Kampala — Last week the Government stopped the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, from visiting Nakasongola after political and Baruuli cultural leadership there vowed not to allow him to preside over Buganda's October 8 independence day celebrations.

Joshua Kato interviewed a Muruuli elder and former minister Muruuli Mukasa, on the rising tension between Buganda and Buruuli.

Who are the Baruuli?

They are among the indigenous communities of Uganda. Basically, they are Banyoro. Some are found in Nakasongola, Masindi and others are in Busoga. They have been around for over 700 years.

Originally, they were known as Baduuli, which means boastful people. At one time they were very prosperous, with lots of cattle and goats so they boasted about their wealth. Buruuli came into existence during the reign of King Isaza of Bunyoro in the Batembuzi era, a long time ago.

So what are you today? Banyoro or Baganda?

We call ourselves Baruuli. Of course through the years, we have interacted with Banyoro and Baganda. There are Baruuli who prefer to call themselves Banyoro, others present themselves as Baganda. And there are those who say they are Baruuli of Bunyoro stock.

How did Buruuli (Nakasongola) area become part of Buganda?

It was a result of Buganda/British expansion against Bunyoro. During 1890 and 1900, there was fighting pitting Buganda and British on one side against Bunyoro led by Omukama Kabalega.

After his defeat this area that today includes Buruuli and Bugerere was given to Buganda by the British in appreciation of its support. Other areas that came to be known as the lost counties - Buyaga and Bugangaizi were also handed to Buganda.

Under the 1900 agreement Buruuli became part of Buganda. And that is how it has been for the last 108 years.

Did the Baruuli have a chief before being added to Buganda?

At that time, we had a chief, but the arrangement was a bit complicated. For many years, King Isaza used to send princes and princesses to govern this area. The first was Nyangoma, who Isaza appointed as ruler.

But the chiefs did not work exactly under the direct rule of the Omukama of Bunyoro. They were autonomous. This was the situation until 1900, when the area was given to Buganda.

So Baruuli were not under the direct rule of Bunyoro?

Not quite. I think that in those days, there was a bit of autonomy even among other counties of Bunyoro. Although we were under the king of Bunyoro, there was some degree of autonomy.

When was the institution of the Isabaruuli created then?

That was in September 1994. During a meeting of leaders representing 129 Baruuli clans the need for a leader and cultural issues were discussed. The current Isabaruuli, Mwogeza Mubijwa Butamanya, was then elected as the chairman of the Baruuli/Banyala Cultural Trust.

Was this in response to the coronation of the Kabaka Ronald Mutebi in 1993?

Not really. It was in response to the cultural interest that was sweeping through the country at the time. So, the Baruuli asked themselves: "Where do we fit in this cultural renaissance? Where do we fit in the Buganda cultural environment?" That is when the institution was set up.

Did you seek permission from Buganda?

We did not have to seek permission from Buganda at first, but later we went to the Katikkiro of Buganda and made several proposals.

Have you tried to have dialogue with Mengo?

Yes. On many occasions most of our proposals were rebuffed. For example, we made several proposals, including one that the Baruuli be given five seats in the Lukiiko, so that their views are aired, but this was rejected. We then asked that the chairman of the Baruuli/Banyara cultural trust be given a seat in the Lukiiko, so that there is a link between us and Mengo, but again this was rejected. Instead, Buganda told us that that they have their own nominated representative, traditionally called Kimbugwe, to represent them on our council.

The Baruuli felt that their own cultural representative was more legitimate. But Mengo's official line was that there is no community called the Baruuli. And that those who are living in Buruuli are Baganda.

We agreed that since the Kimbugwe was administrative, let us consolidate the chairman of the trust to take care of our cultural interest. But the bottom line was harmony, not conflict.

Why did you recently visit Bunyoro and expressed a desire to revert to your origin?

We, of course, consulted Bunyoro and there was no problem with that. Banyoro are our forefathers. If our cultural institution had to have legitimacy, we had to visit Bunyoro. They still had some of the regalia that pre-colonial leaders in Buruuli used. When we visited, we got it from them. We also had to visit because the Banyala are preparing to install the Sabanyala. We had to explain these issues to them.

Why was the Government involved in the creation of the institution and installation of the Isabaruuli?

t was involved because the constitution supported it. The Constitution allows the creation of traditional leaders. After being numerously rebuffed by Buganda, the majority in Nakasongola felt that they should have their own leaders. The people came out and endorsed it in a clan meeting. It was also approved by the Nakasongola District Council.

A memorandum was presented to the Government which also endorsed it. The installation of the Isabaruuli was graced by the presence of President Yoweri Museveni. We are uniting with the Banyoro culturally, just like with any other cultural institution.

There are claims that the Government is propping you up to get back at Buganda for their rejection of the Land (Amendment) Bill.

That is not true. It is diversionary. When the Government supported the installation in 1994, the Land Bill was not yet there. Besides, we don't know what many people think about the Land Bill. There are different opinions and the Government has been sensitising the people. But as far as Nakasongola is concerned, people have come out and supported the Land (Amendment) Bill because it grants them some security of their land.

Did the Government use your case against Buganda to stop the Kabaka from visiting Nakasongola last week?

I think the Government's stand on this is that if there is a threat of disturbance in an area, it has to come in.

You are on record vowing not to allow the Kabaka into Buruuli. Why did you do it?

That is true and because of several reasons. Mengo does not recognise the institution of the Isabaruuli. They have ridiculed, abused and insulted the Isabaruuli in many different fora.

On many occasions, they have refused to attend functions just because the Isabaruuli, who they call that 'obscure person', has been invited. This was the case during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), for example. The Kabaka declined to meet the Queen because Isabaruuli was among the traditional leaders invited. At one time, there was a traditional leaders' forum, but the Katikkiro of Buganda wrote that 'don't invite us if you have invited other pretenders like the Isabaruuli and the Sabanyala'.

The Isabaruuli is ridiculed on CBS radio, called a non-entity and many other things. When you do that, it means that the people who sat down and set up this person are stupid. And that the Government that recognised him is foolish; the law that recognised him is foolish. Then why is the Kabaka coming to visit this fool?

Even then, celebrating Buganda's independence is also obscure. Perhaps I have to admit my ignorance that I did not know that Buganda celebrates independence on October 8. Whenever these celebrations occur, there is a hidden political agenda. Political statements against the Government are made. We did not want to be party to those statements in Nakasongola, because we feel that we have got something from this Government.

Besides, it is right for Buganda to celebrate the glory that they have, but for us in Buruuli, what have they done for us? Sometimes celebrating this glory does not ring true, since in Nakasongola there is no development to celebrate. When you go to Mengo, you see evidence of growth. There is glory, power and civilisation. But what do we have in Buruuli to celebrate Buganda's independence? Is this a way of hoodwinking us again?

Were you informed about the visit?

No. In fact, we first heard the news on CBS radio that the Kabaka was visiting. The council sat and decided that unless we are formally informed, the visit should not go ahead. The Isabaruuli also called a council of elders and made the same decision. We sent a communication to the office of the Katikkiro of Buganda but it was ignored. Then, later on, Mengo sent some of their ministers to give us the programme and the Kabaka's itinerary.

When we asked them why we were not informed, they asked: "Who are you? Where is your Obujo (descent) and Obudo (where are you going)? Who are you to question the Kabaka when he is visiting his land?" That was the cause of the conflict. Even if it was your son, but had grown up and lives alone, you cannot simply go to his house and give him orders. Even when the President is visiting, the district officials and the LC1 chairperson are informed.

Did you consider sending a delegation to the Kabaka/Mengo to discuss the visit?

That was considered. When we heard that the Kabaka was coming, the Isabaruuli called a council of elders. It was decided that if the Kabaka is coming, they send us official communication. The district council sat and said the Kabaka's visit was okay, but there should have been an official communication. The district security committee said the same. But Mengo remained defiant. They said that they talked to Kimbugwe (Agent of Mengo in Buruuli) who should have told Buruuli about the visit.

So you decided to send a message of defiance?

Yes. We decided to send a message to Buganda that we are tired of marginalisation. We are tired of being scorned and ridiculed. The message is that we too, demand respect and recognition. We are tired of being called 'Abantu ab'olubatu' (insignificant) who do not matter. We may be 'insignificant', but it is us you are coming to see.

What would happen if the Kabaka turned up?

Chaos. Many people were ready to react to the arrogance and intransigence of the Mengo officials. Nobody in Nakasongola disrespects the Kabaka.

But there would have been fighting between the Baruuli and groups of Baganda who would have come with the Kabaka. In fact, CBS radio put up a spirited campaign, calling upon Baganda to go to Buruuli and 'fight' for Buganda. If such people had come, there would have been chaos. There was a group from Buganda, that was vowing that come what may, we are going.

But the Kabaka has visited Buruuli before. Why resist him this time?

Yes, there have been other visits, but even then, there was some kind of resistance. The difference is that those differences were settled through compromise. During one of the visits last year, Buganda officials came to the district and ordered that those whose offices were in the former Saza chief's house should vacate because the Kabaka would be using the house during his stay in Nakasongola. Those ordered to leave included the LC5 chairman, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and others. However, after discussions, it was agreed that the Kabaka visits, but should not spend a night in the district.

So is Buruuli now independent from Buganda?

Culturally, we are autonomous. But constitutionally, we are counted among the districts of Buganda. If we wanted to break away from Buganda, we would say it. Fortunately, the Baruuli do not have two mouths. They do not say this and do another thing. This thing of saying that we are splitting off Buganda is not true, because we have been under Buganda for 108 years now, but Buruuli has existed for over 700 years. All that we are calling for is respect and recognition.

Do you appreciate Mengo's concern that you want to secede from Buganda?

I do not appreciate it. Because there is no question of seceding. I don't think this cultural relationship between the Baruuli and Banyala will lead to secession. Those wars were wars of expansion and resources. But now we are still part of Buganda. The concern now is our culture, people enjoying their culture. When you say that we want to secede and bring back past wars, it is diversionary.

Where does the institution get funding from?

The Constitution allows the people to support their cultural institutions voluntarily. They do not have to be coerced. And people are supporting it. The district can also assist a cultural leader. The council in Nakasongola has from time to time come in and provided funding. Thirdly, the Isabaruuli gets his tithe as elaborated in the Constitution.

Your last word.

Leaders in Mengo should stop looking down upon the Baruuli. They should send researchers down there and learn about the history of Buruuli. We should be understood. It was a forced annexation. It was never the wish of the Baruuli to be added to Buganda.

The period before the annexation was very traumatic in Bunyoro where we belonged then. Millions of Banyoro were killed in the war against Kabalega waged by the British with Buganda as a collaborator. It is not surprising that people are still singing about those war songs of despair - of how their grandparents had to run away from invading forces. At the end of the war, the population of Bunyoro had been reduced to 200,000.

To make matters worse, there were no efforts for reconciliation after Buganda took over. It was just another period of ridicule, abuse and insults. So before anybody pontificates from Mengo, they should take into consideration all these factors.