Kazibwe word in federo has funny smell
Vice president Specioza Wandira Kazibwe has jumped into the federalism (federo) debates (See story on page one). She insists people must spend more time working to solve problems of corruption and poverty.
In speaking about the need for Ugandans to improve their living conditions, Kazibwe is on the money. However, her entry into the federalism debates raises new questions about government�s honesty.
When the vice president speaks on such a contentious matter it cannot be taken lightly. Pro-federalism activists would be right in imagining that Kazibwe�s utterances are in consonance with government�s position, and that once again the President Yoweri Museveni government is bent on frustrating their wishes.
In 1995, during the writing of the present constitution, Buganda insisted that a large percentage of the country supported federalism as a system of government � a fact, which was included in the draft document written by the [Chief Justice Benjamin] Odoki Commission. But when the issue came up for debate in the Constituent Assembly, it has been alleged government plotted to scuttle it.
Ganda royalists, who think this way, point at government�s alleged manipulation of the then Head Prince of Buganda Besweri Mulondo to do its dirty work.
The constitutional review commission is presently collecting views from the public on diverse issues, and on Jan. 28 the Baganda, with Katikkiro Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere leading the pack, presented their demands before it.
Pro-pluralism advocates continue to press government to remove the present restrictions on political party activity to which demand government responds: �Take your views to the Constitutional Review Commission�. Now, if Kazibwe can express such an opinion about federalism where is the goodwill? Clearly the pro-federalists will think the commission is another public relations exercise from which nothing can be gained. They will also see some form of intimidation in these statements.
The consequence of Kazibwe�s remark! s is tha t she has unwittingly called into question the credibility of the commission and endangered the right of the people to express their free will on matters concerning how they will be governed. That right is guaranteed in Article 1 of Uganda�s constitution.
February 08, 2003 10:57:58
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