Uganda halts Gadaffi meeting with Kings
Jan 12, 2009
THE Government has stopped a meeting of kings from the eastern Africa region that was due today at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, saying it contradicts the Constitution.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE Government has stopped a meeting of kings from the eastern Africa region that was due today at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, saying it contradicts the Constitution.
The ministry of Foreign affairs, in a statement issued yesterday, said the forum being organised by the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gadaffi, would engage traditional leaders in politics, which is unconstitutional.
About 200 kings, princes, sultans, sheikhs and traditional leaders were expected to attend the forum in Kampala, according to organisers.
“Given that the objectives of the said forum have to do with political issues relating to African integration and the creation of the African Union government, it would be a contravention of the provisions of the Ugandan Constitution which bars traditional leaders in Uganda from participating in political debate,†the statement signed by the permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, said.
Inviting kings and chiefs who are not recognised in their respective countries to come and discuss political issues may raise controversies and undermine stability in the great lakes region, Mugume said.
The statement explained that according to the Constitution, foreign policy issues are a matter for the central government.
The forum was supposed to establish an eastern zone and elect a secretary general.
The forum was initiated by Gadaffi at his 39th anniversary in 2008. Gadaffi has also been crusading for the establishment of one African government.
In August 2008, over 200 African kings and traditional leaders met in Libya and bestowed the title “King of Kings†to Gadaffi during ceremonies in Benghazi.
Ugandan traditional leaders were part of the forum, whose objective is to solve problems where political leaders have failed.
The forum comprises five zones; the eastern, central, west, south and the northern. The eastern zone has 16 countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Seychelles.
Earlier yesterday, the permanent general secretary of the forum, King TCHIFFI ZIE Jean Gervais of Ivory Coast, who arrived last week to prepare for the forum, paid a courtesy call on the third deputy Prime minister, Kirunda Kivejinja, at his office.
Gervais called on traditional leaders not to engage in divisive politics. “Kings, sultans, princes and sheikhs of Africa do not need to do politics because they are fathers to everybody. If our children are divided by politics, it is our role to bring them together into one fold.â€
Kivejinja said traditional institutions were banned in 1966, but the NRM government brought them back in 1993 to foster peace and development.
He warned that the struggle for power between traditional and political leaders could easily degenerate into war.
THE Government has stopped a meeting of kings from the eastern Africa region that was due today at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, saying it contradicts the Constitution.
The ministry of Foreign affairs, in a statement issued yesterday, said the forum being organised by the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gadaffi, would engage traditional leaders in politics, which is unconstitutional.
About 200 kings, princes, sultans, sheikhs and traditional leaders were expected to attend the forum in Kampala, according to organisers.
“Given that the objectives of the said forum have to do with political issues relating to African integration and the creation of the African Union government, it would be a contravention of the provisions of the Ugandan Constitution which bars traditional leaders in Uganda from participating in political debate,†the statement signed by the permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, said.
Inviting kings and chiefs who are not recognised in their respective countries to come and discuss political issues may raise controversies and undermine stability in the great lakes region, Mugume said.
The statement explained that according to the Constitution, foreign policy issues are a matter for the central government.
The forum was supposed to establish an eastern zone and elect a secretary general.
The forum was initiated by Gadaffi at his 39th anniversary in 2008. Gadaffi has also been crusading for the establishment of one African government.
In August 2008, over 200 African kings and traditional leaders met in Libya and bestowed the title “King of Kings†to Gadaffi during ceremonies in Benghazi.
Ugandan traditional leaders were part of the forum, whose objective is to solve problems where political leaders have failed.
The forum comprises five zones; the eastern, central, west, south and the northern. The eastern zone has 16 countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Seychelles.
Earlier yesterday, the permanent general secretary of the forum, King TCHIFFI ZIE Jean Gervais of Ivory Coast, who arrived last week to prepare for the forum, paid a courtesy call on the third deputy Prime minister, Kirunda Kivejinja, at his office.
Gervais called on traditional leaders not to engage in divisive politics. “Kings, sultans, princes and sheikhs of Africa do not need to do politics because they are fathers to everybody. If our children are divided by politics, it is our role to bring them together into one fold.â€
Kivejinja said traditional institutions were banned in 1966, but the NRM government brought them back in 1993 to foster peace and development.
He warned that the struggle for power between traditional and political leaders could easily degenerate into war.