LETTERS TO THE EDITOR- MONITOR 8/02/2003
Tribalism is showing
Apecho Lilian Daphine
I am of the opinion that Buganda�s clamour for federal government is just a cover for tribalism. They are disregarding the unitary system. To my dismay, it�s has been reported that the Uganda People�s Congress (UPC) and Reform Agenda (RA) have joined the bandwagon. This is an indication that UPC and RA are succumbing to the law of diminishing returns. The Movement should protect us from the doom of those political parties otherwise Uganda will be partitioned if federalism is granted.
February 08, 2003 11:21:08
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Federalism wrong for Uganda
Paddy Musana
Though I�m a teacher, who should be knowledgeable, I must confess that that I don�t understand what this clamour for federalism is all about.
What I know, however, is that Uganda has had different forms of government over time. I say Uganda is a country, not a nation because we are just an aggregate of different tribes.
When the Katikkiro of Buganda took the kingdom�s views to the Prof. Frederick Sempebwa constitution review commission, I feared we could be heading for a repeat of the 1966 crisis that saw the exiling of Kabaka Mutesa II.
I also fear that the kingdom�s renewed agitation, coming at the same time with this talk about a third presidential term for Yoweri Museveni, could have something to do with the �bush war agreement� allegedly reached with them. But Before the Constitutional Review Commission adopts any recommendation, some of us need to be educated on the systems of governance so far not tasted by Ugandans. Thereafter, we can go for a national referendum on the issue. Let us work towards national integration. This is the only key to development.
We should not perpetuate our individualistic tendencies in whatever form. Otherwise, I subscribe to the views professed in our anthem: �United, free, for liberty, together we'll always stand�.
February 08, 2003 11:19:48
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We shall have a Nile Federation
Okoth Majanga
This is a proposal I know is going to irritate so many people. I propose a �Nile Federation� in this period of agitation for federal government by the Buganda kingdom. I suggest that the Luo peoples (Alur, Jonam, Acholi, Jo�padhola and their close relations from Lango and Kumamland) come together. We could occupy parts of east and northern Uganda with the hope that in time our cousins in south Sudan, eastern D.R Congo and western Kenya joined with us.
The idea is for us to become self-sufficient and to relate with Uganda at the level where we can be given more respect. At the moment the other parts of the country quietly cast aspersions at us. It�s also clear that development has been skewed over time in favour of one part of the country. Why should we continue to contribute our taxes to government when the resource distribution is not equal.
With a Nile Federation in the bag, our bargaining power would have been increased. And while I think about the idea, the temptation of eventual secession looks even more tempting. The soils in much of Acholi are extremely fertile we could make it the food basket together with parts of the Sudan contributing. We also know about the oil in south Sudan. Eastern Uganda has minerals while the Congo is well endowed. The federation would be safe and has a great potential to become self-sustaining.
This is a suggestion based purely on the instinct of self-preservation.
February 08, 2003 11:18:32
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