Criticising govt is not engaging in politics

EDITOR—We wish to comment on your editorial of July 26 entitled “Mengo should stay out of politics”. We disagree that Buganda’s Mengo officials have engaged in any national politics. The New Vision stated three issues as campaigning for a federal system of governance, criticising the government and opposing the land Bill.

We will tackle one by one:

Buganda officials are not campaigning but expressing an institutional opinion of which both its officials and the state officials have sat on a round table to engage each other on the said opinion. The talks may have adjourned for some time now but expressing opinions continues.

We are surprised that according to The New Vision, criticising the government on various issues affecting the state amounts to engaging in national politics! Only an informed constitutional interpretation can convince us that this is the case. No wonder the Church of Uganda Archbishop Janan Luwum’s criticism of the state as a church leader cost him his life in 1977.

The New Vision stated that the Kabaka’s land was returned, but failed to note that whether enthroned or just an heir to the throne, the Kabaka carries a title on succession to the throne as the “Sabattaka”— the cultural
head and trustee of all land in Buganda Kingdom. Therefore any law touching on land and Buganda includes touching on the culture of Buganda. By opposing amendments to a land law, the institution is not engaging in politics.

It is a pity that Betty Nambooze as an individual is such a big problem to serve her king on royal duties. She has now been turned into a nationally famous woman!

Geofrey Bwanika
Chairman Mengo 1966 Massacre Victims’ Families Trust