By Rogers mulindwa
August 6, 2003 -Monitor
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The joy and excitement that most people had expected to have during the celebrations to mark the 10th coronation anniversary for Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was reduced tempered by th presence of President Yoweri Museveni. As usual, hundreds of soldiers attached to his Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) were 'poured' in the area on the eve of the day, throwing everything in total confusion. Hundreds of people from within and outside the district had camped in the area a week before to prepare for their king's celebrations. What would have been the real Kasiki (pre-party) on Friday turned out to be a night of panic and fear as some people were forced to abandon the function until morning. Others got completely frustrated with the military environment and walked away in protest. A few others did not survive the stroke of canes on their backs as they either tried to protest the roughness of the UPDF soldiers or as they pleaded to be allowed in with their belongings. A chief in charge of Wobulenzi town council, Mr Grace Mutyaba pleaded with an obviously proud soldier to be allowed into the venue with a bull that was to be donated to the king. An hour later, he was still at the lower entrance. You can imagine that these 'hard working' soldiers even made an old man and former LCV councilor of the area, Dr Njabala Tonda remove his optical glasses. "Did they expect me to have carried a bomb in my eyes?" he asked. Was all this called for? Perhaps yes, because the president is entitled to heavy security but the roughness of the soldiers has also to be blamed on him. A night operation was mounted where all celebrants were thrown out of the venue for checking. Those who were caught cooking had to leave their food on fire and by the time they returned, some saucepans had got burnt. There were four metal detectors but they could not still make the exercise faster given the mammoth crowd. One Nsumba Membe from Katikamu could not hide his anger a day after the function. "We don't to need to have the president at these functions again" he said later. Things did not change much during the real day - Saturday. Those who didn't have invitation cards were locked out. I guess there were only two people who didn't find any difficulty in entering into the main venue. I name them as the president himself and the Kabaka. The 'busy' security personnel did not recognize the arrival of the Parliamentary Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi. The country's number three in ranking had to sweat in the lines, got shoved left and right before he got to the front row for clearance. A female journalist made efforts to save him when she shouted, " Banange that is the speaker, give him way" but no one paid heed until he fought his way through. Such was the day! Though the soldiers were very much aware that the function was for the Kabaka, the Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) outside broadcasting van was locked out until after a long time of pleading. The live commentaries thus begun late. CBS' Medi Nsereko and Joseph Kafumbe were at the venue as early as 8 a.m for the live commentaries on the station which is owned by the Kabaka and is based in Mengo. The van in question carried clear labels of the media house but this meant little to the security boys. It is not a surprise that I also fell prey to the cruel soldiers. I was detained for about 30 minutes before being escorted away and ordered not to return. (See: My crime: I had not been cleared by State House to cover the function - A Kabaka's coronation anniversary celebration! A hand written list of journalists was shown to me where The Monitor was completely missing. Attempts to plead for clearance to talk to the concerned officials only fetched me more trouble. A plain-clothed security personnel threatened to place me put under arrest. On top of this, he went a bit tribalistic and said, "You Baganda, you are confused" This statement was not called for, whatsoever. Mr President, your boys didn't treat us well especially at a time you claim to be professionalizing the force. I guess, it was because of your presence that the inspection of the stalls was not done. The exhibitors who had been in place for a week left disappointed for having missed the king's handshake. As much as everybody would wish to have you at such functions, the conditions may be tempting us to say, "we can celebrate without you". We need to be free at our own functions. Thanks a lot for your Shs l0 million contribution towards the function but... The writer is The Monitor's Bureau Chief based in Luwero. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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