Binaisa defends Bunyoro on land
Jan 24, 2006
FORMER president Godfrey Binaisa has defended Bunyoro, saying it was unfairly treated by the British colonialists and Buganda kingdom<br>In a five-page memorandum presented to the commission of inquiry into Bunyoro issues on January 9, Binaisa said the British government conspired with the Baganda
By Carol Natukunda
FORMER president Godfrey Binaisa has defended Bunyoro, saying it was unfairly treated by the British colonialists and Buganda kingdom
In a five-page memorandum presented to the commission of inquiry into Bunyoro issues on January 9, Binaisa said the British government conspired with the Baganda to treat Bunyoro unfairly in the 1900 and 1933 agreements.
“The British took sides and acted in favour of the Baganda. The king of Bunyoro was allocated only 5sq. miles of land while the Baganda got about 8,000 sq.miles,†he said.
“This is where the Baganda also went wrong. They conspired with the British to snatch the land from Bunyoro. Instead of helping Banyoro to keep the British out, they helped them to defeat King Kabalega who was at the time as strong as Napoleon,†he added.
Sources said Binaisa discussed the memorandum for two hours to the probe team chaired by Ruth Mukama, at the Ministry of Works Training Institute at Kyambogo.
Binaisa said grievances still existed over the lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi.
“This continued political agitation would deter economic development. Banyoro regard land as their wealth, and this is the wealth worth keeping. Land is valuable in Africa,†he said.
He, however, blamed the Banyoro for not filing any case against the unfair treatment before Uganda’s independence.
FORMER president Godfrey Binaisa has defended Bunyoro, saying it was unfairly treated by the British colonialists and Buganda kingdom
In a five-page memorandum presented to the commission of inquiry into Bunyoro issues on January 9, Binaisa said the British government conspired with the Baganda to treat Bunyoro unfairly in the 1900 and 1933 agreements.
“The British took sides and acted in favour of the Baganda. The king of Bunyoro was allocated only 5sq. miles of land while the Baganda got about 8,000 sq.miles,†he said.
“This is where the Baganda also went wrong. They conspired with the British to snatch the land from Bunyoro. Instead of helping Banyoro to keep the British out, they helped them to defeat King Kabalega who was at the time as strong as Napoleon,†he added.
Sources said Binaisa discussed the memorandum for two hours to the probe team chaired by Ruth Mukama, at the Ministry of Works Training Institute at Kyambogo.
Binaisa said grievances still existed over the lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi.
“This continued political agitation would deter economic development. Banyoro regard land as their wealth, and this is the wealth worth keeping. Land is valuable in Africa,†he said.
He, however, blamed the Banyoro for not filing any case against the unfair treatment before Uganda’s independence.