Baganda in Diaspora call for change of the political order in Uganda

Daniel Muringa, former Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom in Uganda, center, and Jennifer Serwanga, the chairlady of the commitee that represents the Kabaka ( King of the Buganda people) in Boston, together with two more community leaders, listen to views from members of Ugandan citizens in the US during the Buganda emergency conference held recently in Watertown Mass..

By Eva Nabawanuka Mukasa

WATERTOWN, MASS., NOVEMBER 11_An estimated 400 Baganda in the Diaspora held an emergency meeting recently and resolved that Uganda adopts a federal system of governance.
A Ugandan human rights lawyer based in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Mubiru said such a right can’t be negotiated on.

Amidst cheers and ululations, speaker after speaker said that Baganda must come together and participate in the liberation of Buganda.
 
Addressing the meeting which attracted Baganda from several states in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, the former prime minister of Buganda, Daniel Muliika appealed to Baganda to tirelessly work hard to save the kingdom from the emerging enemies.

Many of the delegates pledged to support the opposition’s effort to change the political status quo in order to put in place a government that respects people's rights.

Former Uganda North American Association (UNAA) president, Lt. Frank Musisi in his address to the meeting said that Uganda is a failed state because it can not afford the basic simple essential needs of her people.

Musisi said that it is sad that the government can afford to spend almost half a million dollars to take over UNAA when there are no medicines and equipments in hospitals.

The outspoken US army reserve who hails from Kalangala in Uganda said that the NRM government is not only destroying Buganda's culture but also the environment. He said that parcels of land once were invested in the commoners are now being given away by government to dubious companies.

Addressing the same meeting, former presidential candidate, Dr Abed Bwanika called for a common front of all those yearning to bring about change Ugandans can believe in. He warned that, “if we do not unite, we shall find it difficult to dislodge the dictatorship in Uganda.”

Quoting the Ugandan constitution, Bwanika said that, “Traditional leaders are only barred from practicing partisan politics but not politics in general. There is no way one can be a king (Kabaka) without participating in politics because the institution is inherently political,” Bwanika said.

A Ugandan lady makes her views cleary known during the Buganda emergency meeting.

He explained that the innocent individuals that have been arrested since the uprising in Buganda are in thousands, adding that government security agencies continue to arrest people and detaining them at secret and ungazetted locations.

Bwanika, who is planning to contest for the office of president in the 2011 general elections, said many politicians in Uganda do not fear being arrested but it is the end results of detention like that what is happening to the DP publicist Betty Nambooze that scares people.

He asked those present to reach out and help the opposition parties in Uganda.
Museveni longer has roots and the wind will blow away the NRM especially if all Ugandans come together and support the reformers.

Speaking on corruption, Bwanika said that the evil has its roots in the privatization process. The meeting was told that all the privatized corporations have ended up being bought and owned by the ruling inner circles.

Opening the meeting the chairman of Gwanga Mujje Boston Mr. John Buwembo Mayanja said that the time for cowardice is over.

He said that those in the Diaspora should work and contribute to the rescue of those that are detained and are seeking court bail.

It was noted during the meeting that the government is misinforming the world that this meeting is intended to raise money to overthrow it.

Dr. Abed Bwanika, Ugandan presidential hopeful. Ajabu file

Prof. Lugemwa who spoke on the Need for Federalism, argued those present to insist on inculcating cultural values and love for Buganda among the youth. Lugemwa said that without the devolution of power to regional entities, it will be impossible for democracy to take root in Uganda.

Kiwanuka Nsereko, the Chairman of the Democratic Party in the United States, who addressed the meeting on the importance of the Media in strengthening Democracy, criticized Bukedde Newspaper for its near pornographic publication which has continued to dilute the values of Baganda. 

Kiwanuka said that the reason the government is restricting the media, is to keep Ugandans in darkness. He said that the NRM's record shows that they never liked to have an enlightened country as evidenced by the fact that education was not even included in the ten point program.

FDC Member of Parliament for Busiro East, Hon. Susan Nakawuki said that the time for being soft in over. She rhetorically said that Museveni is a wolf in a sheep's skin when it comes to democracy. 

25 year old Ugandan MP, Hon. Susan Nakawuki ( center) with Ugandan diaspora leaders during the Buganda emergency conference

The youthful legislator said that Baganda must be ready to even lose their lives to secure and restore the dignity of their kingdom. The law-maker said that Uganda is becoming a dangerous place for politicians and those opposed to Museveni because many who get arrested die upon release.

She named the former FDC Chairman Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu and Mr. Kifefe, the brother of FDC president Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye. The MP said that torture chambers remain present all over Uganda.

Speaking at the same meeting Mr. Remigio Kintu warned that those who have acquired land in Buganda through fraudulent means will lose it once the government changes.

Kintu told Baganda to evaluate themselves and deal with the "in-house problem of traitors." The audience shouted back a number of names including that of the Vice president of Uganda, Gilbert Bukenya, Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi, and the Speaker of parliament Edward Ssekandi. Kintu said that the government is attacking Buganda because of its wealth and cultural heritage.

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