Mengo is right about ‘ebyaffe’ but only just!

Jan 30, 2003

ON Tuesday, grumbling Buganda kingdom officials led by the Katikkiro (prime minister) Joseph Ssemwogerere presented views to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).<br>By tabling their proposals to the Frederick Ssempebwa commission, Ssemwogerere returned Buganda’s demands into the arena for

Ofwono's Option with Ofwono Opondo

ON Tuesday, grumbling Buganda kingdom officials led by the Katikkiro (prime minister) Joseph Ssemwogerere presented views to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).

By tabling their proposals to the Frederick Ssempebwa commission, Ssemwogerere returned Buganda’s demands into the arena for scrutiny.

Ugandans also ought to be reminded that following the appointment of the CRC, all provisions of the Constitution are open to further scrutiny for possible amendment in accordance with their wishes. In that regard, they should not feel shy about exercising their right.

Back to Buganda, according to Ssemwogerere and Mengo lawyer John Katende, the 1995 Constitution gave Buganda a “raw deal”, because among other things, a federal status for Buganda was not granted then.

They are grumbling because they suspect, that this time round their sloganeered federo, 9,000 sq. miles of Crown land, and Kampala may not be granted again. However, even without considering the merits or otherwise of the demands, there will be need to deal with some of the previous distortions.

For instance, in the past and present debates, deliberate, consistent and persistent misrepresentation were constructed to the effect that federalism was historical and natural to Buganda kingdom.

As the Mengo establishment demands for federo and claims to be the best type of administration, readers should be reminded that to the contrary the Buganda kingdom was a highly centralised system until Uganda achieved independence in 1962.

The Kabaka (king) was an all-powerful figure, unquestionable, executive, judicial and legislative authority. It is partly for that reason that the Kabaka of Buganda cannot be seen eating in public or at a burial of the dead.

Nevertheless, even with the misplaced misgivings, presentation of views to the CRC is the right constitutional path for all Ugandans to follow to reach the desired political ends.

In that regard, Buganda kingdom officials and their followers deserve a big handshake from all other Ugandans of goodwill. And odd as some of the demands appear, it will be necessary for Mengo political advocates to package and market those demands consistently to the wider Ugandan public who may be asked to vote on some of the decisions.

However, the euphoria, and high anxiety in the Mengo establishment need to be rationalised within the national context. The Mengo views or demands as they are referred to, remain proposals to be considered among those from other Ugandans.

The levelling of political expectations is necessary to forestall or avoid an unnecessary political bickering in the days to come. The people of Buganda ought to be told that in the political horse-trading, it may not be possible to grant all their wishes in one go.

Lofty as some of the demands appear, it is imperative to illustrate to Mengo officials that building a well-off society calls for major efforts towards modern culture, a political and scientific civilisation.

Granting federo, the 9,000sq. miles, Kampala city, and immunity to traditional leaders alone cannot transform Buganda or Uganda from a backward, and poverty-stricken to a modern and prosperous country.

For example, even with the existence of the Mengo government since 1993, Buganda still remains the region with the lowest immunisation levels for children under five years. Pit latrines per capita is much at the lowest as in Karamoja and Kumi; and in Buganda villages basic food is hard to come by much the same way as in Tororo.

While it is not the intention here to dispute property ownership, it is also a fact that the Buganda kingdom already has so much idle land and other natural resources from which no one is benefiting optimally.

In the present-day world, culture is interactive with economic and political activities and its function should lead to competition for overall national strength. Taking one demand for illustration, it is not necessary for Kampala to be part of Mengo establishment for that group to develop their property such as the cultural sites or expansive land.

Even as the situation stands today, Mengo is at liberty to develop its property for the benefit of itself and those it claims to represent. The Buganda kingdom as a legal entity is even free to own property including developing cultural sites outside Buganda especially if such development can fetch revenue for the kingdom.

And contrary to claims by Katende that Buganda developed under federo, it was actually colonialism, British capital and Indian and other migrant labour that developed Buganda.

For instance, schools such as Makerere, King’s College Budo, Gayaza High School, St Mary’s College Kisubi and Namilyango College were a creation, not of federal government in Buganda but colonial religions. These are facts that should not be distorted for selfish, populist and cheap political endeavours.

When Buganda was under federo between 1962 and 1966 its development, peace, tranquillity and stability disintegrated slowly and surely leading to the explosion of 1966.

It is also imperative to re-state that as we move away from impunity, and cultivating national spirit and the rule of law, demands for blanket immunity for leaders is something Uganda ought to avoid.

As long as the rule of the law prevails and takes root, there is no reason for seeking immunity under “traditional leaders.”

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});