Kyanjo sounds war drums over federo

Dec 19, 2009

MAKINDYE West MP, Hussein Kyanjo, has warned that the Baganda would take up arms if the Government refuses to adhere to democracy and the rule of law.

By Moses Mulondo

MAKINDYE West MP, Hussein Kyanjo, has warned that the Baganda would take up arms if the Government refuses to adhere to democracy and the rule of law.

He said democracy was the rule of the wishes of the majority and the majority of Ugandans want federalism.

“Museveni always said if a jigger is in the foot the best solution is to remove it. Some people in my constituency keep suggesting that if the Government has failed to adhere to democratic rules, we should fight them and overthrow them,” Kyanjo said.

He was addressing over 1,000 participants during the highly charged second Buganda conference at Hotel Africana on Thursday evening.

Calling for Buganda secession as an alternative to war, Kyanjo repeated that the NRM fought for democracy and that if it has failed to abide by the rules of the democratic game, they would resort to war.

“When you oppress people, you tempt them to resort to violence. We do not want to become like Somalia where violence is the order of the day. I want to be frank that if we fail to get power through democracy, we shall use force,” he said.

Earlier, Kyanjo clashed with Maj. Kakooza Mutale, who rubbished the conference, saying power cannot be discussed.

“How can someone come here and insult us that power is not discussed? Power belongs to the people. There is a difference between power and force. What your Government has is force, not power,” said Kyanjo.

Closing the conference, the Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, renewed his demand for federo, despite repeated warnings by President Yoweri Museveni that cultural leaders should stay out of politics.

“The findings of the Odoki Commission were that the majority of the people of Buganda and over 60% of the rest of Ugandans wanted federalism. This is the authentic voice of Ugandans. So why deny them that right?” the Kabaka said, attracting ululations.

He called for federalism not only for Buganda but for all parts of Uganda. “The 1962 Constitution had not fully addressed the federal question because the system had been denied to other parts of Uganda.”

He explained that by the time colonialists came to Uganda, there were established nations which, he said, must be respected.

Calling Buganda a multi-tribal nation, the Kabaka in an unusually long speech, said they welcomed and incorporated people from all backgrounds.

“We are people of one family. For peace and harmony, we need to talk to each other honestly and with mutual respect. This costs nothing. Members of our family have concerns which must be adhered to.”

Excitement and emotions ran so high that some of the participants kept chanting praises like nnyini nsi (owner of Buganda), landlord and nyanja temanyirwa (the one who can make you sink).

These emotions were fueled by both Hussein Kyanjo’s hard attacks on the NRM government and a cultural dance group, Tebifanana Abifuna.

The group, which greatly excited the congregation, sang advocacy songs like tulwanirira Buganda naye abalala batulyamu olukwe (we are fighting for Buganda but some are betraying us) and Akanyomonyomo zikusanje bwonyoma nnyinimu ng’ebibyo bibi (If you despise the king, then you have lost it).

Earlier, DP presidential candidate Norbert Mao, PPP party leader Bidandi Ssali and former judge, George Kanyeihamba, all declared their support for federo.

“Federalism will deal with corruption, restore the prestige of Government institutions and bring redress for imbalances in economic prosperity,” Mao said.

Kanyeihamba blasted powerful Baganda personalities who failed to defend the federal system of governance to protect their ‘status, survival and personal aggrandizement’.

In their resolution, the participants stressed that Buganda is not seeking special status but wants federalism for all Ugandans.

It also called for a convention for all the communities of Uganda to have dialogue on the federal system of government.

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