CHARLES ONYANGO-OBBO -EAST AFRICAN-3/02/2003-NAIROBI-KENYA
Who Can Resist the Return of the King?
Like the ghost in the movies, the clamour for federalism by the southern Buganda and other pro-monarchist regions in Uganda will just not go away.
In 1966, the Kabaka of Buganda, Freddie Mutesa, was titular president when his kingdom quarrelled with the central government led by Prime Minister Milton Obote. Mutesa ordered Obote and the central government to ship out of Kampala, which was in Buganda. Obote responded by sending the army in, running Mutesa out of town and into exile, and abolishing the kingdoms. Uganda became a republic in 1967.
The Buganda federalists say President Yoweri Museveni, who based his armed rebellion in their region, promised to restore the kingdoms but cheated them when he came to power. His government restored the kingdoms as cultural chieftaincies without political power in 1993.
A whopping 97 per cent of the Baganda told the Constitutional Review Commission that they wanted federalism. The Constitutional Assembly handed the Baganda a backhander, and all they got was recognition of the kingdom as a cultural entity. They have not shut up since.
In all, four cultural kingdoms have been restored in Uganda, and three grand chiefdoms revived or created. One would-be king, Prince John Barigye, had his coronation cancelled by President Museveni. Barigye would have been king of Ankole (Omugabe), where Museveni comes from.
Barigye's supporters say Museveni won't brook Barigye as Omugabe, because he wants the crown for himself. Museveni, rightly, points to the law and says that it is because the majority of the Nkole people don't want it. Nearly 80 per cent of the Nkole people are from the old underclass, the Bairu, and most resent a return of the Hima royalty.
That may be true, but to understand why one day the republicans in Uganda will have to share the political spoils with the federalists, who are mostly pro-monarchist too, we have to look to the goings on around king-in-waiting Barigye.
A portly, genial and intelligent man, Barigye chose to relapse into a majestically dignified laidback posture after his coronation was squelched. Though he hasn't campaigned publicly for it since, by that very token he has actually looked more like a king with every passing year.
Two weeks ago, Barigye's daughter, Caroline Barigye, wedded an Irishman in Kampala. Before the wedding, there was a giving-away ceremony (Kuhingira) in Barigye's palace-to-be outside Mbarara. I was informed of the proceedings by a correspondent who was in attendance:
"Prince Barigye has just accomplished a rather difficult feat, of completing what can only be described as a wonderful piece of architecture, that will now be the palace at Kariro, Muhabura."
It sits on five acres of lush lawn, with tastefully placed trees, flowerbeds and shrubbery. The house itself is a modern double-storied structure, whose only concession to culture is the many paintings of royalty, past and present. The place has to be seen to be described.
"The Kuhingira itself was amazing. Suffice it to say that the atmosphere was electric. And not just from the Bahima. The general feeling was that this Kuhingira, a simple enough matter, substituted for a coronation."
The prince had three wives there, to further show his standing and 'toughness.' The Omwigarire or queen was of course seated to his right, while the mother of the bride, now living in South Africa and part of history, also had a place of honour on the high table. His other 'official wife,' one Edith Kakoko, was [also at hand].
"The awe with which people came to the palace, for the first time for an official function since the abolition of kingdoms, was palpable. I witnessed people shed tears as soon as they entered the grounds. To tell you the truth, it scared me a bit."
My correspondent is not a monarchist. But even he couldn't miss the writing on the wall.
Charles Onyango-Obbo is managing editor in charge of media convergence at the Nation Media Group.
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