First of all, I'd like register my thanks to Mr. Lugemwa for all his untiring efforts to spread the federo "gospel".
It is quite clear that the principles of federal governance offer substantial benefits for a country like Uganda that has cultural diversity and the natural resulting diversity of political opinion. When one adds diversity of religious opinion the situation can become explosive rather quickly -- and easily exploited by the cunning, e.g. Obote by conjuring unreasonable and unfounded fears.
I do know that even when Buganda was agitating for independence for herself in the 1960s the official position of Buganda was as I stated it here not tto long ago in my exchange with Mr. Kipenji, namely: as far as Buganda is concerned, each and every single part of Uganda is free to pursue what is best for that region as decided by the inhabitants of that region. So strongly did Buganda believe in this that she committed herself and put it in writing for any and all to see. The ink is still there.
Unfortunately for Buganda, her non-interference policy become a one-way deal. Recpricity (sp?) would move us a long way ahead. This is especially so when one considers the fact that the principles of federo are general and robust enough to accomodate entities governed on both federo and unitary basis (for those entities that prefer this over federo) under the same national borders. Examples of this abound the world over.
To those who oppose Buganda I say: ask the following couple of questions:
1. Why does Buganda want federo, i.e. what advantages or benefits would Buganda enjoy under federo?
2. Why do I not want those same benefits and advantages for my home area/region?
ssemakula
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Mitayo Potosi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Federo -A lesson from Canada!
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 19:39:25 +0000
>
>2. A federal state is one that brings together a number of different
>political communities with a common government for common purposes,
>and separate 'states' or 'provincial' or 'cantonial' governments for
>the particular purposes of each community....Federalism combines
>unity with diversity.
Dear Ndugu Kibuka, Ssennyonjo and all that worked on the "Federo" Project,
The above is exactly what I had understood federalism to mean.
But I continue to hear people like the Katikkiro talk about federalism for Buganda.
Mr. Bwenje too advocates Federo for Buganda , mischiviously, if you asked me.
Is it possible to have a central unitary govt together with one "federo" region?
At independence we tried this hoping that the Privy Council would ultimately be the final arbiter.
It never worked.
There may be tons and tons of Ugandans out there who would want to give the federalist arrangement a chance. But first and foremost they have to be clear whether we are talking about Federo for Uganda or Federo for Buganda.
My feeling is that those who don't want to make the distinction are enemies of Uganda and Buganda, ready to fish in troubled waters.
I have a question:- Are you as a Muganda ready to carry this 'crown of thorns' called 'Federo for Baganda'?
Mitayo Potosi/Potojsi
>From: Lugemwa FN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: ugnet_: Federo -A lesson from Canada!
>Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 18:04:24 -0800 (PST)
>
>
> "How Canadian Govern Themselves" : Part I
>
>1. Governments in democracies are elected by the passengers to steer
>the ship of the nation. They are expected to hold it on course, to
>arrange for a prosperous voyage, and to be prepared to thrown
>overboard if they fail in either duty.------UG?
>
>2. A federal state is one that brings together a number of different
>political communities with a common government for common purposes,
>and separate 'states' or 'provincial' or 'cantonial' governments for
>the particular purposes of each community....Federalism combines
>unity with diversity. It provides, as John A. Macdonald, Canada's
>first Prime Minister, said, "A general government and legislature
>for general purposes with local governments and legislatures for
>local purposes."
>
>3. The Fathers of Confederation were faced with the task of bringing
>together small communities scattered over immense distances. Not
>only were these communities separated by natural barriers that might
>well have seemed insurmountable, but they were also divided deep
>divergences of economic interest, language, religion, law and
>education.
>
> To all these problems, they could find only one answer:federalism
>
>-------- to be continued
>
>F.N. Lugemwa
