Barely a day in office, Dr. Olara Otunnu has called for an independent investigation into the massacre of civilians in the Luweero Triangle during the 1980-86 bush war that brought President Museveni to power.

Such an investigation is as good as saying that his party, UPC, admits to a degree of blame for what went on in Luweero. I smell a sense of guilt on his part.

Why is he bringing this up as most urgent on his agenda as he seeks people’s mandate? The Luweero victims were not imbeciles and could differentiate between those who killed them and those who protected them and why.

Not long ago, the Luwero residents threatened to burn Dr Milton Obote’s coffin when his body was being transported to Akokoro for burial. Obote was Otunnu’s mentor.

The fact that 24 years have passed by since the UPC was thrown out of power does not mean that all those who witnessed the heinous crimes committed have all died.

It is sad that on the first day of assuming office Otunnu’s direct message is that he is going to reach out to Buganda. So he has started by making Buganda special and a special issue in his leadership.

My fellow Baganda need to watch the hand Otunnu is extending for reconciliation. The unfortunate marriage between Kabaka Yekka and UPC should never be forgotten.

Gorretti Namatovu
Kampala