Delay land bill, says Museveni
Feb 10, 2009
PRESIDENT YOWERI Museveni has temporarily stopped debate on the controversial Land Bill in Parliament to allow negotiations between the Government and Mengo.
By Henry Mukasa
PRESIDENT YOWERI Museveni has temporarily stopped debate on the controversial Land Bill in Parliament to allow negotiations between the Government and Mengo.
However, the President explained that the suspension was not caused by Buganda’s opposition against the Bill.
Museveni told journalists at State House, Nakasero yesterday that he had directed the Attorney General, Dr. Khiddu Makubuya and the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, to work with the Speaker, Edward Ssekandi, to delay the Bill’s second reading.
“Recently, I gave a directive that we delay for a short period the second reading of the Land Bill because the Katikkiro (premier of Buganda), J.B. Walusimbi, was in contact with me and we agreed that their approach of confrontation was not a good one and that we should instead work together,†Museveni said.
“Because of that spirit, we agreed that we delay the second reading while those people representing the traditional institution of Mengo raise some issues, if any. If Mengo people convince us that we change here and there, we shall see. If we also convince them that our line is the correct one, we shall move with them,†Museveni said.
When the Bill is read for the second time, the MPs start debating it. Voting on various clauses follows and the proposed amendments done. It is then read for the third time, passed by Parliament and forwarded to the President who signs it into law.
Museveni described as lies statements by Mengo officials, David Mpanga and Betty Nambooze, that the suspension of the debate meant that Mengo had forced the Government on its knees.
“They said that they had forced us to abandon the Land Bill. That is absolute rubbish,†Museveni commented.
Mengo says the new law is intended to grab Buganda land, while the Government argues that it would protect tenants from illegal evictions.
The President said they agreed with the Katikkiro that the Mengo-based CBS FM station stops its “lies and provocative statements.â€
“He (Katikkiro) also said there are some government people who make provocative statements against Mengo. I said I would talk to Movement people once I go to (the next) caucus meeting. There are some issues that I will communicate to government departments in a letter,†the President added.
Asked about last year’s planned meeting with the Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, the President said his interaction with the Katikkiro was part of the process.
“But I think it is a good idea for the Kabaka not to be involved. This is politics. For public relations, we can meet. I (however) have no problem with people he sends,†Museveni said.
He dismissed reports of a constitutional amendment that would allow a simple majority to decide the winner in presidential elections. He said in Uganda’s version of wrestling, the loser is determined by the thud with which he lands. “A president to rule Uganda must have the majority.â€
About the wrangles rocking the Muslim community, the President pledged to meet both sides to iron out their differences.
On clashes over the South Busoga forest reserve in Mayuge district, Museveni said he would solve the matter basing on a report on the value of conserving particular forests.
On the peace-keeping mission in Somalia, the President said UPDF was guarding four key areas; the port, airport, statehouse and the road from the airport. He said the solution to Somalia’s troubles was not in external forces but in the Somali people themselves. He said the UPDF was training a battalion of Somalis at Bihanga.
“We want to send another battalion to guard more areas,†he disclosed.
As to whether he had fallen out with the chairman of the African Union, Col. Muammar Gadaffi of Libya, Museveni said the integration of Africa was embedded in the NRM first Ten Point Programme.
He explained that the recent summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa only passed a resolution to form an authority not an African government.
On the issue of the renovation of the railway line to Kenya, Museveni said if the Rift Valley Company fails to improve the Uganda-Kenya railway line, Kenya and Uganda would take over its construction.
PRESIDENT YOWERI Museveni has temporarily stopped debate on the controversial Land Bill in Parliament to allow negotiations between the Government and Mengo.
However, the President explained that the suspension was not caused by Buganda’s opposition against the Bill.
Museveni told journalists at State House, Nakasero yesterday that he had directed the Attorney General, Dr. Khiddu Makubuya and the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, to work with the Speaker, Edward Ssekandi, to delay the Bill’s second reading.
“Recently, I gave a directive that we delay for a short period the second reading of the Land Bill because the Katikkiro (premier of Buganda), J.B. Walusimbi, was in contact with me and we agreed that their approach of confrontation was not a good one and that we should instead work together,†Museveni said.
“Because of that spirit, we agreed that we delay the second reading while those people representing the traditional institution of Mengo raise some issues, if any. If Mengo people convince us that we change here and there, we shall see. If we also convince them that our line is the correct one, we shall move with them,†Museveni said.
When the Bill is read for the second time, the MPs start debating it. Voting on various clauses follows and the proposed amendments done. It is then read for the third time, passed by Parliament and forwarded to the President who signs it into law.
Museveni described as lies statements by Mengo officials, David Mpanga and Betty Nambooze, that the suspension of the debate meant that Mengo had forced the Government on its knees.
“They said that they had forced us to abandon the Land Bill. That is absolute rubbish,†Museveni commented.
Mengo says the new law is intended to grab Buganda land, while the Government argues that it would protect tenants from illegal evictions.
The President said they agreed with the Katikkiro that the Mengo-based CBS FM station stops its “lies and provocative statements.â€
“He (Katikkiro) also said there are some government people who make provocative statements against Mengo. I said I would talk to Movement people once I go to (the next) caucus meeting. There are some issues that I will communicate to government departments in a letter,†the President added.
Asked about last year’s planned meeting with the Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, the President said his interaction with the Katikkiro was part of the process.
“But I think it is a good idea for the Kabaka not to be involved. This is politics. For public relations, we can meet. I (however) have no problem with people he sends,†Museveni said.
He dismissed reports of a constitutional amendment that would allow a simple majority to decide the winner in presidential elections. He said in Uganda’s version of wrestling, the loser is determined by the thud with which he lands. “A president to rule Uganda must have the majority.â€
About the wrangles rocking the Muslim community, the President pledged to meet both sides to iron out their differences.
On clashes over the South Busoga forest reserve in Mayuge district, Museveni said he would solve the matter basing on a report on the value of conserving particular forests.
On the peace-keeping mission in Somalia, the President said UPDF was guarding four key areas; the port, airport, statehouse and the road from the airport. He said the solution to Somalia’s troubles was not in external forces but in the Somali people themselves. He said the UPDF was training a battalion of Somalis at Bihanga.
“We want to send another battalion to guard more areas,†he disclosed.
As to whether he had fallen out with the chairman of the African Union, Col. Muammar Gadaffi of Libya, Museveni said the integration of Africa was embedded in the NRM first Ten Point Programme.
He explained that the recent summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa only passed a resolution to form an authority not an African government.
On the issue of the renovation of the railway line to Kenya, Museveni said if the Rift Valley Company fails to improve the Uganda-Kenya railway line, Kenya and Uganda would take over its construction.