Miria’s visit to Mengo no boost
Feb 12, 2006
THE visit of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) chief and presidential candidate Mrs. Miria Kalule Obote to Bulange in Mengo, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom, was a politically significant event, which has serious implications. <br>The visit and the apology to the kingdom were shrewd and well adv
By John Kakande
THE visit of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) chief and presidential candidate Mrs. Miria Kalule Obote to Bulange in Mengo, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom, was a politically significant event, which has serious implications.
The visit and the apology to the kingdom were shrewd and well advised, though it is unlikely to have any impact on her electoral fortunes.
According to UPC insiders, Miria’s visit followed protracted behind-the-scenes discussions between the two parties — UPC and Mengo. Miria reportedly wanted to have audience with Kabaka Ronald Mutebi to tender her party’s apology for what the kingdom went through during the two UPC administrations (1962-71 and 1981-85).
It appears Miria was unable to convince Mengo to have direct audience with the Ssabasajja and settled for a meeting with the Katikkiro. The meeting was not publicised in advance probably because it could have sparked off a furore among the Baganda. It is also significant that it was Mengo which notified the press about Miria’s visit to Bulange. In effect Mengo did not want Miria’s visit to remain a secret.
Even though Miria did not get audience with the Kabaka, still it was a political breakthrough for her to be received at Bulange by Katikkiro Dan Muliika personally. Remember that a prominent member of the royal family was among the many Baganda who celebrated the demise of Miria’s husband a few months ago. Although the Kingdom establishment was evidently aloof as the country mourned Obote, there is no doubt that Mengo felt no remorse over the demise of the former president. This was quite understandable. Buganda bore the brunt of the Obote tyranny.
Obote’s first administration abolished the kingdoms and placed Buganda under a state of emergency for years. His second administration prosecuted a vicious counter-insurgency operation that claimed the lives of thousands of people in the region. Thus, it was an achievement for Miria Obote to be hosted by the Katikkiro at Bulange. However, the visit won’t change Miria’s political fortunes in Buganda. The hostility against UPC is quite strong and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The visit has also come at the wrong time. This being an election period, many people are likely to dismiss it as one of UPC’s campaign gimmicks intended to again hoodwink Buganda. The UPC detractor such as Hajji Abdu Nadduli would definitely remind the Baganda how Milton Obote and Sir Edward Mutesa struck a deal in 1962, which boomeranged in only two years. It is also quite unclear whether Miria’s apology to the Baganda had the express approval of the party’s entire leadership. Hitherto the party leadership has been adamant, not accepting any blame for the past turmoil. Although Miria Obote appears a moderate and more reconciliatory, her colleagues in UPC leadership remain apparently unapologetic.
For Mengo, hosting the UPC President at this election time was a risky political gamble. First, probably Mengo sought to show that it is prepared to work with everyone, including old enemies, in its quest for a federal status. Note that when Miria met the Katikkiro, she categorically expressed unequivocal support for federo, including letting the Kabaka to appoint the Katikkiro as the chief executive of the regional government. This signifies a fundamental change of position on the part of UPC, whose slogan has been “One country, One Parliament.â€
jkakande@newvision.co.ug
THE visit of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) chief and presidential candidate Mrs. Miria Kalule Obote to Bulange in Mengo, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom, was a politically significant event, which has serious implications.
The visit and the apology to the kingdom were shrewd and well advised, though it is unlikely to have any impact on her electoral fortunes.
According to UPC insiders, Miria’s visit followed protracted behind-the-scenes discussions between the two parties — UPC and Mengo. Miria reportedly wanted to have audience with Kabaka Ronald Mutebi to tender her party’s apology for what the kingdom went through during the two UPC administrations (1962-71 and 1981-85).
It appears Miria was unable to convince Mengo to have direct audience with the Ssabasajja and settled for a meeting with the Katikkiro. The meeting was not publicised in advance probably because it could have sparked off a furore among the Baganda. It is also significant that it was Mengo which notified the press about Miria’s visit to Bulange. In effect Mengo did not want Miria’s visit to remain a secret.
Even though Miria did not get audience with the Kabaka, still it was a political breakthrough for her to be received at Bulange by Katikkiro Dan Muliika personally. Remember that a prominent member of the royal family was among the many Baganda who celebrated the demise of Miria’s husband a few months ago. Although the Kingdom establishment was evidently aloof as the country mourned Obote, there is no doubt that Mengo felt no remorse over the demise of the former president. This was quite understandable. Buganda bore the brunt of the Obote tyranny.
Obote’s first administration abolished the kingdoms and placed Buganda under a state of emergency for years. His second administration prosecuted a vicious counter-insurgency operation that claimed the lives of thousands of people in the region. Thus, it was an achievement for Miria Obote to be hosted by the Katikkiro at Bulange. However, the visit won’t change Miria’s political fortunes in Buganda. The hostility against UPC is quite strong and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The visit has also come at the wrong time. This being an election period, many people are likely to dismiss it as one of UPC’s campaign gimmicks intended to again hoodwink Buganda. The UPC detractor such as Hajji Abdu Nadduli would definitely remind the Baganda how Milton Obote and Sir Edward Mutesa struck a deal in 1962, which boomeranged in only two years. It is also quite unclear whether Miria’s apology to the Baganda had the express approval of the party’s entire leadership. Hitherto the party leadership has been adamant, not accepting any blame for the past turmoil. Although Miria Obote appears a moderate and more reconciliatory, her colleagues in UPC leadership remain apparently unapologetic.
For Mengo, hosting the UPC President at this election time was a risky political gamble. First, probably Mengo sought to show that it is prepared to work with everyone, including old enemies, in its quest for a federal status. Note that when Miria met the Katikkiro, she categorically expressed unequivocal support for federo, including letting the Kabaka to appoint the Katikkiro as the chief executive of the regional government. This signifies a fundamental change of position on the part of UPC, whose slogan has been “One country, One Parliament.â€
jkakande@newvision.co.ug