Otunnu, UPC should apologise to Buganda
Dec 10, 2010
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu should not deny the allegation that his party is responsible for the 1966 political crisis that abolished kingdoms and made Kabaka Mutesa flee the country.
THE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu should not deny the allegation that his party is responsible for the 1966 political crisis that abolished kingdoms and made Kabaka Mutesa flee the country.
History proves this. Otunnu refuted the allegation of not being involved in the 1966 political crisis at his campaigns in Masaka on Sunday. UPC’s former leader, the late Milton Obote was clever in getting what he wanted because in 1962 he first ‘blindfolded’ the people interested in federalism by accepting a constitution that granted a federal status to the five traditional kingdoms that included Buganda.
By 1966, Obote had sent troops under Gen. Idi Amin to subdue Kabaka Mutesa II, and later abolished all the kingdoms with the aim of doing away with Buganda. Instead of denying the allegation, UPC party members should apologies to the Baganda and Buganda Kingdom.
The denial adds insult to injury. Troops killed thousands of unarmed civilians and there was extensive looting, raping and torture by Obote’s soldiers in 1966 and many royalists were arrested and imprisoned without trial.
The palace was set ablaze, and many centuries-old cultural treasures were destroyed.
Mutesa fled to London for his dear life.
The agony and the pain felt by our parents and grandparents is still felt in our minds and hearts. Buganda’s refusal of Obote’s Government to use Buganda soil sparked off the 1966 crisis. UPC, with humbleness, should accept the mistakes of their former party members and leaders and apologies to the Baganda and Buganda as well.
The apology will close the gap that exists between the kingdom and the UPC. Denying responsibility is just worsening the situation. Admitting a mistake is the first step in mending fences. I hope Otunnu and UPC members have the humility to appreciate that.
Sarah Kyobe
Kampala
History proves this. Otunnu refuted the allegation of not being involved in the 1966 political crisis at his campaigns in Masaka on Sunday. UPC’s former leader, the late Milton Obote was clever in getting what he wanted because in 1962 he first ‘blindfolded’ the people interested in federalism by accepting a constitution that granted a federal status to the five traditional kingdoms that included Buganda.
By 1966, Obote had sent troops under Gen. Idi Amin to subdue Kabaka Mutesa II, and later abolished all the kingdoms with the aim of doing away with Buganda. Instead of denying the allegation, UPC party members should apologies to the Baganda and Buganda Kingdom.
The denial adds insult to injury. Troops killed thousands of unarmed civilians and there was extensive looting, raping and torture by Obote’s soldiers in 1966 and many royalists were arrested and imprisoned without trial.
The palace was set ablaze, and many centuries-old cultural treasures were destroyed.
Mutesa fled to London for his dear life.
The agony and the pain felt by our parents and grandparents is still felt in our minds and hearts. Buganda’s refusal of Obote’s Government to use Buganda soil sparked off the 1966 crisis. UPC, with humbleness, should accept the mistakes of their former party members and leaders and apologies to the Baganda and Buganda as well.
The apology will close the gap that exists between the kingdom and the UPC. Denying responsibility is just worsening the situation. Admitting a mistake is the first step in mending fences. I hope Otunnu and UPC members have the humility to appreciate that.
Sarah Kyobe
Kampala