Joshua Kato
11 October 2008
interview
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?
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