Fellow netters, it’s the DNA of ethnicity that makes federalism in Uganda a Stone Age issue. We are currently not able to survive in the caves of our forefathers or hem in our brains like coconuts, the world is way wide open, opportunities are every where and the level of interdependence needed to survive these days is more than palpable, and so constricting.
For starters, those who have there eyes to the future (all true leaders should be visionaries), the definition of an ethnic group on which federalism is centered should be clearly explained. For a generation like ours, one for example will ask who is a true Muganda? My kids can marry or get married to any one they choose and excuse me but tribe will not be on my wish list for a suitable partner. Pluralism is a norm for many Ugandans scattered in and outside our borders. Diversities within many individuals are conflicts many don’t even want to address. Many can identify with Tiger Woods answer on the question of him being Black or African American.
So the question then is who is deceiving who? Who is going to benefit from this federalism movement? In the central area, baganda will benefit you would say, but then who is a muganda. The litmus test is before our eyes, who is benefiting from the few assets that those who want more currently own. Don’t forget that it’s the same people who administrate Bulange and its controversies that are holding the steering wheel for federalism.
For federalism to work we should have some other galvanizing force in the stipulated regions other than ethnic groups. On record I don’t think the failures in Uganda can be fixed with federalism. We are better of installing a couple bulbs in the heads of our current leaders , drill holes in some coconut skulls or scavenge for a few brighter minds.
For God and My Country.
Dr. Kayondo Eddie, MD
Comments
DIVERSITY IN TRIBE IS RICHNESS OF CULTURE WITH GOOD LEADERSHIP
A tribe is similar to a family. Human beings need to know their fathers and mothers. They are happy to make a family from two differnt families Like – wise trbes are not bad for people to belong to.
HAPPINESS, CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE
Family, tribes and nationa, create confidence in anchoring human beings in their inviroment. As a prson i would like to know what my son or daughter is marrying. I cannot allow them to marry in the Bull Clan ( Nt)e Clan) where I belong. Nor Monkey (Enkima )Clan of my mother! This is to ensure good grand children as healthy offspring. A child that produces from a sister is a curse.These are called’ TAABU’ meaning cursed. Therefore tribes and families of children matter a lot for the sake of children.
WRONG USE OF FAMILY, TRIBE AND NATION
The danger comes from using a family or tribe or Nation wrongly to hurt others.
It would be strange to have children taken away from their parents and givien to the government clubs or departments to rear them. Children are happier with their parents in a famil..
BIAFRA ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NIGERIA TAUGHT METO APPRECIATE
When I was younger I had different views on Kings and tribes, but it took an elderly man, an Attorney General of the Federationf during the War of Nnigeria to teach me the usefulness of a tribe and their leaders and Kings/Chiefs. He taught me that they are necessary many times for a people to survive. Africa should retain its Kings, Chiefs and Traditional leaders.it is a survival step.
In a summary he said that during wars, famine and catastrophic times, leaders of groups are more consoling and available than the government!.
He had poved it during the Nigerian Biafra War.
Therefore, Tribal differences are development beneficial to mankid as a whole. We should use them to advantage NOT DISADVANTAGE. Apart from keeping man alive on planet earth, they may have endured great hardships in retaining useful genes that have survived devastating illnesses and conditions. It is easir to mary from another tribe to curb hereditary diseases. It would be wasting time to marry in same one tribe when science at that time was inadequate.
TRIBAL DIFFERENCES OF AFRICA IS SCIENCE
My father a scientist, now over 95 years, John Mar’Kaluma ( BSc. Rhodes ) Fort Hare University, South Africa also taught me that our different tribes in Africa saved us from wrongly mixing where our bad genes would have contributed to annihilation as a human species due to weak offspring. Therefore, tribeal differences are blessings when it comes to marriage..It makes it easy not to marry near relatives. It is science for fighting blood diseases.
Having in part established the usefulness of us not being in the same group or tribe. It makes sense to me that people like Baganda want to have Federal government. Having FEDERO to them means freedom from OPPRESSION FROM UGANDA GOVERNMENT.
BAGANDA NEED APOLOGY FROM UGANDA COVERNMENT.
Ugandans let us accept that Baganda have been mistreated very badly by Uganda governments. It is the Baganda that contribute more taxes than any other tribe in Uganda. It was mainly tha baganda that educated Ugandans in Missionary Work. Commonsense which is not so common would dictate that ‘the hen that lays the golden egg’ is treated well, an English saying.
BAGANDA USED AS STEPPING STONE ONLY
The opposite was for Buganda. Baganda were only used as STEPPING STONES.Uganda needs to apologise to Buganda and change the stance of treating poorly the Baganda. in Ugand a there is no single tribe thatis “Abantu balamu like Baganda”. The baganda are annoyed, afraid and need their grievances accumulated over a long time to be addresssed.
President museveni you can do this and find out why the baganda have lost faith in Uganda Central government.
DISCUSSING ‘FEDERO’
Unless we have dialogue with baganda the STATE OF UNION OF UGANDA IS THREATENED.
Partly it is the top leaders that have created the fear in baganda. now we see the fear in banyoro. There is fear in Northerners. THEN WHERE IS UGANDA AS ONE NATION?
Having lived in Nigeria for over 7 years. I learned their that each family is proud of itself and origin. Each tribe is proud of its members.Each City is poud of its ethenicity. Majority tribes are respeced by minority tribes. majority tribes do not oppress minority tribes. Federal has worked in Nigeria due to rich oil and respect to each other. A good example is when Lagos the Capital of nigeria became over anxious over overpopulating and displacing the majority Yorubas in lagos by other tribes in The City and capital.
Without a war of Words, Commonsense dictated for a New City Abuja.
Like wise Uganda could start a new City without hurting Kampala City or the Baganda, “Bantu balamu’
LANGUAGE
All nigerians are proud of who they are. Individually, namewise,tribal,and regionalwise. Uganda should emulate the good. However, the smaller tribes recognise the majority tribes, the Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba.
MORE RESPECT AFTER BIAFRA WAR
Respect for each other after the BIAFRA WAR is mutual. The majority tribes are allowed to have their languages recognised by Nigeria and learned in the whole Federartion. Also the majority tribes allow the minority tribes to keep alive their languages by making minority langueges be of instruction in Primary Schools so that all children do not forget or undrmine mother tongue.
LEARNING FAMILY, TRIBAL AND FEDERAL RESPECT
Until Ugandans learn to respect their majority tribes, we shall continue to have problems in uganda. Respect for tribes starts from the top with the President, the legislature with legislating for Majority Uganda Languages to be taught and spoken in all Uganda and not by force.
ALL UGANDAN LANGUAGES MUST SURVIVE
Respect for Education of Primary Schools to encourage mother tongues to be languages of instruction in all primary schools. Respecting all minority Languages. It comes from good leadership.
Respect and love for Uganda cannot be alone in teaching Swahili and English only..
A nation without indegenous official languages may be threatened by many things. Not loving enough itself, incohesion of tribes, and poor education on tribal and richness of its diversity.It also lacks PRIDE INDIVIDUALLY. It is therefore, not surprising to see minority tribes wagging their tails in the face of majority tribes. This is being RUDE. The truth is poor education. Lack of Obuntu bulamu meaning bad manners or up bringing.The President of the Nation must appoint people in official positions always balancing the majority with the minority population percentage.
Clearly, our education is at fault. These are reasons that create majority tribes to resent Government. Minority tribes to resent majority tribes.Lack of respect and understanding of pride of people in belonging to their families, tribes and as majority tribes of Uganda.The majority tribes must always lift the minority so that no tribe is left behind. The Baganda have done this for minority tribes among them.
This lack of respect and appreciation of others makes us hate their aspirations. Let us sit with the Baganda and find out why they want to have a FEDERAL UNION. “FEDERO’ has the greatest disadvantage of being very expenssive. However, what the Baganda have experienced at the hands of Uganda governments has created a lot of resentment to be in the Uganda for all as Baganda. It is not the TOO LATE BAGANDA SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO UNLOAD THEIR GRIEVANCES SINCE INDEPENDENCE!!!.
Majoriy and Minority tribes must first learn how to treat each other.
Ugandans must be respectful of their land owners and not mistreat them because top politicians have taught them to disrespect majority tribes.
Above all all Ugandans must respect Land belonging to others. Government must stop grabbing land. An individual should not be seen to be minimised for the State advantage. There must be dialogue and good compensation. We are not Communists but Democrats that believe in freedom of an individual.
Failure to respect each other there will be NO UGANDA AS WE KNOW ITNOW.
Let us not say “a Good Muganda is a dead ONE” I as a Ugandan, I apologise for THAT.
“Entuha ne Zaaabu
Tibikora Ihanga.
Entuha ne zaabu
Tibikora Ihanga.”
In english that song in Runyakitara means riches, gold and animals or birds/ tourism do not make a nation!
I shall add,
“Oil and gold and animals
Do not make a nation”
Consideration for others and education make nation.Apply a little love in relationships.
Therefore Bunyoro oil and land are not in themselves enough to make a nation.
WE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE. HOW THEY TREAT EACH OTHER.
Christine Kaluma,
Musiita Katii, Muweesi, International Lawyer and
Spokesprson African Optimism, USA
On Federalism in the US (obviously for comparative purposes here): I suspect that the latest compromise regarding state banking regulation points to the influence of large corporations on the Congress as a culprit in the on-going eclipse of federalism. I have just posted on this, in case you are interested.
We love your message to the thinking Africans of the country of Ugamda. We don’t know if you will become President but you could and should be a great advisor.
Long Live the country and people of Uganda. Foreward
forever, backward,never. Standup Amighty people of
Uganda and take your place in time. By any means
nessarcy ? Yes We Can. Love Always Bro Abubacar