Robert Mwanje
18 August 2008
Buganda Kingdom Second Deputy Premier Nsubuga Nsambu has condemned politicians who promote divisive politics in the country. He said it's dangerous to divide communities along political and tribal lines saying legislators should instead respect their electorates' demands and interests.
"There is no need to divide our people for selfish ends. Leaders should instead listen and implement people's needs," Hajji Nsambu said during an interview at Mengo last Wednesday. He said all ethnic groups in Buganda like Baluuli and Banyala should remain united, hard working and ignore divisive politicians if they are to develop.
"Dividing people means weakening them and reducing their bargaining power. We should remain united and invest most of your time in developmental activities," he said. The remarks come after reports that the government was supporting the inauguration of Ssabanyala [Banyala leader] to head Banyala who are considered Baganda.
According to Mengo officials, the move aims at having the Banyala and Baluuli secede Buganda Kingdom. Unlike in other kingdoms where the cultural leaders come from a royal clan, the Banyala elect their cultural leaders through a secret ballot. The disputed Banyala leader Nathan Mpagi died on August 9, a day after the government cancelled his inauguration. The deceased's blood pressure shot up after learning that the function had been cancelled.
The Mengo establishment is strongly opposed to the creation of Banyala chiefdom within Buganda saying the Banyala will remain under Buganda.
Recently, officials in Mengo, the kingdom's seat angrily responded to government's divisive approach to create chiefdoms in Buganda through installing self-imposed chiefs as subliminal 'kings'.
In 2005, President Yoweri Museveni officiated at the installation of the Isabaluri [Baluuli clan leader] Mr Mwogezi Butamanya at Nakasongora county Headquarters. The kingdom is also experiencing a nervous standoff between the central government and Buganda Kingdom over the recent arrest of three Mengo officials.
Detectives picked up information minister Charles Peter Mayiga, his deputy Medard Lubega and Betty Nambooze, the chairperson of the kingdom's civic education committee, on July 18 and detained them for a week in western Uganda.
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