RETIRED Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze of Busoga Diocese has warned against backing
Buganda in agitating for federo.
Robert Kanusu reports that
Bamwoze said the factors that led the then government to abolish the system
still exist and urged peace-loving Ugandans to shun the proposal in the interest
of unity.
�I have always said when I�m nothing else, I�m a historian.
But Buganda is trying to be short- sighted on what they really want by trying to
tell the world that history doesn�t grow,� Bamwoze said.
He added that
he would not fool himself to be misled by demagogues. He said federo strips the
presidency of power.
Bamwoze, who spoke to The New Vision in an
interview at his farm in Nakimegere in Kamuli district on Wednesday, said there
was no wise president who would accept to become ceremonial.
�It is
common sense that we cannot have an independent head of a federal state in an
independent state like Uganda as the Baganda want to convince us,� Bamwoze said.
He dismissed the example given by Buganda premier Joseph Ssemwogerere that
America was operating successfully under a federal system. He said America�s
system was not based on cultural rulers as is the case in Uganda.
He
reminded Buganda to be realistic to other communities and the current government
that restored their monarchy. He warned of the likely consequences if they
insisted on pushing for full autonomy from the central government.
�Times have changed and they should learn to adjust, but looking back at
the 1960s system is being narrow minded,� he said.
Last week,
Ssemwogerere led a procession of pro-federo supporters through Kampala to stir
up support for their proposals submitted to the Constitution Review Commission.
Bamwoze also warned the Baganda against politicians who are using the
pretext of supporting federo for their political ambitions.
He said many
opposition politicians were identifying themselves with Buganda demands, but
would not grant those demands if they came to power.
�I will always say
the truth and be hated, but I don�t mind, after all, I�m a retired farmer in the
village,� he said.
Ends
The Mulindwas
communication group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in
anarchy"
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