Baganda: “We stand by our rights and demands”
A collection of angry, disappointed and bitter Baganda met here in East London, Dunning Hall to discuss the horror unfolding back home.
It was a sombre occasion dominated by talk about bullets, deaths and funerals caused by a decision by the central government to refuse the Kabaka from travelling to Kayunga, Bugerere Country. Government’s unreasonable demands, together with the Kabaka’s determination to head to Kayunga forced the government to place His Majesty under house arrest.
Baganda agreed that President Museveni and his NRM are an occupying and colonial government that has to be resisted and resolved to:
- Become angry and show their anger at the state of Affairs in Buganda and Uganda.
- Not to fear military might and take responsibility for the benefit of their country.
- They declared that anyone who has died during the last 3 days of Museveni mayhem and brutality is a hero of Buganda who cannot be forgotten.
- They have agreed that the reason why Britain is such a great country is because the people here never forget those who die in the battlefield for their cause.
All Baganda pledged to work together with other nationalities of Uganda for the long term benefit of their people and country. They resolved that President Museveni’s methods of divide and rule will sink NOT only Baganda but the rest of the country and must be resisted.
The most striking resolution was the support for fellow Baganda who are battling forces of occupation. They declared that mass action was a right and legitimate way of expressing anger and resisting blackmail by the central government. Baganda blasted the Military government in Kampala for using excessive, unnecessary and illegal force to prevent people from exercising their constitutional rights. They deeply regretted that the Kabaka is under house arrest and:
- Unable to attend a scheduled function in Bugerere on Saturday 12th Sept 2009 because of presence of a hostile army of occupation around his Banda palace.
However, Baganda welcomed, a decision by the Kabaka not to force his way to Kayunga without state protection.
They decided to treat with caution, a statement purportedly written by Katikiiro Walusimbi in relation to the cancellation of the Kabaka’s visit to Bugerere. They resolved that the statement could be a propaganda publication by the occupying army authored by Inspector General of Police Kale Kaihura with the intention of confusing Baganda. They concluded that the statement was not on Buganda Kingdom’s head paper, nor was it read by Buganda Kingdom Information Minster Peter Mayega. It wasn’t read through C.B.S Radio, the official channel of Buganda Kingdom. People should be aware of impersonators.
Furthermore,
- There was a resolution to hold President Museveni personally responsible for the life and safety of Buganda Activist Engineer Alan Nakirembeke Waligo, Jaunalist Robert Serumaga and anyone kidnapped or murdered since the conflict began 3 days ago.
- A resolution was passed by members urging people to resume the total and indefinite boycott of New Vision and Bukedde, both government owned Newspapers in retaliation for the government decision to illegally closed down 5 Radio Stations including Radio Buganda’s CBS.
Most importantly, Baganda here declared that they have no quarrel with any Ugandan from anywhere, of any ethnicity or background but categorised their enemy as:
- President Yoweri ‘Kimeze’ Museveni.
- The Army and Police occupying Buganda under the command of Museveni and
- Baganda, or those calling themselves Baganda and working with Museveni and his forces of occupation.
Baganda further emphasized that the biggest threat to Buganda and Uganda are Baganda working with Museveni against the interests of Buganda and Uganda.
At the end of the meeting, all Baganda vowed to work for the restoration of the dignity of the Kingdom of Buganda and Uganda and concluded that:
- All conditions placed on the Kabaka and Buganda by the central government, which must be met before the government can guarantee safety for the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga are illegal, unreasonable and unacceptable blackmail. They must be rejected. (UK Version shall report on these conditions in the next posting).
- Baganda confirmed that there should not be any negotiations between Buganda and the central government, or a meeting between the Kabaka and President Museveni until all Buganda’s demands are met. Buganda’s demands include return of 9000ssq. Miles of land, County headquarters and Federal system of government for Uganda.
Reported by Michael Senyonjo in London,
Dunning Hall,
Forest Gate.
