Buganda MPs urged on unity

By Henry Sekanjako

Members of Parliament from Buganda have been urged to unite and fight for Buganda Kingdom interests irrespective of their political party affiliations.

Speaking during a meeting with the executive committee Buganda Parliamentary Caucus on Wednesday at Bulange Mengo, the kingdom’s Premier Eng. John Baptist Walusimbi asked Buganda MPs to avoid divisionism and consider working together in addressing issues that affect Buganda.

"I appeal to you to always work together regardless of political and religious differences. This is the only way we can contribute to the development of Buganda Kingdom," Walusimbi said.

He asked the legislators to avoid personal grudges and come together while deliberating on issues that are likely to impact on the kingdom and Ugandans at large.

Walusimbi asked the MPs to cooperate with local leaders like the local council chairpersons among other leaders in their constituencies to ensure improvement of social services such health facilities.

The MPs who were invited to Bulange Mengo by the Katikiro (Premier) JB Walusimbi were presenting the leadership committee for the Buganda caucus.

They included Godfrey Kiwanda (Mitiyana North) Chairperson Buganda caucus, Vincent Sempijja (Kalungu East) member, Deogratius Kiyinji (Bukomansimbi) Treasurer and Bugembe Mugwanya (Mubende district) Secretary.

In his address, the attorney general Buganda Kingdom Apollo Makubuya urged the Buganda Caucus to critically scrutinize all Bills tabled before parliament that are likely to affect the decades-old kingdom before they are passed into law.

He also called upon the lawmakers to support the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which is currently before Parliament, saying that the act of homosexuality affects Buganda and the country at large.

Govt debt

Makubuya re-echoed Buganda's call on government to clear all its standing arrears in rent and land owed to Buganda Kingdom.

"Government is using many of Buganda buildings but it has continuously failed to clear their rental fees. Buganda is demanding a lot of money but it is not being paid and so as Buganda caucus, you need to help Buganda claim its money," Makubuya said.

Makubuya also decried governments' failure to bring to court the Buganda riot suspects that have been kept in jail since their arrest in 2009.

Meanwhile the MPs led by the caucus chairperson Godfrey Kiwanda pledged their support in addressing issues that affect the kingdom for a better Buganda.

"As MPs from Buganda, our aim is to see that Buganda kingdom prospers economically, politically and socially. We promise to work hand-in-hand with the kingdom leaders for a better Buganda and Uganda at large," Kiwanda said.