By Dominic Vincent Nkoyoyo*
Looking at the Ugandan political scene, it is clear that the dominant figures in Ugandan politics right now are : Yoweri Museveni the current President and the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Mutebi. It is also evindent that there is almost endless tension between them!
The cause of this tension is Museveni’s rejection of the Kabaka’s demand for «Federo» ( a federal system of government.) The Ugandan news paper The Monitor of August 17, 2009 in article entitled: Kabaka Renews Federo demand, expresses this tension, «Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi of Buganda said yesterday that his kingdom will keep demanding a federal system of government, despite President Museveni’s view that debate on the matter is closed.»
The Uganda government owned news paper New Vision, of January 8, 2011 in article entitled, Movement MPs okay King’s Bill also highlights the tension between the Central government and Mengo (the seat of the Buganda government); it says, «The people in Mengo cannot purport to turn themselves into the Parliament of Uganda. The Constitution is clear, as it gives who makes the laws of Uganda, Mengo can send representatives to make petitions, which will be listened to on their merit.» the articles goes on to say, «…the President repeated his earlier comments that the Kabaka does not answer his phone calls since their meeting last year.»
The opposition is now politically exploiting this tension to win the support of Buganda come the elections in February this year! And the Uganda news paper The Monitor of Saturday January 8, 2011 in an article entitled, Opposition parties promise federo as 2011 polls near says, «With promising federal, the opposition is likely to win the support of mainly Buganda kingdom which has for long agitated for the arrangement which Museveni says is similar to the regional tier system his government is pushing.»
But the important question right now for any politically minded person which probably the Kabaka supporters have not asked themselves is : «If the Opposition won this year’s Ugandan elections would the Kabaka get the federo he seeks or demands?» It is true the Opposition parties are promising federo, but we should not forget that it is one thing to make promises and totally another to live up to them! And we all know how empty politicians’ promises can be! Is the Kabaka really sure that if the Opposition won this year’s elections it would give him the federo he demands?
It is not an exaggeration to say that in the whole country it is basically Buganda which is demanding a federal system of government! And it is clear that not all Baganda are behind the Kabaka’s demand for federo. For there are still very many Baganda in Museveni’s NRM!
In my view, I find it politically very difficult to see how the Opposition if it won this year’s elections, would give in to the Kabaka’s demand of federo! If this demand came from every corner of the country, that would put pressure on the Opposition to honour its promise. But it is clear that very few people out side Buganda would support the Kabaka’s federo demand even if a referedum was held on the matter.
For anybody familiar with Ugandan political history knows very well that Buganda does not have a very good reputation among other tribes. During colonial times, Buganda was a very great friend of the British! And it was through and with the help of Buganda that the British conquered the rest of the country and colonized it! So in most parts of Uganda, Buganda is identical or almost identical to the British oppressors! So it is very unlikely that the people there would give support the Kabaka’s demand for federo.
And what makes matters more complicated is that, reading between the lines, behind the federo demand, Buganda is really seeking «secession!» It is very clear that around the time of Uganda’s independence, Buganda never wanted to be part of Uganda. And to this end Buganda sent at least more than one Memoranda to the authorities in Britain! In September 1960, the Kabaka’s Lukiiko or parliament, presented a Memorandum to Queen Elizabeth II seeking Buganda’s independence! This Memorandum in part reads : «The Lukiiko’s Memorandum which explains in detail the constitutional plan for an independent Buganda is being prepared and will shortly be forwarded to Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom. We intend to divide this Memorandum into three main parts : a) Geographical and Historical background of Buganda; b) Buganda’s reasons for going it alone; and c) the Constitutional Plan.» Buganda still wants to go it alone! This should at least in part explain why Museveni cannot accept federo.
Buganda is the most developed region in Uganda and it is in fact the heart of the nation. The Administrative and Commercial Capital Kampala is in Buganda! Which political leader in his senses can accept the secession of the most important part of his country? So in my opinion even if the Opposition won this year’s Uganda elections, it would not give in to the Kabaka’s demand for federo! The Opposition is just exploiting the federo demand just to win the Buganda votes and so get itself in power. But it is unfortunate the Kabaka does not seem to see that they are just playing with him! After getting into power they would tell him exactly what Museveni has told him, «No Federo!»
So it is high time that Buganda woke up from the illusion and dream of federo at least at this point in history! The Kabaka’s political adivisers who advise him to insist on federo are not helping him. They are men seeking their own interests! And unfortunately many of the religious leaders who could have advised him better and also acted as a bridge between him and Museveni, they too appear to be consumed up by the desire for secession instead of unity of the country!
For sure the Kabaka being a citizen of Uganda, all his rights should be respected and he should not suffer any oppression from the Central government. And his complaints should be listened to. But it cannot be expected that every demand he makes has to be granted.
Anyone can see that the secession of Southern Sudan from the North is reasonable given the injustices and oppression suffered by the southerners over the years. But it is very difficult to see how the secession of Buganda from the rest of the country can be justified! If it is just because some Baganda and the Kabaka himself feel that he (the Kabaka) should have political power and restore a sense of pride they had in the past, that is really the wrong reason for divinding the country! No part of the country should be allowed to secede simply because some people want to have political power!
*Dominic Vincent Nkoyoyo, Monastery Val Notre-Dame, Canada.
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