before you are granted Uganda citizenship, you should be given a simple Luganda language test.  If you cannot demonstrate your ability to speak the native language, you’re out.  Go home, learn Luganda and then apply again, as simple as.

Those Banyoro or Bakiga women and men who dress in a kiganda way and speak luganda on their weddings are promoting nationhood indirectly. Nationhood usually involves some combination of a national language, diet, dress, religion, physical appearance, etc. If somebody’s Swedish, the safe bet is that he’s a blond Lutheran who’s eaten lutefisk, and if he’s Italian, I’d guess he’s Catholic, brunette, and eats pasta. If he is British, he should somehow like fish and chips. You don’t have to be a Muganda to speak the Luganda language, eat Baganda food, and wear Baganda fashions.

We missed a chance of adopting English as the official language of East Africa and instead went for Swahilli but all these things are reversible if people can see these things clearly without bringing a lot of tribal pride or prejudice in it. Please let us keep English as Uganda’s official language and promote Luganda as the national language. Whatever bad policies the current government came up with on this issue can be changed by the will of the people. So the matter is still in your hands.
Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

United Kingdom

I know some Ugandans still love late Obote and UPC but the continued existence of UPC as a political party is big political capital for president Museveni. He will keep reminding Ugandans how he fought Obote’s dictatorship and so on. Ugandans need to be released from the terror prison called UPC. If we can get rid of UPC which looks impossible at the moment but it is possible, then Ugandans will find themselves in a less confusing environment that allows them to think properly. When UPC comes out to say anything on Buganda publicly, their speeches produces ‘net political profit’ for Museveni. According to Professor Mazrui, it was Obote who did not want the body of Sekabaka to return to Uganda because he thought it will arise the 1966 intafida. The continued existence of Uganda house in Kampala(Buganda) is like a  Political Gross Domestic Product(GDP) for Museveni. UPC is mentioned several times in Museveni’s speeches and books because it is capital.

How can UPC disappear as a party? It can if the Ugandans in the north and East stop looking at it as a party that will solve their problems. If UPC’s support in the north is taken away, then what will be left of the party will be ‘Uganda House’ and other buildings. There are still question marks on Uganda house as it was allegedly built using Tax payers’ money. So probably one day some body from UPC will come out with evidence that will put this case to bed. Anybody who builds something out of tax payers’ money has got a case to answer. Like they say: ‘omusango teguvunda’. Even the current ‘royals’ will feel the pinch when things turn upside down.

The current ‘royal’ family would not be in place if Muzeyi Obote had not messed things up. He started nepotism and Museveni copied him. Whatever evil thing Museveni is doing right now, he learnt it from late Obote. What hurts some of us is when some people keep praising this man and wish to use his name for their political capital. That’s when it becomes our duty as patriots to tell Ugandans what UPC and Obote did. Does this make us being stuck in the past? No.

To be honest, if there is a way UPC can disappear off the current political map of Uganda, it would be easy for Ugandans to unite against Museveni and other future political evils.I will expand on this when I get a chance because we need to create a better environment that can unite all Ugandans and we can’t do it when there is still a party called UPC. At least, let them change their name to something else.

As for CP, it was started by Mayanja Nkanji before 1980 elections  but Baganda had had enough of Mayanja Nkanji. He was very instrumental in persuading Mengo and Kabaka to go into deals with bwana Obote- DEALS which did not do anything good for Buganda. So Baganda never forgave him and that is why CP never had too much effect on the 1980 elections. If CP had been started by someone neutral, probably the situation would have turned out differently. CP was an organisation started by a Muganda but it is not a Buganda organisation as you stated. If CP had picked up in high gear during the 1980 elections, DP will be weak by now in the central region because there were both fighting for the same voters

Dear readers,

I have worked with homos and these guys have failed to convince anyone that they have got a different body from ours. So you can understand why I’m as rigid about this as you called it. There is no conclusive scientific evidence explaining homosexuality.

Homosexuality used to be treated as a mental illness in the USA and Britain throughout the 1970s and 1980s and doctors used to use a method called “aversion” therapy to help these people. The World Health Organization only removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1992 even Museveni was already strengthening his position in power. So you can understand why even the white people were so rigid about this ‘LIFE STYLE’ till when it got out of control. We should not let this situation get out of control in Uganda or Africa.

 Secondly, there is a big difference between religion, race and homosexuality, so some people’s  desire to equate them just does not work. Using their logic we will end up allowing paedophiles and rapists the same rights as homos.

Obviously I’m not in favour of ostracizing homos, demeaning them and driving them to suicide BUT I want them to accept that they have got some sort of sexual dysfunction and need our help to correct it rather than asking for the same legal rights as normal people. Homosexuality international groups are now pouring money into Africa because they know that being poor is the biggest sin any human being can commit. When you are poor, you are always vulnerable to all sorts of evils. They must be stopped using all means.

 All religions are very clear on the issue of homosexuality.For instance, if you are a Christian and you believe in the bible, it is very clear on the issue of homosexuality. Actually, even African cultures are very clear on homosexuality. It is anti cultural and anti religious. Bible states it clearly and unambiguously when it comes to this sick ‘life style’.
 
It begins in Leviticus 18:22 (KJV): “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” That seems pretty clear to me. The chapter goes on to state that people who commit these acts, and others God considers abominations, causes the land itself to be defiled.

Then, in the New Testament, Paul writes in Romans 1:22-27: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Our people here need to know that homos are committing a sin by doing what they are doing. We should not legislate these ‘sins’.

Abbey

Dear Ugandans,

The government must not destroy Jinja Road cemeteries because they want to construct new business buildings.Graves are almost in all cities in the world. In the USA, Nevada has got old cemeteries and graveyards that have become tourist attractions.  Many older cemeteries in Nevada have tour guides or park rangers on hand to provide details. Washington DC is another one where people tour some Civil War battlefields and cemeteries.. While in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans is a city where the dead, for centuries, have had to be buried in above-ground structures because the water is so close to the surface of this sinking city. If coffins are put in the ground, they will rise to the surface as the underground water pushes them up. We all watched these scenes during some Tsunami called Katrina when Bush was touring the city.

Anybody who attempts to destroy cemeteries is condemned world wide. France was the first to be condemned the time when they used to burn synagogues, terrorize Jews, profane their cemeteries. Jews also didn’t learn from their historical pain they suffered under the French and Russians as they also bombed 5 of the Palestine cemeteries in Gaza in 2009. Brother Saddam Hussein was another one that was also condemned when he destroyed Kurdish villages and cemeteries in 1987.

In Islam, the religion I follow, the dead and their wishes MUST be respected. That’s why caliphate Ali had to be buried in the now modern Iraqi city of Najaf because that’s what he wanted. Najaf is now considered so sacred by the Shiite Muslims. Ali was Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, adopted son, and son-in-law. He was killed in a mosque at Kufa, approximately 6 miles from Najaf. Prophet Abraham also visited Najaf while still alive and stated that those buried in Najaf would be guaranteed entry to paradise. So Ali had requested that, when he died, he be buried not in his capital of Kufa but rather in neighbouring Najaf.

In addition to Ali’s tomb, the Najaf city also boasts one of the world’s largest cemeteries, the Wadi-us-Salaam (” Valley of Peace “). Several Shiite prophets are buried there, and some believe that Ali himself endorsed the site as part of heaven. Shiites from around the world long to be buried there.

In 2004, Fallujah residents in Iraq decided to bury their dead in the city’s football stadium since cemeteries on the city’s edge could not be reached. This is the time when Bush and USA were relentlessly bombing them.

We are still a poor country and therefore we should not pay or lease for plots where we are buried as is the case in England.So , the dead should be buried where they wish and their wishes must be respected by the state. Well, Obote wanted to be buried in Uganda and he got his wish. Why not us? We are all going to die some day and personally wish to be buried anywhere near the city where Muslims and my kids can easily access my grave to pray for me. I hope to organise this when I’m still alive inishallah(God willing). I pray that nobody plays around with shifting my grave mbu I’m near the city.

Byebyo ebyange

Abbey.K.Semuwemba

Dear Ochieno,

You are very good at starting political debates  with the following words: ‘ the next Upc government’ and i would like to tell you that  the ‘” next UPC government ” mantra is not selling to some of us when the historical UPC image has not been shade off in any way.
Before independence, the UPC, by virtue of its non-Baganda domination, was assured of support outside Buganda—and not because it had a party organization which could deliver the votes but because the rest of Uganda hated Buganda at the time. It used the tribal divisions to accumulate support for itself outside Buganda. It’s not that I blame Obote for using tribalism to his advantage because afterall, several politicians including Beti Kamya and Museveni are using it to get keep themselves in power. The moral principal here is that it is wrong and Obote should have done better.

 After independence, when the elections to the national assembly were held, UPC faced no rivalry outside Buganda. For instance, In Lango, Obote’s home district,UPC held all but one of the council seats, UPC was 100% in the district council of Bunyoro who hated Buganda so much,……….

In 1962 -1966 period, although each of the legislators was known in his local area, his popularity rested on the tribal identification tag attaching to him rather than on any sustained contact of a political nature developed between him, and the people of his area. In other words, they had no local base of power. Local power rested in the hands of politicians who were active in district government.

By 1962 the UPC was able to establish itself as a party capable of reaching a compromise with Baganda by using the KY rope or alliance to reach them. UPC itself did not have a lot of confidence in its party officials and that is why they fronted a few for elections. For instance, the 139 candidates put up by the UPC for the 1962 elections to the National Assembly included 47 teachers, 30 business traders, 16 fanners, 8 advocates, 3 doctors,5 clerks, 4 journalists, 6 co-operative officials, 2 engineers and only 6 party officials

The UPC was able to consolidate its position only after bringing the conflict within the traditional order of Buganda to a violent and decisive end in 1966 with the aid of Amin and the military. Amin was a UPC through and through.

In one sense, the central government was a bit inclusive because almost other tribes including the baganda were represented, but the people wielding real power were northerners. In some cases, as in that of Kigezi, UPC leaders who occupied ministerial positions at the centre were far less powerful than the Ceremonial Head or Secretary-General who was in a position to develop personal bases of power within the district

After 1967, Obote increased his power tremendously. The 1967 Constitution was designed to get rid of feudal rule at the sub-national levels of government by increasing the powers of the District Commissioner, who now became the effective instrument of the central government policies in the district, and the removal of outmoded offices at the local level. Chiefs and ministerial figureheads at the district headquarters were removed. Obote also increased his powers so much as a president

Finally let us examine Obote’s CV before he became the president of Uganda and see if it makes anyone feel any butterflies:

1.    expelled from Makerere university after the 1^st year

2.    apprenticeship in Kenya trade union politics (of little direct relevance to the political situation in Uganda)

3.    A spell as Chairman of the Lango District Council before being elected to the Legco in 1958. Lango is not a populous district, and though his popularity in that district was built up soon after his entry into politics upon his return to Uganda, his power stemmed from the influence wielded by his clan rather than from any mass organization he was able to create there.

 That was summarily his CV before he became the leader of UPC and eventually the prime minister of Uganda in 1962.

Byebyo Ebyange

Abbey

Dear readers,

I would like to make a few comments and probably my last about this issue.

1. Please I would like those who are Banubi by tribe to explain to the members what they understand by a Ugandan Nubian since this is just a debate. Brother Ahmed Katerega and I have heard our say on the issue and I think it will only be fair if they give us their version about this issue.
2. Like I said, up to now I don’t know why the colonialists settled on calling the Sudanese who migrated to Uganda, under the watchful eye of captain Lugard,Nubians, because the whole term meant a mixture of different tribes that went through a certain procedure to become abanubi as I explained earlier on. Again, how can we compare the Nubians in Uganda with the true Nubians of upper Egypt, northern Sudan and the people residing in Nuba Hills in sudan.

1. Hate-Love relationship between Nubians or Sudanese as they were called then and Buganda:

• In 1893 when the Baganda Muslims were dissatisfied with the British, the Sudanese or Nubians supported the former( Muslims)  out of Muslim brotherhood. But the British acted swiftly to break this alliance by disarming all the Sudanese in Buganda and also deported their leader back to Sudan.
• Nubians initially did not want to be part of Buganda.They wanted to be independent of Buganda yet Bombo where the majority were staying had become part of Buganda’s crown land.For instance, at one time 50 Nubians refused to pay tax to the king of Buganda and as a result 4 of their leaders were arrested.The fact was that the Nubians did not want to go back to Sudan but at the same time they wanted to be independent of Buganda.BUT In the end, they accepted to be part of Buganda

1. OLUNUBI spoken by the Banubi in Uganda as a language is some kind of modified Arabic and all the original speakers served under Gordon, Samuel Baker and Emin Pasha.The numerals are in Arabic.
2. A muganda Muslim is not a Nubian and i think i explained this already. Just read the following links to follow all the details so far discussed on this issue:

http://semuwemba.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/who-is-a-nubian/

http://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/where-did-the-nubians-in-uganda-come-from/

6. Ahmed Katerega was also right about some Nubians in Kenya. The first Kenyan police was composed of mostly Nubians.In Uganda, the British intergrated them into the army after using them to fight in Bunyoro.

7. It is also a fact that most of the Nubians came to permanently stay in Uganda under Lugard Fredrick in 1891. Ahmed Katerega is also right that the original Nubians and their true ancestors may all be dead. What we have got now in Uganda is ‘diluted Banubi’ following the Nubian culture, religion(Islam) and dress.

I think the true or ‘CONCENTRATED Nubians’  lived in the north of Khartoum, up to the border with Egypt. While Nubian males here spoke Nubian languages at home, they tended to have a strong command of Arabic since they came from communities in which economically motivated migration to Egypt, and later to Khartoum and other Sudanese towns, was common. Most of the tribes in northern sudan(Darfurians, Nubians, Beja and Beni Amer) are all Muslims: the majority of Nuba are Muslims though their predescors were christians. The last Christian king of Nubia came to the throne early in the fourteenth century and was succeeded by a series of Moslem puppet kings imposed by the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt. They(xtian nubians) used to put black crosses on their foreheads.Nubian king Silko was the first Christian king.

For the sake of unity and promoting the spirit of feeling ‘Ugandan’, i suggest that we bury all this historical nonsense and tribal pride and accept the way things are. Having a Nubian as a Muslim brother is more important to me than how he or she came to be called a Nubian.

Byebyo ebyange

Abbey Semuwemba

Nubians started as a colonial army in Uganda recruited in the upper Nile region(South Sudan) by Emin Pasha before they were integrated into the civilian communities in Uganda.This happened way before the Mahdist rebellion in 1882.But they later qualified as a tribe since they developed a culture,language and religion. The original Nubians used to be called SUDANESE and were immigrants into Uganda who got  integrated into the Uganda society as like any other immigrants.

They came as mercenaries to Uganda to fight alongside the British in Uganda and all the original Nubians were Muslims. The Nubian language is a variat of the Arabic.Islam was used as a determinant to recruit the tribes in the Nile region which some scholars came to call NUBINISATION. Emin Pasha Himself later converted to Islam.

Lugard hired or used the Nubians in 1891 to bring the whole of Uganda under British control.They were called ‘SUDANESE’ at that time when they entered into all sorts of agreements with Lugard.They were specifically used by the British to fight the Banyoro who had resisted the British rule. Majority of them eventually settled in Buganda where they were already military barracks particulalry in Bombo(Buganda) and some later intergrated into the east african army called King’s African Rifles in 1901. They contributed a lot to the first world war.

Eventually, land was given to them in Bombo under the Buganda Land Law of 1908.Other Numbians were settled in different parts of the country especially the north. Those who settled in Bombo became land owners under the Buganda government.They accepted to be intergrated into the Buganda system and pay allegiance to the Kabaka of Buganda. A nubian exheadman was appointed a gombolora chief and they had to pay tax to the Buganda government.

On that background, a muganda who converts to Islam is not a ‘Nubian’ though Muslim Baganda lived a ‘i love and i hate you’ relationship with the Banubi before the Nubian question was setlled by the British. To be honest, im still not sure whether to call BANUBI a tribe on its own because these were a mixture of different tribes. Its like calling the BASWAHILLI or BAKYOTALA a tribe on its own. Both these groups are identified with Islam. Most of the Kakwas, Luguburas,……. who converted to Islam as explained above came to called the NUBIANS. Some Nyoros were also Nubinised after the Nubians helped the British to defeat the Banyoro. I think this is how one of the ways how some Banyoro became Muslims. As for Amin and Kakwas, they are found in both Sudan and Uganda.

Becoming a politician is not inborn or prophetic as in like Jesus or Muhammad born with unique features of prophecy. Anybody can become a politician if the situation warrants one to become one. Kazini was teacher but he has died a military officer. Late Kiggundu Sulaiman was a banker and researcher but he died a politician.The current chairman of the electoral commission,Dr.Badru Kiggundu was an academician in USA and later in Makerere university but now he is fully in politics.

Let me go back to the gist of this debate which is Muslims and how we have been marginalised politically in Uganda.During Iddil Amin,Uganda was admited as an islamic country at a conference in Lahore, pakistan in 1974 but Amin was just day dreaming. According to the 1958 consensus, i think muslims were not more than 5%. Because we are a minority, we need catholics and protestants at our side when making political decisons.This means that a muslim president or Vice president can act as a bridge between different religions in Uganda and does not need to turn Uganda into an Islamic state.Obviously Amin later messed this up but it makes sense.

Muslims in general do not discriminate people based on religions. In Senegal, there was a catholic president called Leopold Senghol but the majority of the population that voted for him were Muslims.In Tanzania, Nyerere was a catholic but muslims loved him in big numbers. Museveni1(1986-1998) was also loved by majority of Muslims.

Religion, culture and politics are like three brothers competing with one another.The link between religion and politics in Uganda can be explained in the earlier relationship between Sudan and Uganda during the rise of the Mahdi, a force that overpowered the British and Egyptians and later led to what we call ‘NUBIANS’ in Uganda. When the Acholi, Lugabara, Kakwa, banyoro and others were converted to Islam, they became BANUBI. Amin was a kakwa muslim which makes him a Nubian is some way.

In the 1950s, religion played apart in party membership and formation. DP was mainly dominated by catholics and it had a catholic Lawyer in Kiwanuka as its first leader.DP was originally supposed to be called christian Democratic party before the word christain was omitted.It also used people like archbisjop of Lubaga, Joseph Kiwanuka, to tap into Baganda and catholic support during the elections. I think Kiwanuka died in 1966, the same year Obote abolished kingdoms.

Uganda National Congress(UNC) and later UPC were dominated by protestants. 75% of the UNC central committee came from King’s College Budo School, a protestant school.74% of their branch chairman were protestants.Islam was not an influence but it once acted as a unifying factor for protestants and catholics when the British and Arabs were fighthing for influence in Buganda. The British later sided with protestants as the formal ascendasy or official religion for Buganda.

For UPC, it benefited from the 1961 elections because of its protestant base. The greater the precentage of protestants in adistrict, the higher the vote for UPC though DP benifited from this more than UPC. Nevertherless,UPC tried to move away from religion in the 1962 elections.

Unlike Muslims, protestants have produced national and traditional leaders that have helped to unite them. Most of the Kabakas have been protestants including the current one. Obote was a protestant and presided over cabinets dominated by protestants. Catholics have also continued to be atleast well representated because they are the majority in Uganda.Muslims were also united when Amin was in power but it was short lived because since then we have not been having strong national charcaters to unite us. That’s why atleast we need a strong Muslim Vice president or prime minister as things stand and it could benefit all of us if we get a good candidate.

AbbeyKibirige Semuwemba

1.Obote 1 had only 2 Muslim ministers:Adoko Nekyon and Shaban Nkutu. Abu Mayanja was never in Obote 1’s cabinet. protestants were the majority in Obote 1 government though Obote 1 tried to move UPC away from the religion to make it a party for all.please find more details on the following UAH link:

http://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/829/

2. I also beg to disagree with some UPC supporters that Obote had the most ethnically balanced cabinets since baganda were less presented in Obote 2.To be fair, Museveni’s first cabinet was more balanced than anybody else.For more details about this visit the following links:

http://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/829/

http://semuwemba.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/fascism-in-upc-exposed/

3.Also please visit the following links to know why there was no Muslims in Obote 2 government:

http://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/why-there-was-no-muslims-in-obotes-1983-cabinet/

4. So was Dr. Obote a nationalist or tribalist, please vist the following link to give you more details:

http://ugandansatheart.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/was-drobote-tribalist-or-nationalist/

Byebyo munange

Abbey

Political murders happen all over the word including Uganda and in most cases such decisions are made by a few high profile people in the government. Obviously,brother Katerega as an NRM cadre will keep telling you otherwise. Kenya has got very good institutions such that even the murders of Tom Mboya in 1969 and J. M. Kariuki in 1975 did not cause any political instability.

Nevertheless,we can argumentatively make all murders happening between now and 2011 elections political murders because NRM/Museveni have lost popularity among the wanaichi but wishes to stay in power at all costs.There are several Ugandans who agree with Timothy Kalyegira’s version of Kazini’s death than those who look at it as a product of domestic violence. That’s why we need an independent comission of inquiry to investigate both Byran (Dr.Bukenya’s son) and Kazini’s death regardless of those who cheer brutality and murder of these NRM Generals.

Again I would like to say that all murders are about hate at some level. Even the guy who kills the cop trying to escape from a crime scene or riots- has hate in his heart. There must be a good reason why Mukyala Atim Dralu decided to bat Kazini’s head to death.At what point did she decide to kill him?

As part of the murder probe, police must investigate the friends of lady Atim to see if she had premeditated thoughts to murder the General.Her mobile phone must be in police safe custody by now to establish the people she has been in contact with for the last 6 months. MTN and other communication companies can help on this one.

The only problem is that government does not set commissions of enquiry for purposes of getting to the butoom of the matter. That’s why Kazini’s family and friends should do their own investigations.Most African governments are just corrupt. Anybody can murder anybody and get away with it.

When governments agree to set up official investigations, they usually hope to divert public criticism of human rights abuses. They hope either that public interest will have waned by the time the inquiry is complete or, better still, that the investigation will find in the government’s favour .

For instance,in 1986, the Museveni Government set up a Commission of Inquiry headed by Joseph Mulenga, to investigate human rights violations from the country’s independence in 1962 until it seized power. Up to now, we don’t know the conclusions and recommendations of the report. Yet if they had made everything public, probably some Ugandans, like Mr. Mulindwa Edward, would not have continued to accuse the NRA rebels of murdering people in Luwero and blame it on Obote 2 government. I think Mulenga later became our Attorney General in the same year. I wonder why he was given this post after heading such a sensitive enquiry.

Another example is when in June 1974, President Idi Amin Dada established a Commission of Inquiry chaired by an expatriate Pakistani judge,Justice Mohammed Saied, to look into the ‘disappearance’ of large numbers of Ugandans since his government came to power on 25 January 1971. But the report never came into public domain though the Commission concluded that the Public Safety Unit and the State Research Bureau, special security bodies set up by Amin, bore the main responsibility for the ‘disappearances’. It also criticized army officers for abuse of powers, as well as the activities of the military police and intelligence.

The bottom line here is that the currrent government should facilitate murder investigations into the country and reports from these enquiries should be made public.There is no point for the president to order for a probe into Bryan’s death and the public never gets to see anything in it.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

Kenya’s political stability rests on a balance within the military system, on the centralization of power within the state structure and on the neutralization of potential organized opposition.I dont know wther this is a good thing but atleast these guys are more stable than us. They have got less BIG BOYS in the army and executive than us.

The way Kenyata set up Kenya after independence has contributed to its stability.Moi weakened the government instiutions but Kibaki strengthened the principle of respect for institutions ever since he became a president.If he had not done this, probably the kikuyu and Luo would have finished each other indefinitely after the recently disputed presidential elctions.

Kenya has got more stable institutions than Uganda such that just a murder of a politician or army General cannot distabilise the government.Their army, for instance, is more stable than that of Uganda.A president cannot just use it anyhow as is the case in Uganda.I think this can be explained by the fact that Kenya has continued to embrace the British way of doing things up to now.

Until 1966 the army commander was a British officer. When he was replaced in December 1966 by Brigadier J. M. Ndolo(a LUO), the government continued to employ several British officers in advisory roles in each of the three battalions.

Again, unlike the Uganda army where since Obote 1 where the army was dominated by his tribesmate(the Langi and Acholi), in Kenya, ethnic balance within the army was addressed as soon as Kenyata took over as a means towards neutralizing the army politically. At independence the army was composed mainly of Kamba and Kalenjin tribesmen. After 1964 the government began recruting the Kikuyu into the army.On the otherhand,In Uganda, we have continued to have an army why people from one region are dominating. So, if a person like Salim Saleh or the president himself is murdered today, Uganda will be distabilised politically whether we like it or not.

Abbey

Like I promised Ugandans, we are going to get a detailed evidence of how the 1980 elections were rigged by UPC .I found this topic very interesting because whatever means UPC used to steal the 1980 elections are the same means NRMO are now using to steal the presidential elections in Uganda. It shows that Ugandan leaders never learn anything from history and that makes us doomed. So how did Obote’s UPC steal the 1980 elections?

 Obote while in exile in Tanzania wrote to Paul Muwanga ,who was then  a cabinet minister under Binayisa’s government, to do everything possible to get UPC back to power even if it meant staging a coup. The letter is a public document which can be seen by anybody in various textbooks and is dated 06/02/1980. Muwanga ,Rwakasisi and group implemented this plan in July 1980 by getting rid of president Binaisa through a ‘coup d’état’. Before the 1980 elections were held, Muwanga wrote to the UPC tabliqs to start laying grounds for the rigging of the 1980 general elections and they awarded him handsomely. Muwanga’s letter is also public property to those who want it.

 Another document written by Obote on 12/08/1980 reveals how Obote personally laid out the master plan as to how UPC would stop the election, or, if it was held, rig it, or seize power by military force if his party lost. This document is also public property if any one fancies it.

 The appointment of the Electoral Commission was also strongly part of the process of rigging the 1980 elections. First, the military commission was full of UPC people and there were the ones that appointed the Electoral Commission (EC)- just like the current EC is full of people loyal to NRMO and Museveni. The few voices in the military commission who were anti-Obote like Yoweri Museveni could not change anything. Secondly, the chairman of the electoral Commission appointed by Muwanga and group was a strong UPC cadre called Kosea S.M. Kikira. Furthermore, the EC was both partisan and incompetent. Most of the people appointed did not have any experience in election monitoring apart from the chairman himself.

 The military commission (MC) was the one that kept announcing the election programs instead of the EC as required by the constitution. The MC reached to the extent of dismissing the 14 DCs who had been appointed as Registration Returning officers by the EC, because they had refused to be comprised by UPC and Muwanga. Muwanga replaced them with 15 UPC members to pave a way for the rigging within the EC.

In addition, the MC interfered with the voter registration exercise such that a certain man who was acting as the UPM publicity secretary called George Grace Bakulu Mpagi, decided to challenge the irregularities in the courts of law. However, the judge came out with almost a similar ruling as the judges in the Besigye Vs Museveni cases of 2001 and 2006, when he said that everything was unlawful but his hands were tied.

The nomination exercise was also flawed and almost every electoral law was broken by the Muwanga and group for the sake of winning the 1980 elections. For example, polling stations in the 4 Kampala constituencies did not open until mid-day which broke the EC laws but was done with the intention of showing common wealth observers that the situation was the same all over the country where there were few observers.

As if that was not enough, UPC made violence and intimidation part of the rigging process just like we have got the Kakoza Mutale of NRMO. For instance, a rally organised by DP candidate,Mr.Anthony Ocaya was disrupted by the UPC gangs while he was campaigning in Gulu. Muwanga also wrote to the Kayihura of that time-directing him that potential DP candidates particularly: Martin Aliker , Hajji Akbar Nekyon, Yoweri Kyesimira and  James Kaigiriza, be banned from speaking at public meetings and rallies.

UPC did a lot of things to rig the 1980 elections but the most embarrassing one was when Paul Muwanga stopped the returning officers from announcing the election results and he directed he alone  was to announce the results and declare the elected candidates. He took over full control of the EC when he realised that UPC was losing to DP. Obote refutes this in his memoirs published in the monitor newspaper before his death but that was expected from a fulltime politician like him. Muwanga then released the doctored results after 18 hours to the EC whom he asked to announce them on the radio Uganda.

The question that bothers me from all this is that:’ why would Museveni employ the same tactics used by Obote to rig elections in 2001 and 2006 yet he was part of the MC and witnessed how the country went into decline after the rigging of the 1980 elections?’ Does this make Museveni a better politician than Obote or they are birds of the same feather.

Tulabye nyo banange.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

UK

1. It is true that USA has got no official language . It is again true that official languages are those designated by the law. However, a language can be considered to be de facto official language, meaning that although a language may have no official status in a particular country, it is the most commonly used language in that country and the one usually used in official settings. In other words, English is the de facto official language of the USA. It is considered the official language in practice if not in law. The US constitution and all federal legislation are also written in English. 30 of the US states already have got official languages. US naturalization laws standardize English.

2. It is also true that the US Senate voted in favour of making English the national language in 2006 according to the BBC(2006) (internet: available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4996512.stm ). 83% of the population of USA speak English. What I’m trying to say is that English is both the ‘official’ and ‘national’ language of USA whether it is endorsed by the law or not. It has got the hallmarks of both an official and national language of USA. That’s why I stated in my earlier message that Ugandans don’t need government legislation if they want to support Luganda as the national language. All they need is to promote it in their homes and the rest will just be a piece of cake.

3. Swahilli is already one of the official languages of Uganda, but like I stated, the decision was just political. Swahili does not qualify to be an official language of Uganda if we are to look at the basis of an official language. English is rightly the No 1 official language of Uganda and Kenya and I hope this status quo remains forever.

4. It is true that Swahili has got a bigger following in Sub Sahara Africa than Luganda. On the other hand, Luganda is more spoken than Swahili in Uganda.Luganda is also spreading very fast in Rwanda and south Sudan. If we are looking for something national, then Luganda fits the bill very well.

5. In terms of technological advancement, both Swahili and Luganda are being technologically promoted in East Africa and Uganda respectively. Last year (2008), African software and language experts launched a project to translate Mozilla’s Firefox web browser into the local Ugandan language of Luganda.

6. A-China will always be on board with or without our people learning Chinese languages. China itself is promoting English for strategic reasons. Angola and DRC are some of the African countries that have got China as a strong key economic partner but they have got Portuguese and French as their official languages respectively. Angola president’s second visit to China in five months in December 2008 was an example of the strong partnership that exists between the two countries. Angola is now China’s largest-supplier of crude oil. The DRC government has also signed a series of landmark asset-backed deals with China, totaling around US$9.25 billion.

B-However, Language is a concern for foreign patent applicants. Both Chinese and English are the official languages of the Hong Kong SAR and it is only necessary to provide limited information in Chinese. In Hong Kong, traditional characters are still used, but in mainland China an application for a patent must be in simplified Chinese characters. Further, while some patent offices allow applicants to file in their own language and submit translations later, the Chinese Patent Office does not allow this.

7. Fifty-five countries in the world have got English as their official language. So it’s not a delusional for any country to get on the band wagon anymore. So probably Rwanda is on the right track to promote English rather than the French. Again, the politics between the current Rwanda government and France are very complicated just like the tensions between Tutsi and Hutus. So I don’t want to read much into why Lunyarwanda did not directly replace French. Kagame is really making the right decisions so far. Remember Rwanda was the first to come up with the idea of free primary education before Uganda.

Abbey

While I would like to agree that regional development is very important and I support every one to develop their regions, I can’t see how this can affect negatively the development of a capital city or commercial city such as Kampala. Kampala is apparently so jammed because there is nothing like public transport in that country. Brother Alhajji Sebagala who is the current mayor of the city, had promised commuter buses or city buses in his manifesto but I have never personally seen them. Oh, I only saw one while I was waiting for a taxi on Entebbe road near the mosque at Najjannankumbi this year. I saw one heading to Entebbe but they aren’t many. I’m sure of this

The increasing number of car users in Kampala is causing a lot of problems for everybody in the city and that is why we need an immediate introduction of public transport like commuter trains. Nevertheless, the population in Kampala will just keep growing despite the developments taking place anywhere else in the country. For instance, the population of London has been increasing despite the fact that UK has now got other larger cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool with almost everything which is in London. These other cities some times act as the ‘magnets of investment’ for themselves and later on London thus creating some form of parasitic relationship among cities.

In a similar vein, preference for public transportation is higher when commuters believe that it is less environmentally damaging than the car. At the moment, all the environmental activists like Ken Lukyamuzi have kept quite about the increased use of cars in Kampala and how much these old cars are destroying the environment. When I was in Kampala, I was surprised to find out that almost all the people I considered friends were driving or owning cars and they could do anything to make sure that I see their cars, but some of their cars were too old to be on the road but nobody cared. There is a lot of ‘showing off’ with cars and I think I understand where it is coming from. Basically, the issue of the environment and cars needs to be addressed because it is a reality.

All in all, the population in Kampala is not gonna go anywhere because of the introduction of public means of transport such as trains. Kampala will keep growing and expanding- whether the central government takes over the city management or not, or whether Soroti or Gulu becomes another city or not.

Kampala is similar to India’s Mumbai in a lot of ways. Mumbai has grown from an island city – or rather a city that grew out of the joining together of seven islands – into a vast urban agglomeration .Similarly Kampala is a product of joining together several hills though some people want to extend its boundaries for reasons best known to themselves.

The growth of other cities in India has neither reduced the population of Mumbai nor affected its development negatively. By 1990, Mumbai was the world’s sixth most populous metropolitan centre and it also generates more wealth, both through production from its industrial base, now mainly on the outskirts of the city, and from its service sector, than many cities in India put together. The city produces 10 per cent of India’s industrial output, handles 60 per cent of the maritime trade, accounts for 33 per cent of total income tax collection and 60 per cent of customs duty, and has the single largest share of the services sector. It registered an employment growth of 59 per cent between 1971-91.

Unlike Kampala, Mumbai is served by five railway corridors. All originate in the south of the city and then branch out to the north and north-east. The government there encouraged people to use public transport to beat the traffic jam such that an incredible 88 per cent of all travel in Mumbai is by bus and rail. This statistic in itself illustrates the popularity and the necessity of the public transport system, particularly the railways.

The trains can carry four times the traffic load of city buses in terms of passenger kilometres of travel. The local trains carry 5.5 million passengers every day. Although the normal capacity of each train is 1,700, at peak hours more than 4,000 people crowd onto them. On a typical day, according to the Mumbai Metro Planning Group study, Western Railways operate 923 trains and Central Railways 1,072 trains. During the peak period between 9 and 11 am, 118,000 passengers.

Please let us encourage our governments to start investing heavily in public transport such as commuter trains in cities or linking up cities because it will help reduce the problems in Kampala. I remember listening to Dr. Besigye one time on KFM when he was promising Ugandans a modern railway system across the country if elected in power. How is wish we had put him in state house and then start asking him about this.

Byebyo banange

Abbey

Dear Ugandans,

Could some one do us a favour and send a detailed programe which was unveiled by the new Katikiro,J.B .Walusimbi. We would like to know how the growth of coffee in Buganda is going to be boosted. Uganda used to be a strong coffee grower and I remember my grandfather paying school fees for most of us because of coffee. New records show that Uganda’s Coffee exports jumped by 24% in 2007.  According to the Uganda’s Coffee Development Authority, statistics point to a 24% year-on-year (y/y) increase in the volume of coffee exported in 2007 and a further 36% increase in revenues. According to the statement, reported by Reuters, total export volume increased from 2.17 million bags in 2006 to 2.7 million bags, with total earnings increasing from US$21.6 million to US$29.5 million.
Uganda’s coffee exports have performed strongly through 2007 on the back of better disease control, stronger prices, and an initiative to double production by 2015. High global coffee prices have helped to drive growth in export earnings for the sector, but poor productivity, a constrained supply of inputs, and infrastructure bottlenecks continue to hamper growth.

Coffee remains Uganda’s main export and its revival is indeed good news for an ailing current-account deficit. The documented, continued rise in production and value through the season marks a strong comeback for the crop and will also, if sustained, benefit the rural population, which relies heavily on this sector. This proves that the government made a mistake of asking people to cut their coffee trees to promote non-traditional crops in the 1990s.

Indeed coffee has been one of the external conditions that have supported Uganda’s strong currency. The continued strength of the shilling is supported by projected stronger export growth, remittances, and a near-60% expected rise in transfers to non-governmental organizations. With strong increases in these foreign-exchange earners and drivers, total foreign-exchange earnings increased by 22% in 2007. Implicit in the finance minister’s budget is strong expected growth in export earnings. Indeed, total exports are expected to rise 21% from US$1.4 billion to US$1.7 billion supported by a 34% increase in coffee export revenues and a 31% increase in non-coffee exports such as cotton, tobacco, tea, soap, fish, and horticultural products. However, the Ugandan shilling experienced some pressure and depreciated through the end of December 2007, but remained fairly level through January 2008.

Kenya is one area that has hampered with regional trade and stability. Kenya’s stock market and exchange rate took a significant, with all financial markets closing early on 3 January 2008, and the postponement of the tea and coffee auctions. The World Bank estimates that around 25% of Uganda and Rwanda’s GDP relies on the trade running through the corridor to the port of Mombasa, with Burundi’s reliance climbing to 33% of GDP. However, if aid flows continue to increase Uganda will expect to receive sizable support, given its favourable position with the international donor community.

It is my hope therefore that the new Katikiro of Buganda strongly supports Coffee growth in his newly availed development program.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

United Kingdom

I can’t understand how some Ugandans can develop and enjoy themselves in a federal arrangement like Canada but they could not support it at home. Uganda is a country with different ethnicity and welcoming federalism will provide a viable framework for people who can live together even as they maintain their diversity. The need to reconcile diversity (ethnic, religious, linguistic or others), while maintaining national unity has prompted a growing number of states to adopt or take a serious look at a federal political system. Switzerland, Canada and India are all run on federalism. Spain adopted it in 1978 while Belgium welcomed it with open hands in 1993(when Museveni had been in power for almost 6 years).The EU is also moving towards some form of federalism. So is our East African Community. Zanzibar is already a ‘special status federal arrangement’ within East Africa Federation or Tanzania.

The idea of federalism involves two different trends and aims: a concentration of power at a level above that of the state in order to tackle big issues like competition, monetary equilibrium and international relations; and a greater autonomy at local levels (state, regions), enabling them to choose what suits them best in matters close to their communities’ lives. It also involves mechanisms of cooperation among the different levels, so that concentration at the higher level helps to empower the levels below.

Yes, the federalism in Uganda may not be at Canada or USA level but there but it is undeniable that federalism and evaluation have been good friends. For instance, the founding Fathers of USA federalism, the Federalists, created unity out of a multiplicity of small states. They recognised the importance of the sovereignty of their states, but they knew that they needed a ‘national’ government to preserve their liberty and democracy. Is this possible in Uganda? Yes. Do we need to support it as Ugandans? Yes

All these noises some Baganda are making about secession or Buganda getting a ‘special- status- arrangement- federo’ as it was in the 1962 constitution are all symptoms of a country yearning for federalism. It has happened in Canada where some Ugandans are living and that’s how Quebec came about. Asymmetrical federalism or ‘special status arrangement’ is one of the strategies adopted by federal systems to satisfy the demand of national groups for political and cultural autonomy. Canada was perhaps the first modern federation to take recourse to ‘special –status-arrangement-federo’ way back in 1867 before most of us were even born. This was intended to accommodate the aspirations of the French speaking majority in Quebec province. Is this possible in Uganda for the central government to give Buganda ‘special status’ federalism? Yes

There were a lot of Kyanjos, Beti Kamyas and Nambozes in Quebec in the 1960s who were asking for secession from Canada as some Baganda are now asking for Buganda secession. Two attempts by the Canada Government to meet these demands, through the Meech Lake Accord in 1987 and Charlottetown Accord in 1992, failed because of strong opposition from the English speaking majority in the rest of Canada. This was the background of the Quebec referendum of October 1995 on the question of separation from Canada. Like the earlier referendum of 1980, this was also defeated but by a margin of only 1 per cent. Since then, the issue of Quebec nationalism appears to have been put on hold.

Now, most of the Baganda are only asking for federalism or ‘special status’ arrangement federalism not secession. Why can’t the Uganda or Museveni government subject this to a referendum (if they are democratic as they claim) or just grant it to Buganda if the rest of the regions aren’t interested. As far as I know, the north,Busoga and Toro welcome federalism apart from Bunyoro which has embraced just regional tier arrangement as Mirima Ford enlightened recently. Both Uganda and Canada are from the common colonial past.

What happened in Canada can happen in Uganda. Both these countries are diverse and plural societies faced with demands from constituent parts for greater autonomy or self-determination. The only differences I see between Uganda and Canada but they are negligible are: Canada is a parliamentary and federal democracy while Uganda is not but that can be sorted out. Canada has got institutionalized judicial reviews on constitutional matters while Uganda’s judicial reviews are put in place when it is necessary. That’s why we keep calling the constitutional reviews commissions as sempebwa and Odoki.

Byebyo ebyange

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

As far as I know, Black mambas were in existence during Obote 2 as has been the case in Museveni’s government too . Whatever Obote did during his reign, Museveni can do better. When president Museveni sent the ‘black mambas’ in the case of Dr.Kiiza Besigye and other PRA suspects Vs the state of Uganda during the 2006 presidential elections , and black mambas surrounded the court, he was just polishing what he had been taught by his political master, Milton Obote.

Similarly,when Obote stole the 1980 elections just like most political thieves, he started manipulating the judiciary as a way of keeping himself in power. Lawyers who tried to represent people in courts were either intimidated, detained or killed. For example, Cprian Kawoya was abducted from the high court while the court was in session and later murdered by Obote’s ‘black mambas’. Other lawyers killed or tortured under similar circumstances include: Hon. George Bamuturaki, Gideon Mutanga, Sewava Sempala,e.t.c.

Another incident is when Barak Kirya was acquitted of treason charges in Dec 1984, he was rearrested in the same way Dr. Besigye was rearrested and taken back to Luzira Prison. Kirya just like Besigye was co-accused with others on treason charges( who included captain Mark Kodili, major Hussain Ada, Captain Sajjad Soori, Frank Kivumbi and James Balamu), who were also acquitted by the judge but the Obote’s ‘black mambas’ surrounded the court and these guys could not leave the court room. They were eventually forced out and taken back to Luzira prison.

So Ugandans, the black mambas you saw in 2006 who surrounded the high court did not start with president Museveni. He is doing exactly what Obote used to. We shall see all these things as we continue throughout this year and see how UPC and NRM are now similar in the way they approach national issues. The man (Matsiko) who wrote an article in the monitor about the similarities between NRMO and UPC did not just dream about these things. We have got UPC 111 now in Uganda.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

An article written in 2008 before the Buganda riots

Dear patriots,

Besigye has already proved himself more than any body else that he can take anything thrown at home. I can’t see General Mugisha Mutu, Mao Robert, Mr.Amanya Mushega or Otunnu Olara take up all this ‘Museveni’ heat when the kitchen gets hot. Mutu is the FDC national mobiliser and in that position he should have waged a lot of swords against the regime in power but he has not done enough. I don’t know whether this was a strategy agreed between him and Besigye as a way of keeping the limelight on the party president, but for me, he has been disappointing enough.Olara Otunnu is not known by majority of Ugandans despite his international profile but he can play a part in the 2011 elections.

Mutu and Mushega have not used the leverage they have got on president Museveni to shake him up. Just writing carefully selected words in the newspapers is not enough. Actually, Mr. Ruzindana has done more work for FDC than Mushega by keeping FDC in the media at least every month. Mr.Ruzindana and Ms.Anne Mugisha have done an incredible job. It’s not easy job to sit down and research what you are going to write week in and out. Most of Ruzindana’s articles are well researched and he deserves a pat at the back.

Besigye is such a very important figure for FDC and they should make sure that they keep him till when that party gets to a better level that allows the likes of Abdu Katuntu, Semujju Nganda, Wafula Oggutu, Otto and others to easily stand for party presidency or nominated for presidential candidate.

The first time I watched Dr.Besigye speak on TV was like listening to Adolf Hitler giving a speech. Besigye’s voice is so unique and it just takes your attention whether you like it or not. It’s unfortunate we can no longer listen to Monitor FM audios which used to be on their website. Hitler was  great in the way he could put the audience in his palms before he even starts a speech. Besigye can become a great leader if Ugandans in the army and elsewhere give him a chance to become the president of Uganda in 2011. Besigye is very charismatic and this can be seen in his speeches that we can watch today on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giEoqo5Wp_4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLD7YdOm0UU

It’s unfortunate that unlike Hitler, Besigye has not been able to inspire his followers to gladly follow him to their deaths. That’s why he has lost the likes of Beti Kamya and Michael Senyonjo to supposedly DP.

Besigye is a very dynamic and powerful public speaker, which is what got so many to follow him in both 2001 and 2006. I will give him credit for that and that’s about the best thing I can say about him. I believe that Besigye is a brilliant leader. He could have been one of the most important and glorious historical president if NRM had accepted defeat and not went behind the back door to rig the elections in 2006.
People some times attribute Besigye’s toughness in the speeches to the Personal hatred he has got against Museveni but I don’t think there is anything in it. The only hatred between these two people is political and not any personal feuds.

Some people have attributed the rise of Mao in the race as the ‘Obama’ of Uganda. There wont be any ‘Obama’ for Uganda in the next 15 years. Uganda is not like USA where you can become a president because you are genius or just charismatic or something. To become a Uganda president now, you first of all need the army and media behind you. You also need a strong network of people behind you within the army and the executive. If Uganda was like USA, then almost a half of UAH members are all capable of becoming presidents because we have got a lot of brilliant minds on that forum.

In a nutshell, it is my prayer that FDC stick with Besigye as the presidential candidate in 2011. The moment Besigye is out, that party can as well have a funeral. They need him for the time being till when they have sorted themselves out. Obviously, all NRMO people are working hard behind the scenes to see Besigye out and it will make their day if Besigye is not a presidential candidate anymore. Please stick with Besigye for just ONE MORE TIME.

Abbey

Dear people,

The government needs to do more to prepare us for the East African federation. One of the things they need to do is to sort out the acceptable system of governance in their own respective countries. Uganda should become a federal state before it even thinks of establishing itself as a power in the East Africa federation. I wrote about this issue some time two years ago in the Monitor newspaper and on UAH about why the EAC collapsed and how we can make the current East African federation work afterall Uganda,Kenya, Tanganyika and Zanzibar had developed common services and institutions since the 1920s.Matters such as posts and telecommunications, harbours, railways and currency were run jointly.

Nyerere was one of those that tried very hard to push this idea of East Africa federation without doing enough research on the subject and encouraging countries to sort out their houses first.He was even prepared to delay his country´s independence if the four countries of East Africa could come to independence at the same time and form a federation. But the whole thing failed lateron after independence during Amin’s reign because the leaders concerned never gave it a goood foundation.Mr..Kategeya should have people like Dan Nabudele on his team since the later already has enormous experience about this project. As a lawyer by profession,Nabudere was brought in by Nyerere to advise Zanzibar’s Karume on the draft submitted by Tanganyika.

Abbey

Dear readers,

Africa is all about culture and traditions. Politics in Africa are embedded in the cultural institutions. When religion was introduced on the scene in Africa, it also joined the equation of things. Therefore, anybody knocking on your door and starts telling you that you can separate culture and religion from politics, just send them away because they will be pulling a blanket over your eyes.

When UPC and Obote wanted to defeat DP and Kiwanuka in the 1960s, it is alleged that Obote organized several meetings with the representatives of the Kabaka. These representatives of the Kabaka clandestinely called themselves the KAKAMEGA CLUB OF BUGANDA and are the ones that had started up the KY party. S.K.Masembe Kabali who was the main founder of the KY party was himself not a member of the Kakamega club but he again had to consult with Mengo before he launched his party.

All political leaders in Uganda have made  it where they are with Mengo’s approval and this is a historical fact:

• Besigye or Mao will never be a president of Uganda without Buganda’s support.For instance, when Mao Knelt for Kabaka Mutebi while the king was touring Masaka, he scored more political points than somebody who held several rallies in Buganda villages in Masaka
• Obote would never have become a prime minister in 1962 and later a president of Uganda  without Buganda’s support.The KY-UPC alliance set the presidential foundation for him.
• KY would not have been a force in Uganda politics in 1961 without Mengo support.  When in May 1961, Masembe, a retired prison officer and wealthy land landowner, was planning to launch his KY party, he had to visit mengo for approval and the Kabaka advised him to  consult the friends in Kakamega club.

• DP’s Ben Kiwanuka would never have won the elections in March 1961 if it had not captured 20 of the 21 seats within the Buganda kingdom. Again Kiwanuka did not last long because he had no Mengo/Kabaka blessings.

• Museveni would never have become a president of Uganda  without Buganda’s support. Actually, if Buganda pulls a full plug on him in 2011, then he will just have to lead us by force. That is the truths.All NRM cadres know this and are monitoring the situation very critically. The recent Museveni press briefings published in the Bukedde Newspaper  about some updates on his dialogue with Kabaka was some form of a boost for NRM cadres. He threw them a life line to spread NRM evangilism in Buganda/

Buganda is not just a cultural kingdom despite those clauses in the 1995 constitution. Nobody should deceive you on this. Mengo remains a pure political center aleast for now. People don’t go there to learn how to speak Luganda; dance traditional dances  such as NANKASA or AMAGUNJU; or whatever one thinks is cultural in one’s mind. When Kabaka makes Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba one of his  ministers today, it means I’m going to Mengo to play Buganda politics because Mengo has always been political.

Similarly, FDC’s Dr. Besigye is tapping into mengo politics by sending his delegation there before he starts his Buganda tour. Besigye needs Mengo’s blessing by all means.If the people of Buganda give him their full blessings all the way till 2011, then he will be a few inches away from state house provided other factors remain constant.

Byebyo banange

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

I would like to thank all Ugandans who responded to my original article about sports in Uganda and I hope that the government listens to us and sort out the sports problems which are mainly caused by inadequate funding. Politicians only remember sports when it is putting them in the lime light. For instance, president Museveni ’stole the show’ when he hosted a function for the successful 2006 Commonwealth Games team in April 2006.

The government has remained detached from sports as far as I can remember. NCS is inadequately funded. The UOC is independent of government funds because it is funded by the Olympic solidarity. Only five athletic clubs are recognised in the country of almost 31 million people. Some Athletes decide not to return to Uganda when they go for training or conferences abroad because they see no future of sports in the country( as was the case in 1998 when two of them decided to remain in USA and sought asylum).

Organisations like The uganda Amateur Athletic Foundation(UAAF) are totally reliant on the poorly funded NCS though they sometimes get help from big compnaies such as MTN.

Football is the best sport in the world. For me, it’s my best entertainment at the moment and i’m happy that my team(Chelsea FC) are doing well in the premiership.

Back in Uganda, the Federation Uganda Football Association (FUFA) where my former headmaster, Hajji Abbasi Kawase Mukasa in an influence, is one of the most illequipped and corrupt organisations in the country. Football and other sports is a big force in schools like Kibuli S.S because the admnistration there has got a budget for sports and they put too much effort in it. Sadly,I hear that sports in Kibuli S.S have declined ever since Hajji Kawase Mukasa was replaced as Headmaster.

Big national clubs such as Villa, Express and KCC are mainly funded by their companies and not the government or NCS. For instance, KCC is funded by Kampala City Council while Maji FC is funded by National Water Company.

Some people have tried to ‘clean’ FUFA by forming pressure groups such as ‘Save Our Soccer’ but they have had little impact. Some time in 2005, FUFA had to be suspended by FIFA till when Elections were held and Lawrence Mulindwa was elected as the new FUFA boss. FUFA has not been able to maintain good coaches such that the national coach had to be sacked in 2006 and compesated to the tune of $3500. Sports minister then, Charles Bakkabulindi, oversaw everything.

The truth is that there is no adequate funds to pay professional footballers, referees, and sports workers. Sport is almost dead in Uganda and few people are bothered with it. As for Boxing, I think it is one of the least funded sport in Uganda at the moment. The Uganda Amateur Boxing Federation had to withdraw from the Kings Cup organized by the International Boxing Association because there was no money to fund the whole thing.

Let’s hope that the next government, probably Besigye’s FDC, will look into this issue and galvanize sports again in Uganda.

Byebyo ebyange

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba