Grace Matsiko and Robert Mwanje
8 October 2008
Nakasongola — The government has barred the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, from visiting Nakasongola District headquarters where he was scheduled to celebrate the kingdom's 46th independence anniversary today.
Buganda attained Independence as a federal state from the British colonial government on October 8, 1962 but the Kabaka's visit to Buluuli County headquarters, which is also the Nakasongola District headquarters, had been strongly opposed by the Baruuli, who are seeking a breakaway from the kingdom.
Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said in a statement last evening, "In view of the imminent security threats on the ground and the consequent chaos that is likely to occur in Nakasongola, government has decided to disallow the planned Bulungi Bwansi (community service) function and other related activities at Nakasongola District headquarters and surrounding areas".
Dr. Rugunda, however, said the Kabaka's functions at Kakooge and Migyera can proceed as planned. Buganda Kingdom's Minister in charge of the Kabaka's travels Kabuuza Mukasa said the tour will go ahead with the Kabaka touring different sub-counties and commissioning community-based social projects.
But palace sources told Daily Monitor that Mengo cancelled today's events after the Police blocked roads to Nakasongola District headquarters. "Even Riot Police was equipped with teargas," the source said. The Kabaka returned to Kampala last evening.
The kingdom holds annual events, which rotate in different counties with an aim of strengthening its roots and protecting its boundaries. Buluuli is a contested area, which Buganda claims to be part of the kingdom. The county borders Buganda and Bunyoro with a population mix of Baluuli, Banyala and Baganda.
In the build up to yesterday's events, the Ssabaluluri, Mr Butamanya Mwogeza, a traditional leader named from within the Baluuli against Buganda's wishes, had warned the Kabaka against visiting "his territory".
Bunyoro Kingdom's Information Minister Ford Mirima had also issued statements claiming Buruuri as part of Bunyoro. Buluuli is one of the seven "lost counties" that were previously part of Bunyoro Kingdom but were given to Buganda by the colonial government for its support of the war against Bunyoro. Others include Buwekula, Singo, Bunyala, Bulemezi, Lugonjo and Mawokota.
Bunyoro has been agitating for the return of the "lost counties", a claim Buganda kingdom officials have rejected. Yesterday's events are likely to resurrect the territorial dispute between the two traditional kingdoms. Bunyoro's Mr Mirima said Buganda had no authority to hold functions in a territory of another cultural institution without its permission.
But Buganda kingdom officials insisted the Kabaka's tour is developmental and not political as alleged. A pressure group, the Buganda Emergency Committee vowed yesterday that the Kabaka's tour would go ahead as planned.
"This incident can only be considered a complete violation of the rights of all Baganda to exercise the cultural rights as a people as well as an escalation of the governments' unspoken war to destroy the Kingdom of Buganda so as to achieve its own neo-colonial ambitions," the group said in a statement. "The nature and timing of this attack by government demonstrates the government's increasing desperation when dealing with the people of Buganda."
Sources said, on Monday, the government convened a meeting attended by Katikkiro Walusimbi; Buganda Attorney General Apollo Makubuya, Dr Rugunda; Police chief Kale Kayihura and State Minister for Justice, Freddie Ruhindi. In the meeting the government insisted the Kabaka should call off the tour.
But the Buganda delegation vowed to go ahead with the tour without Police protection prompting the government to issue a statement.
In his statement, Dr Rugunda said he'd earlier written to Mr Walusimbi and police chief Maj. Gen. Kayihura asking the Kingdom to call off the tour due to fears about the Kabaka's security. "I confirmed that the fears of the security threats expressed by the Katikkiro of Buganda especially against the person of the Kabaka were real and more widespread than he had indicated in his letter to the Inspector General of Police," Dr Rugunda said.
"In view of this, the government strongly advised that the planned Bulungi Bwansi and related functions in Nakasongola be postponed and invited the Katikkiro to work with the government and other stakeholders to find a decisive and lasting solution to the undercurrent of violence that seems to be characterising the relations between Buganda Kingdom on one hand and Baluuri Banyara Cultural Institution on the other," he added. Dr Rugunda, however, said in spite of the advice, the Kabaka had gone ahead with the tour.
When asked about the action government will take if Kabaka continues with today's function, Rugunda said, "when government disallows, it means it". But as tension between Buganda and government grew, four unidentified men were yesterday arrested by Nakasongola police ahead of Kabaka's arrival in the area.
The Central Region Police Spokesman, Mr Moses Kafeero told Daily Monitor that the youth face charges of being idle and disorderly. He warned the Baluuri against acts of violence.
"Police is on maximum alert to arrest any violent character. We know that the Kabaka of Buganda has come with his delegation and another group is here [Nakasongola], the two groups should be harmonised," Mr Kafeero added.
Kabaka among others projects commissioned CBS FM radio fans at Migyera in Nakasongola. Kabaka left in a motorcade of over 20 vehicles with his security considerably beefed up. By midday, Kabaka was in Wobulenzi town heading to Nakasongola. On the way, Kabaka was met by cheering subjects who waved tree branches and banana leaves to welcome him.
The Kabaka responded by waving and nodding in appreciation. Bunyoro, Buganda's kingdom historical rival said Kabaka's tour was reminiscent of colonialism and meant to denigrate other traditional institutions.
This is the second time in two years the Kabaka is facing resistance from members of the Baruuli community. In 2006, when the Kabaka visited the district to preside over the Bika bya Baganda Football Tournament, a pro-Ssaabaruuli group threatened to cause violence, prompting heavy security deployment.
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This is what happens you invite a snake into your house. Soon enough it will drive you out of your home thinking it is now its own place of abode. Now what was really the point of restoring kingdoms ? It was a classic case of Museveni's chicanery of cynically manipulating the kings or cultural leaders to garner political support. The problem with these types of lies is that they work, or seem to, for a short while because soon or later they are bound to back fire.