VP Bukenya, Buganda MPs hold talks
Sep 22, 2009
BUGANDA MPs yesterday met behind closed doors over the the stand-off between the Government and Buganda Kingdom, which flared into violent riots in Kampala last week.
By Henry Mukasa
BUGANDA MPs yesterday met behind closed doors over the the stand-off between the Government and Buganda Kingdom, which flared into violent riots in Kampala last week.
The meeting, convened and chaired by Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, began at 11:00am and ended past 7:00pm without any resolution. The meeting will reconvene at an unnamed date to agree on the way forward.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi attended the meeting which took place at Bukenya’s Katomi Kingdom Hotel in Garuga on Entebbe Road.
Buganda caucus spokesperson Dr. Gordon Sematiko said the meeting was well attended, “with over 50% MPs presentâ€.
Opening the talks, Bukenya, the NRM chairman for Buganda region, highlighted the issues at stake before inviting members to make contributions, according to Sematiko.
“We discussed the regional tier system of government, the operationalising of Article 246 of the Constitution relating to traditional leaders and other developmental issues of Buganda,†Sematiko said in a telephone interview.
Riots rocked Kampala last week, killing at least 21 people, when the Police stopped the Buganda prime minister from going to Kayunga district to prepare for the Kabaka’s visit, citing security concerns.
Over 600 people were arrested and over 200 charged with rioting, illegal assembly and terrorism.
President Yoweri Museveni and the Kabaka have agreed to meet to iron out their differences.
Asked whether such a meeting was on the MPs’ agenda, Sematiko remarked: “All that was discussed. People talked in a free and candid atmosphere.â€
BUGANDA MPs yesterday met behind closed doors over the the stand-off between the Government and Buganda Kingdom, which flared into violent riots in Kampala last week.
The meeting, convened and chaired by Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, began at 11:00am and ended past 7:00pm without any resolution. The meeting will reconvene at an unnamed date to agree on the way forward.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi attended the meeting which took place at Bukenya’s Katomi Kingdom Hotel in Garuga on Entebbe Road.
Buganda caucus spokesperson Dr. Gordon Sematiko said the meeting was well attended, “with over 50% MPs presentâ€.
Opening the talks, Bukenya, the NRM chairman for Buganda region, highlighted the issues at stake before inviting members to make contributions, according to Sematiko.
“We discussed the regional tier system of government, the operationalising of Article 246 of the Constitution relating to traditional leaders and other developmental issues of Buganda,†Sematiko said in a telephone interview.
Riots rocked Kampala last week, killing at least 21 people, when the Police stopped the Buganda prime minister from going to Kayunga district to prepare for the Kabaka’s visit, citing security concerns.
Over 600 people were arrested and over 200 charged with rioting, illegal assembly and terrorism.
President Yoweri Museveni and the Kabaka have agreed to meet to iron out their differences.
Asked whether such a meeting was on the MPs’ agenda, Sematiko remarked: “All that was discussed. People talked in a free and candid atmosphere.â€