What does Buganda really want?
A powerful statement issued by a powerless leader. “ My kingdom has got no power. It only exists in name, but not in practice,†he said, while talking to his subjects.
By Joshua Kato
A powerful statement issued by a powerless leader. “ My kingdom has got no power. It only exists in name, but not in practice,†he said, while talking to his subjects.
The Kabaka did not name the boundaries of his powers. Omukama Gafabusa Iguru of Bunyoro echoed the same sentiments.
According to Chapter 16, Article 42(3) of the 1995 Constitution, any body while remaining a traditional leader shall not join or participate in partisan politics.
The status of traditional leaders in Uganda is the same as that in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and many other African countries.
Although the Kabaka is not directly involved in politics, he wields significant influence over the political happenings in the country.
“Every time there is an election, the support of the Kabaka is sought,â€says Katikiro Ssemogerere.
The kingdom has received numerous gifts from the central government and particularly from president Yoweri Museveni.
Colonel Kiiza Besigye, known to have been against the return of traditional rulers donated several hoes, pangas and wheelbarrows to the Mengo establishment during the heat of the 2001 elections.
This support is not only sought by presidential candidates, but also lower level politicians. For example it is common for aspiring members of parliament from Buganda to refer to themselves as Musajja Wakabaka(Kabaka’s man), in order to win more votes.
This goes down to Local Councils. Indeed, many of them are elected while ridding on the back of the Kabaka.
Certainly, the Kabaka does not want to be given powers of the judiciary or take over the role of parliament; neither does he want to own an army.
However, trouble is that many of the top officials in Mengo are vague about the real powers that the king is seeking. This goes down to most of his fewer subjects.
According Omutaka Ndugwa Ssemakula, the Kabaka needs powers over the land in order to control it effectively.
Of course the controversial issue of the 9,000 square miles of land remains.
He also needs to collect taxes in Buganda and channel the money to developmental projects without control by the central government.
“Money is authority,â€says Ssemakula. Kabaka lacks this authority because he does not collect taxes.
Mengo feels that once taxes start flowing in, the kingdom will able to develop all the vast pieces of land returned to it by the central government. It will also carry out more investments like CBS radio or even open up a television station from which to educate its citizens.
There are also plans to establish universities, schools and hospitals, which cannot take off due to lack of funds.
Even without government support, Mengo establishment has mobilized significant resources. For example, nearly 1 billion shillings was raised for the Kabaka’s wedding. Millions of shillings have been raised to fund the Kabaka’s Education Fund.
Through bulungi bwansi scheme, thousands of Baganda are involved in charity work. Each year, the commemoration of the coronation is funded with money raised by the Baganda.
“If traditional leaders want power, they should stand in elections and achieve this power, rather than getting it by right of birth,†says Edward Byamugisha, a political scientist.
He says this does not apply only to the kings, but also to their leadership. In Buganda, the MengoLukiiko is appointed rather than elected by the people of Buganda.
The chiefs are also appointed at the discretion of the Kabaka. Such counties include Bulemezi, Singo, Buddu, Kyadondo and Kyaggwe.
“You realize that some of the chiefs are not the most popular members of their areas . However, because they are nearer to Mengo, they become chiefs,†says Edward Ssendikadiwa.
Many people would not like to use their money to fund a traditional institution that wields very little power of the electorate.
“In the first place, they have to remember that their return was contentious. I don’t think they should ask for more,†Byamugisha says.
According to Ofwono Opondo, political power is not the problem for Buganda.
“ Does his Highness the Agakhan hold political power to do what he has achieved?†he asks. He says the Buganda problem is lack of planning.
Others think that including traditional leaders in partisan politics might fuel inter tribal clashes. Historically, nearly all the powerful kingdoms of Uganda have fought against each other.
Buganda fought with Bunyoro, Ankole and Busoga. The historical differences still exist today. An example of this is the court action by Bunyoro against Buganda.
A group of Baganda who call themselves Bazzukulu Babuganda don’t want even talks with the government. They say the kingdom might be compromised.
Yet it is such extremism that largely contributed to the destruction of the kingdom in 1966.
The Kabaka failed to reach a compromise with the central government and tried to order them to vacate Buganda land. The rest is history.
Nsubuga Nsambu says that the country should re-adopt the 1962 constitution. According to the 1962 Constitution, Buganda was given a Federal status within Uganda. Other areas were ruled under a unitary system.
Although there were reports that 65% of people outside Buganda wanted Federal, most politicians outside Buganda said it was not their idea of governance. “Not that federal is bad; we fear the domination of Buganda in a federal Uganda,†says a politician from eastern Uganda.
He says it would be unfair for Baganda to get federal, after the entire country has worked to develop it.
“Most parts of Buganda have not been developed by Buganda alone, but by all Ugandans. Are we going to get a share of this wealth when Buganda gets Federal?†he asks.
Eriya Kategaya, former ministertold CBS radio there was no problem, as long as the issue was properly discussed. “We should find out the benefits of Federal. What is the size of Uganda?†he said without elaboration.
According to W.B Kyijomanyi, an international researcher, Uganda can do much better under a federal state, than it is doing at the moment. He also thinks that Buganda can exist as a Federal state within a unitary system, if other areas don’t want federal.
Historically the United States of America Federal system was formed up by 13 independent and sovereign states after independence in 1776.
The federal also solved the problem of providing effective and responsive government for such a large country. But the USA is much bigger than Uganda, with a population 18 times higher.
Every time Buganda has come out to demand for more powers, it has ended in a near demise. When Kabaka Mwanga tried to oppose the whites, he was exiled to the Seychelles.
In 1953, Kabaka Muteesa 2 was exiled after he asked for more powers from the colonialists and in 1966, the kingdom was abolished after another struggle for political power.
“The struggle for political supremacy was the immediate cause of Buganda’s demise†as Sir Edward Muteesa 2 wrote in his book.
Yet, moderate Baganda like Colonel Kasirye Gwanga see talks as the best way forward.
“Let us talk to them. They will give us what we want,†Kasirye says.
Even then, any change to give more powers to the kingdom will have to go through a referendum
“It can take more than 5 years before the necessary amendments are carried out,†says Naava Nabagesera, a legal officer in the Presiden’s office.
She says the easiest thing the Baganda and other traditional leaders should do is to ask for funding from the central government.
Currently, the constitution says that government should give some funding to traditional leaders.
However, according to Peter Mayega, Youth minister at Mengo, this has never been implemented. “ Even the sh900 million that the President offered the kingdom in 2001 has never been delivered,†he says.
Kyijamanyi says to set up a proper federal system, it would need at least five years of gradual change.
“But of course time limits should be set up on this matter. Parliament should decide on say five years from the time when the federal resolution is passed in parliament,†he says.
A powerful statement issued by a powerless leader. “ My kingdom has got no power. It only exists in name, but not in practice,†he said, while talking to his subjects.
The Kabaka did not name the boundaries of his powers. Omukama Gafabusa Iguru of Bunyoro echoed the same sentiments.
According to Chapter 16, Article 42(3) of the 1995 Constitution, any body while remaining a traditional leader shall not join or participate in partisan politics.
The status of traditional leaders in Uganda is the same as that in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and many other African countries.
Although the Kabaka is not directly involved in politics, he wields significant influence over the political happenings in the country.
“Every time there is an election, the support of the Kabaka is sought,â€says Katikiro Ssemogerere.
The kingdom has received numerous gifts from the central government and particularly from president Yoweri Museveni.
Colonel Kiiza Besigye, known to have been against the return of traditional rulers donated several hoes, pangas and wheelbarrows to the Mengo establishment during the heat of the 2001 elections.
This support is not only sought by presidential candidates, but also lower level politicians. For example it is common for aspiring members of parliament from Buganda to refer to themselves as Musajja Wakabaka(Kabaka’s man), in order to win more votes.
This goes down to Local Councils. Indeed, many of them are elected while ridding on the back of the Kabaka.
Certainly, the Kabaka does not want to be given powers of the judiciary or take over the role of parliament; neither does he want to own an army.
However, trouble is that many of the top officials in Mengo are vague about the real powers that the king is seeking. This goes down to most of his fewer subjects.
According Omutaka Ndugwa Ssemakula, the Kabaka needs powers over the land in order to control it effectively.
Of course the controversial issue of the 9,000 square miles of land remains.
He also needs to collect taxes in Buganda and channel the money to developmental projects without control by the central government.
“Money is authority,â€says Ssemakula. Kabaka lacks this authority because he does not collect taxes.
Mengo feels that once taxes start flowing in, the kingdom will able to develop all the vast pieces of land returned to it by the central government. It will also carry out more investments like CBS radio or even open up a television station from which to educate its citizens.
There are also plans to establish universities, schools and hospitals, which cannot take off due to lack of funds.
Even without government support, Mengo establishment has mobilized significant resources. For example, nearly 1 billion shillings was raised for the Kabaka’s wedding. Millions of shillings have been raised to fund the Kabaka’s Education Fund.
Through bulungi bwansi scheme, thousands of Baganda are involved in charity work. Each year, the commemoration of the coronation is funded with money raised by the Baganda.
“If traditional leaders want power, they should stand in elections and achieve this power, rather than getting it by right of birth,†says Edward Byamugisha, a political scientist.
He says this does not apply only to the kings, but also to their leadership. In Buganda, the MengoLukiiko is appointed rather than elected by the people of Buganda.
The chiefs are also appointed at the discretion of the Kabaka. Such counties include Bulemezi, Singo, Buddu, Kyadondo and Kyaggwe.
“You realize that some of the chiefs are not the most popular members of their areas . However, because they are nearer to Mengo, they become chiefs,†says Edward Ssendikadiwa.
Many people would not like to use their money to fund a traditional institution that wields very little power of the electorate.
“In the first place, they have to remember that their return was contentious. I don’t think they should ask for more,†Byamugisha says.
According to Ofwono Opondo, political power is not the problem for Buganda.
“ Does his Highness the Agakhan hold political power to do what he has achieved?†he asks. He says the Buganda problem is lack of planning.
Others think that including traditional leaders in partisan politics might fuel inter tribal clashes. Historically, nearly all the powerful kingdoms of Uganda have fought against each other.
Buganda fought with Bunyoro, Ankole and Busoga. The historical differences still exist today. An example of this is the court action by Bunyoro against Buganda.
A group of Baganda who call themselves Bazzukulu Babuganda don’t want even talks with the government. They say the kingdom might be compromised.
Yet it is such extremism that largely contributed to the destruction of the kingdom in 1966.
The Kabaka failed to reach a compromise with the central government and tried to order them to vacate Buganda land. The rest is history.
Nsubuga Nsambu says that the country should re-adopt the 1962 constitution. According to the 1962 Constitution, Buganda was given a Federal status within Uganda. Other areas were ruled under a unitary system.
Although there were reports that 65% of people outside Buganda wanted Federal, most politicians outside Buganda said it was not their idea of governance. “Not that federal is bad; we fear the domination of Buganda in a federal Uganda,†says a politician from eastern Uganda.
He says it would be unfair for Baganda to get federal, after the entire country has worked to develop it.
“Most parts of Buganda have not been developed by Buganda alone, but by all Ugandans. Are we going to get a share of this wealth when Buganda gets Federal?†he asks.
Eriya Kategaya, former ministertold CBS radio there was no problem, as long as the issue was properly discussed. “We should find out the benefits of Federal. What is the size of Uganda?†he said without elaboration.
According to W.B Kyijomanyi, an international researcher, Uganda can do much better under a federal state, than it is doing at the moment. He also thinks that Buganda can exist as a Federal state within a unitary system, if other areas don’t want federal.
Historically the United States of America Federal system was formed up by 13 independent and sovereign states after independence in 1776.
The federal also solved the problem of providing effective and responsive government for such a large country. But the USA is much bigger than Uganda, with a population 18 times higher.
Every time Buganda has come out to demand for more powers, it has ended in a near demise. When Kabaka Mwanga tried to oppose the whites, he was exiled to the Seychelles.
In 1953, Kabaka Muteesa 2 was exiled after he asked for more powers from the colonialists and in 1966, the kingdom was abolished after another struggle for political power.
“The struggle for political supremacy was the immediate cause of Buganda’s demise†as Sir Edward Muteesa 2 wrote in his book.
Yet, moderate Baganda like Colonel Kasirye Gwanga see talks as the best way forward.
“Let us talk to them. They will give us what we want,†Kasirye says.
Even then, any change to give more powers to the kingdom will have to go through a referendum
“It can take more than 5 years before the necessary amendments are carried out,†says Naava Nabagesera, a legal officer in the Presiden’s office.
She says the easiest thing the Baganda and other traditional leaders should do is to ask for funding from the central government.
Currently, the constitution says that government should give some funding to traditional leaders.
However, according to Peter Mayega, Youth minister at Mengo, this has never been implemented. “ Even the sh900 million that the President offered the kingdom in 2001 has never been delivered,†he says.
Kyijamanyi says to set up a proper federal system, it would need at least five years of gradual change.
“But of course time limits should be set up on this matter. Parliament should decide on say five years from the time when the federal resolution is passed in parliament,†he says.