Muliika opposes Museveni, Kabaka talks

By Moses Mulondo

THE should be no private talks between President Yoweri Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi on Buganda Kingdom’s demands, former Katikkiro (premier) Daniel Muliika has said.

The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, on Tuesday told Parliament during the debate on the arrests of Mengo officials that Museveni was ready for talks with the Kabaka.

But addressing journalists yesterday at Christ the King Hall in Kampala, Muliika said it was dangerous for matters of national interest to be personalised.
“Negotiations should not be between the President and the Kabaka but between Baganda and other Ugandans,” Muliika stated.

He suggested that a national dialogue be established, where different cultural institutions would discuss their interests and demands.

“The Odoki commission found out that 95% Baganda want a federal system of governance, supported by 64% of other Ugandans. Such consultations should be the basis upon which federalism should be granted.”

Muliika said the talks also created a “wrong impression that Buganda was being favoured.”

He argued that it was better to build institutions and systems upon which good democratic governance would be based.

“The reason we have ineffective leadership in this country is because the spirit of institutionalism has been killed. Individuals have hijacked institutions and systems in directing the destiny of our country. This must come to an end.”

Muliika, who heads the National People’s Rights Association, a pressure group, also called for intensified civic education for good governance and development.

“We (the association) shall have to educate Ugandans on why and who to vote, what to expect from the people they vote and the general awareness of all their constitutional rights,” he said.
Muliika called press reports linking him to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party as false and baseless.

“You should stop associating me with the FDC. I have never been an FDC member and I don’t intend to be in the future.”