Kyanjo should stop deceiving the public

Jan 11, 2010

MAKINDYE West MP Hussein Kyanjo has warned that the Baganda will take up arms if the Government does not adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law. He was referring to Buganda’s demand for federo.

MAKINDYE West MP Hussein Kyanjo has warned that the Baganda will take up arms if the Government does not adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law. He was referring to Buganda’s demand for federo.

“It is highly believed that devolution of power through federalism will greatly bring down corruption,” he argued.

Kyanjo’s remarks are irresponsible, inconsistent and wrong. They are irresponsible because as a political leader, he should promote peace, unity and stability, which are prerequisites for development, not the return to war, sectarianism and anarchy.

They are inconsistent because the kind of federalism Mengo proposes does not adhere to any democratic principles.

Mengo wants a regional government headed by the Kabaka, an unelected leader, who appoints the members of his parliament.

This unelected group of people wants full control over all public land, and decide on nearly half of all taxes collected in the region.

It would take Uganda back to the pre-colonial monarchies where a king rules for life and has absolute and unchecked power.

What Mengo is proposing is moreover unconstitutional. The Constitution determines that all the people of Uganda have access to leadership positions at all levels.

In addition, the Constitution states that Ugandans should be able to express their will and consent on who should govern them through regular, free and fair elections of their representatives.

Kyanjo is also wrong where he argues that devolution of power brings down corruption. Decentralisation in Uganda through the district system has proved the opposite.

Be it embezzlement of NAADS money, ghost pupils in UPE schools or theft of drugs, funds to the districts have been massively abused.

In fact, some critics argue that more services reached the poor when the central Government was in charge than under the current decentralisation system.

Kyanjo should stop deceiving the public. Those purporting to champion the cause of democracy should not advocate for Mengo’s federo or call for armed rebellion.

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