Buganda’s legislators threaten boycott
Sep 09, 2009
BUGANDA MPs have given the Government 24 hours to announce a clear position on the visit of the Kabaka to Kayunga. They said they would boycott Parliament if the Government did not do so today.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
and Cyprian Musoke
BUGANDA MPs have given the Government 24 hours to announce a clear position on the visit of the Kabaka to Kayunga. They said they would boycott Parliament if the Government did not do so today.
The legislators unanimously issued the ultimatum after a caucus meeting at Parliament yesterday.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the MPs also demanded that the Government explains the security of the Kabaka amid what they called provocation from a minority section of Ugandans.
The caucus was chaired by Ssebuliba Mutumba (DP). “We have been watching every event on the visit of the Kabaka in disbelief,†said Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM), reading out the resolutions.
“We strongly condemn the action of the Police, and if the Government does not issue a statement on this matter by tomorrow (Wednesday), we shall boycott Parliament.â€
Ssekibubo appealed to all stakeholders to respect the Constitution in order to avoid anarchy that might result from “mishandling the situationâ€.
In the meantime, the MPs urged the Kabaka and Buganda kingdom to go ahead with the preparations for the tour.
Members of the ruling NRM who attended the caucus meeting were Sarah Nyombi, Rose Najjemba Muyinda, Ruth Nvumeta Kavuma, Umar Lule Mawiya, Peter Clever Mutuluza, Sylvia Namabidde, John Bosco Lubyayi, Bwerere Kasole Lwanga, William Nsubuga and Lubyayi Kisiki.
Opposition members present were Sam Njuba (FDC), Kaddu Mukasa, Erasmus Magulumali and Moses Kabusus (Independent), Matthias Nsubuga, Isa Kikungwe and Erias Lukwago (DP).
The Government Chief Whip, Daudi Migereko, told journalists later that the Government would issue a statement regarding the matter.
Earlier, in a brief debate in Parliament, Bukoto South MP Matthias Nsubuga said it was a matter of national importance that a constitutionally recognised king was denied access to part of Uganda.
The Constitution locates Kayunga in Buganda, he argued, asking the Government to explain why there was tension whenever the Kabaka visits one of his counties.
He castigated the Police for teargasing the Mengo officials, adding that the Kabaka is one of the people who participated in liberating Uganda from past oppressive regimes.
“If he could visit the war zones in 1985, how come when the NRM is in power it is unsafe for him to visit his counties?†he asked.
The Kabaka is scheduled to visit Bugerere in Kayunga on Saturday.
The Banyala, a minority group within the district, have opposed the visit. Their cultural leader, Sabanyala Baker Kimeze, said the Kabaka had not officially informed him about his visit. Mengo has vehemently dismissed the suggestion the Kabaka needs permission to visit.
On Monday, anti-riot Police fired teargas canisters at Mengo officials who had gone to Kayunga to prepare for the Kabaka’s visit. The Police also arrested five youth who were erecting stalls without permission. They were released yesterday.
Richard Mivule, the Central Region Police commander, said the youth were released on condition that they would not go back to the venue to construct stalls without Police permission. They were also cautioned not to engage in activities that threatened the security of the area.
“We have cautioned them to be calm because using force will not be the way to get what they want,†Mivule told journalists at Kayunga Police Station yesterday.
The five were Paul Kawuna, Ali Jjemba, Bashir Kimbowa and Mohamed Sserunjoji, all residents of Kayunga town council, as well as Hakim Ssali, resident in Ssuka.
Meanwhile, the Ssabanyala, Capt. Baker Kimeze, told The New Vision that he had camped in Galiraya sub-county, mobilising the Banyala and well-wishers to confront Mengo officials if they insist on the Kabaka’s visit.
“I have mobilised the Banyala within and outside Kayunga and other well-wishers to come to Ntenjeru which is going to be the battleground,†Kimeze said.
“Our opponents said they were mobilising one million people to come and attack us. Of course we cannot just look on. We have to defend ourselves.â€
In Kampala, the DP yesterday expressed support to the Kabaka’s plan.
Ssebaana Kizito, the DP party president, said Kayunga had experienced a spate of murders in connection with land ownership, which was high on the agenda of the Kabaka’s visit.
He also said they would mobilise the youth to attend the function and asked the Government not to interfere with the preparations.
“The Government is the one which is instigating violence. The Government is creating insecurity. If President Museveni is tired of kingdoms, let him abolish them,†Ssebaana said.
(Additional reporting by Charles Jjuuko and Charles Ariko)
and Cyprian Musoke
BUGANDA MPs have given the Government 24 hours to announce a clear position on the visit of the Kabaka to Kayunga. They said they would boycott Parliament if the Government did not do so today.
The legislators unanimously issued the ultimatum after a caucus meeting at Parliament yesterday.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the MPs also demanded that the Government explains the security of the Kabaka amid what they called provocation from a minority section of Ugandans.
The caucus was chaired by Ssebuliba Mutumba (DP). “We have been watching every event on the visit of the Kabaka in disbelief,†said Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM), reading out the resolutions.
“We strongly condemn the action of the Police, and if the Government does not issue a statement on this matter by tomorrow (Wednesday), we shall boycott Parliament.â€
Ssekibubo appealed to all stakeholders to respect the Constitution in order to avoid anarchy that might result from “mishandling the situationâ€.
In the meantime, the MPs urged the Kabaka and Buganda kingdom to go ahead with the preparations for the tour.
Members of the ruling NRM who attended the caucus meeting were Sarah Nyombi, Rose Najjemba Muyinda, Ruth Nvumeta Kavuma, Umar Lule Mawiya, Peter Clever Mutuluza, Sylvia Namabidde, John Bosco Lubyayi, Bwerere Kasole Lwanga, William Nsubuga and Lubyayi Kisiki.
Opposition members present were Sam Njuba (FDC), Kaddu Mukasa, Erasmus Magulumali and Moses Kabusus (Independent), Matthias Nsubuga, Isa Kikungwe and Erias Lukwago (DP).
The Government Chief Whip, Daudi Migereko, told journalists later that the Government would issue a statement regarding the matter.
Earlier, in a brief debate in Parliament, Bukoto South MP Matthias Nsubuga said it was a matter of national importance that a constitutionally recognised king was denied access to part of Uganda.
The Constitution locates Kayunga in Buganda, he argued, asking the Government to explain why there was tension whenever the Kabaka visits one of his counties.
He castigated the Police for teargasing the Mengo officials, adding that the Kabaka is one of the people who participated in liberating Uganda from past oppressive regimes.
“If he could visit the war zones in 1985, how come when the NRM is in power it is unsafe for him to visit his counties?†he asked.
The Kabaka is scheduled to visit Bugerere in Kayunga on Saturday.
The Banyala, a minority group within the district, have opposed the visit. Their cultural leader, Sabanyala Baker Kimeze, said the Kabaka had not officially informed him about his visit. Mengo has vehemently dismissed the suggestion the Kabaka needs permission to visit.
On Monday, anti-riot Police fired teargas canisters at Mengo officials who had gone to Kayunga to prepare for the Kabaka’s visit. The Police also arrested five youth who were erecting stalls without permission. They were released yesterday.
Richard Mivule, the Central Region Police commander, said the youth were released on condition that they would not go back to the venue to construct stalls without Police permission. They were also cautioned not to engage in activities that threatened the security of the area.
“We have cautioned them to be calm because using force will not be the way to get what they want,†Mivule told journalists at Kayunga Police Station yesterday.
The five were Paul Kawuna, Ali Jjemba, Bashir Kimbowa and Mohamed Sserunjoji, all residents of Kayunga town council, as well as Hakim Ssali, resident in Ssuka.
Meanwhile, the Ssabanyala, Capt. Baker Kimeze, told The New Vision that he had camped in Galiraya sub-county, mobilising the Banyala and well-wishers to confront Mengo officials if they insist on the Kabaka’s visit.
“I have mobilised the Banyala within and outside Kayunga and other well-wishers to come to Ntenjeru which is going to be the battleground,†Kimeze said.
“Our opponents said they were mobilising one million people to come and attack us. Of course we cannot just look on. We have to defend ourselves.â€
In Kampala, the DP yesterday expressed support to the Kabaka’s plan.
Ssebaana Kizito, the DP party president, said Kayunga had experienced a spate of murders in connection with land ownership, which was high on the agenda of the Kabaka’s visit.
He also said they would mobilise the youth to attend the function and asked the Government not to interfere with the preparations.
“The Government is the one which is instigating violence. The Government is creating insecurity. If President Museveni is tired of kingdoms, let him abolish them,†Ssebaana said.
(Additional reporting by Charles Jjuuko and Charles Ariko)