Buganda should learn from history

Sep 23, 2009

RIGHT from the colonial time to date Buganda has been an issue of discussion in Ugandan politics. In 1953, Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda rejected the British idea of the federation of East Africa.

Samuel Oduny

RIGHT from the colonial time to date Buganda has been an issue of discussion in Ugandan politics. In 1953, Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda rejected the British idea of the federation of East Africa.

The resistances of the federation by the Kabaka made the protectorate government send him into exile in Britain. The Kabaka returned soon after the Queen’s visit in 1954.

When the struggle for independence came, the Baganda were demanding an autonomous state when the rest of Ugandans were demanding independence. It became difficult for Ben Kiwanuka to run the Government in 1961 when the DP won the elections. This was because Buganda boycotted the election of 1961.

The British could not grant independence since part of Uganda did not take part in the elections. The British summoned Ugandan politicians to a meeting in London in September 1961, to prepare a constitution for Uganda if independence was to be granted. At this time Buganda formed Kabaka Yekka (KY) party for Baganda and had an alliance with the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party. However, some Baganda did not support of alliance.

The independence date was fixed for October 1962, but before that there was to be general elections. The elections were held in April 1962. UPC and KY won the election and Dr. Milton Obote became the executive prime minister and later parliament appointed Kabaka Edward Mutesa as president of Uganda in 1963.

The marriage between UPC and KY did not take long. After the lost counties (Buyaga and Bugangaizi) were given back to the Banyoro in a referendum, the relationship between UPC and KY became sour.

The Lukiiko resolved that the UPC government should remove its capital from Kampala in 1966. The decision taken by the Lukiiko angered the central government. Rioting by Baganda, demonstrations and attacks on police stations forced the government to use force to quell the riots. The army was ordered to invade the Lubiri.

When Amin toppled the Obote government in 1971, Baganda celebrated, and more so when Amin returned the remains of Sir Edward Mutesa to be buried home. Later Amin turned his fingers on them. Now the NRM government which reinstated the Buganda Kingdom is experiencing a sour relationship with the kingdom. Buganda should learn from history. Right from the colonial time to date Buganda has been an issue of discussion in Ugandan politics. In 1953, Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda rejected the British idea of the federation of East Africa.

The resistances of the federation by the Kabaka made the protectorate government send him into exile in Britain. The Kabaka returned soon after the Queen’s visit in 1954.

When the struggle for independence came, the Baganda were demanding an autonomous state when the rest of Ugandans were demanding independence. It became difficult for Ben Kiwanuka to run the Government in 1961 when the DP won the elections. This was because Buganda boycotted the election of 1961.

The British could not grant independence since part of Uganda did not take part in the elections.

The British summoned Ugandan politicians to a meeting in London in September 1961, to prepare a constitution for Uganda if independence was to be granted. At this time Buganda formed Kabaka Yekka (KY) party for Baganda and had an alliance with the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party. However, some Baganda did not support of alliance.

The independence date was fixed for October 1962, but before that there was to be general elections. The elections were held in April 1962. UPC and KY won the election and Dr. Milton Obote became the executive prime minister and later parliament appointed Kabaka Edward Mutesa as president of Uganda in 1963.

The marriage between UPC and KY did not take long. After the lost counties (Buyaga and Bugangaizi) were given back to the Banyoro in a referendum, the relationship between UPC and KY became sour.

The Lukiiko resolved that the UPC government should remove its capital from Kampala in 1966. The decision taken by the Lukiiko angered the central government. Rioting by Baganda, demonstrations and attacks on police stations forced the government to use force to quell the riots. The army was ordered to invade the Lubiri.

When Amin toppled the Obote government in 1971, Baganda celebrated, and more so when Amin returned the remains of Sir Edward Mutesa to be buried home. Later Amin turned his fingers on them. Now the NRM government which reinstated the Buganda Kingdom is experiencing a sour relationship with the kingdom. Buganda should learn from history.
The writer is a former UNLA soldier and an NRM activist in northern Uganda

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