Bazzukulu have countered 'People Power'

Sep 27, 2018

They have stormed the whole of Uganda using a strategy of NRM’s zones.

OPINION

By Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi

Bazzukulu ba Museveni is a new moment of Ugandan patriots of all walks of life that has hit Uganda with storm. They want one thing. Victory for President Yoweri Museveni in 2021 general elections.

Bazzukulu is a Luganda word literally meaning grandchildren. Equally Jajja also means a grandparent. The relationship of a grandparent and grandchildren is fraternal. They refer to one another as equal brothers and sisters. Among the Baganda, the grand father is referred to as "jajja mwami" (husband) and the grandmother as "jajja mukyala (wife).

So both, the grandparents and grandchildren regard themselves as parents to their respective sons/fathers and daughters/mothers .So President Yoweri Museveni who celebrated his 74th birth day at State House Entebbe on Monday, is in the age bracket of grandparents (Jajja) and most Ugandans especially the youth who are estimated to be 85 percent, are all his Bazzukululu (grand children).

However both words; Jjajja and Bazzukulu, have other inner meanings. The Baganda society in particular and African in general, is divided between Abataka (clan leaders) and Bazzukulu (The laity). Bataka include even sub clan (siga) and lineage (mutuba) leaders. Elders in extended families (mpya). They are all refereed as "Bajjajjaffe Abataka." The rest of the clansmen are referred to by the bataka as "bazzukulu."

During the opening ceremony of the first session of Buganda Lukiiko after the coronation on Monday August 02nd 1993 at Bulange Mmengo, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ll, who had just been crowned at Naggalabi Buddo on Saturday July 31st, initiated President Yoweri Museveni of Basiita clan (Abente) who are traditional installers of traditional leaders in Great Lakes Region, as a Lineage Leader.

The recitation was done by Omutaka Katongole , the clan leader of Nte clan, and he promised to go to Kisozi in Gomba District to install him and plant a "mutuba" (fig tree), a symbol of a lineage leader. The President was glad in a traditional gown of Kabaka's officials and chiefs. Jajja, among the Bganda, and Africans in general is also spiritual.

Other than Katonda (God) whose shrine is at Butonda in Namakwa , Kyaggwe or Mukono District, the rest of the deities (lubaale) , fetishes (amayembe), spirits (emizimu) and "emisambwa" are referred as "Bajjajja" and even priests (bammandwa) are referred to as "bajjajja."So since Uganda is a secular state, even traditionalists refer to the Ssaabalwanyi, as their patron, and they always go to hills to pray for his long life the way they do for the Kabaka and other traditional leaders.

Then who are these "Bazzukulu of Museveni" who even registered themselves as a legal entity? These are NRM mobilizers who have all along been mobilizing for the President and other NRM flag bearers. Though disgruntled, they still have confidence in the President as the only person that can save Uganda from anarchy if People Power under Robert Kyagulanyi or Bobi Wine win elections.

When the President started tweetting regularly and issuing press releases, addressing them to Bazzukulu, especially after the kidnap of Susan Magara in February this year, and more so after Arua bye election saga, then the Bazzukulu organised themselves, started holding regular meetings and even ordered for black t shirts a symbol of Pan Africanism, with words "Tajja genda, (He is going no where). Over 2,000 in black T-shirts attended an international soccer march at Mandela Stadium Nambole where Uganda Cranes had a draw with Tanzania's Taifa Stars.

They have stormed the whole of Uganda using a strategy of NRM's zones; Kampala, Greater Mukono, Greater Mpigi, Greater Luwero, Greater, Masaka, Greater Mubende, Busoga, Bukedi, Elgon, Ankole, Kigezi, Rwenzori, Bunyoro, Acholi, Lango, West Nile and Karamoja distributing t shirts as symbol supporting President Museveni's bid for 2021 and according to reports, many people from both inside and outside NRM camp, are eager to identify with the move.

This has scared some leaders in both NRM and Opposition and some MPs, have started claiming to be the brains behind Bazzukulu, yet, the group is not attached to any MP or an official from NRM Secretariat. However they all believe that their patron is their Jajja. Their ideology is that of NRM; Patriotism or Nationalism, Pan Africanism, Democracy, and Social/Economic transformation.

On the bandwagon are disgruntled veterans, community and media mobilizers including those that speak on radio and TV talk shows and phone in programs, writers and even journalists and other professionals.These are the people that have now dominated airwaves and Social Media.

The writer is a journalist and is in charge of the media and Regional Coordinator for Central Region under Abazzukulu of Museveni

 

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