15 September 2009
Kampala — President Museveni will address an emergency session of Parliament today in which he is expected to explain last week's riots that left about 24 people dead and further strained relations between his government and Buganda Kingdom.
The President's address comes a day after his main political rival, Dr Kizza Besigye of the opposition FDC party, blamed the three-day anarchy on Mr Museveni's government and political machinations towards Buganda.
It also follows announcements by Mengo that Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, banned by the government from travelling to Kayunga District on Saturday to preside over the kingdom's Youth Day festivities - an action that triggering the riots - would proceed with other scheduled royal tours in Buganda. Parliament's spokeswoman Helen Kaweesa said the President's address was at the initiation of State House. "We have got a confirmation from the President's Office that President Museveni is meeting the MPs in the Conference Hall," she said, "We are not aware of the agenda but the President is empowered by law to meet the legislators as and when he wants."
Article 102 of the Constitution mandates the President, in consultation with the Speaker of Parliament, to address MPs on any matter(s) of national importance. President Museveni released a televised statement on Thursday in which he accused the Kabaka of violating the Constitution by involving himself in politics. The President also accused the traditional leader of refusing to speak with him over long-standing disputes between the central government and Buganda Kingdom.
With the country reeling from its worst riots in history which left up to 24 people dead and blame being exchanged between different parties, President Museveni is expected to use his address before Parliament today to absolve his government of political responsibility for the riots. He is also expected to defend the conduct of the security agencies against allegations, made both locally and by the respected international group, Human Rights Watch, of disproportionate use of force, including use of live bullets against unarmed civilians.
The President is also expected to try and justify a series of government moves to clamp down on the media, including yesterday's announcement of a suspension of issuing new broadcast licences.
Besigye's take
Dr Besigye, the leader of the largest opposition party, told journalists at a press conference in Kampala yesterday that President Museveni's failed attempts to "arm-twist" Buganda cultural leaders, including the Kabaka, for political expediency led to the latest open confrontation.
He said President Museveni had, in 1993, rushed the restitution of Buganda Kingdom, banned by the UPC government in 1966, outside a constitutional framework and against popular will, expecting reciprocal eternal favours and appreciation from Mengo.
When that did not happen, said Dr Besigye, and the monarchy instead began to "loudly demand" for federal system of governance and return of all its properties seized by the central government, Mr Museveni was not amused.
"President Museveni failed to patronise the Buganda Kingdom leadership and resorted to underhand, illegal and coercive methods," he said, adding: "This was the cause of the tragic events of September 10- 12."
President Museveni's spokesman Tamale Mirundi said Dr Besigye, like "confused" Mengo officials, was reading from the same script of political blackmail whenever they fail to achieve their interests. "Mengo officials believed that the President would sacrifice constitutionalism in order to get votes," Mr Tamale said, "as if all Baganda votes are kept in a basket on the eve of elections, which someone ticks for only one candidate yet that is impossible."
The 1981-1986 NRA guerrilla war that brought President Museveni to power in 1986 was mostly fought in Buganda and the Baganda, the largest ethnic group, largely voted for the President during the 1996, 2001 and 2006 elections. Mr Tamale said the ruling NRM electoral victories, secured with massive support from Buganda, was a result of "good campaigns" by Mr Museveni, not favours from Mengo officials.
Earlier, Dr Besigye said government should take responsibility for the killing of civilians during the three-day riots in and around Kampala, many of whom were apparently shot by soldiers and the Police. The latest official count shows 24 people have died of bullet wounds and dozens injured are receiving treatment at various medical facilities.
The FDC chief said the President tried but failed to compromise Kabaka Mutebi who instead opened up to opposition politicians after it became clear that government was unwilling to cede real political and economic power to the cultural institution.
In return, he said, the government froze due payments and suspended return of confiscated properties to the kingdom and the 2007 Land Act (Amendment) Bill was hurriedly crafted to mobilise Bibanja holders against Mengo.
Dr Besigye said the government simultaneously recognised Baruuli and Banyala traditional institutions and uplifted the significance of Bunyoro Kingdom, purposefully to resurrect bitter historical rivalries of the areas assimilated by Buganda during ancient conquests.
"As the arm-twisting was going on, Mr Museveni; was, from his own account, regularly checking through telephone calls as to whether the Kabaka was yielding but to his anguish, it appears that the Kabaka held his ground firmly," he said.
President Museveni, speaking to MPs from Buganda region last week, said Kabaka Mutebi had refused, in two years, to receive his telephone calls aimed at initiating dialogue on the kingdom's crucial issues.
"It was, therefore, a combination of the frustration and discontent within Buganda and the arrogant arm-twisting from Museveni that precipitated the violent eruptions in Kampala and other parts of Buganda," said Dr Besigye.
The government, which had asked Mengo to call off the trip over fears that it could disrupt the peace, blames Buganda Kingdom for the riots. In his address last week, President Museveni said the kingdom had jumped in bed with the opposition and also accused it of receiving money from foreign sources to fight his government.
Army pleads innocence
The army yesterday rejected accusations by FDC, human rights activists and MPs that soldiers and Police acted unprofessionally in subduing the protests, shooting indiscriminately to kill civilians.
Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the army spokesman, said they acted professionally to tame hooligans who were bent on looting private property and causing mayhem. "It's regrettable that lives were lost and property destroyed but the instigators of these riots are solely responsible," he said.
Accounts by health workers in various city hospitals indicate the riot victims died or were injured by bullet shots. Lt. Col. Kulayigye said some of the protestors were armed and those are the ones who killed people.
The crisis offers President Museveni a stern test ahead of elections less than two years away. The President is expected to meet Kabaka Mutebi this week to rebuild bridges but it is not clear how much ground each side is ready to cede on the sticking issues of Buganda's demands, especially for a federal system of government, which Museveni is opposed to.
Buganda Kingdom is anxious to have its CBS radio, closed last week, reopened and today's address by the President offers the country the first glimpse of how much ground, if any, Mr Museveni is willing to cede in the fight with the Kingdom.
Reported by Isaac Khisa, Tabu Butagira, Yasiin Mugerwa & Mercy Nalugo
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Uganda is a nation comprising of many ethnic groups that have a very strong afliation to their cultural practices. In 1960s this kingdoms were abolished and it was this very Presidend Museveni who allowed the kingdoms to be reestablished.By stopping KAbakas visit, he has ruined his ability and quality of leadership. I am not a baganda. this act of stopping the kabaka's visit is wrong. Suppose he was the one stopped from visiting one of the districts how would he feel? Let the Baganda flourish.
Driawle Peter Paulino - Yumbe.
such hooliganistic behaviour originates from irrational mind. we have a wise saying that an orphan who will not grow rebels against the owner of the home.
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Active Discussions: Clashes in Uganda Over Govt-Buganda Tension