ugnet_: EA Confederation?

[Ed Kironde]

Now that East Africa is unifying the economies of the 3 countries, and some say this would be the harbinger to federate.  The Buganda Kingdom was opposed to the federation of that nature.  We have had different constitution and we are moving to a global village.  Are Buganda subjects, the Kingdom still opposed to such an amalgamation in case it happens? Will there be a referendum in all the 3 states to decide if we are to confederate?       THE BUGANDA AGREEMENT, 1955   (See Legal Notice No.190 of 1955 Laws of Uganda, pp 383-418)     AND WHEREAS by various supplementary Agreements the Buganda Agreement, 1900, has been extended and modified;   AND WHEREAS Her Majesty’s Government has given an assurance to the Kabaka, Chiefs and People of Buganda in the following terms:-   ­‘Her Majesty’s Government has no intention whatsoever of raising the issue of East African federation either at the present time or while local public opinion on this issue remains as it is at the present time. Her Majesty’s Government fully recognises that public opinion in the Protectorate generally and Buganda in particular, including the opinion of the Great Lukiko, would be opposed to the inclusion of the Uganda Protectorate in any such federation; Her Majesty’s Government has no intention whatsoever of disregarding this opinion either now or at any time, and recognises accordingly that the inclusion of the Uganda Protectorate in any such federation is outside the realm of practical politics at the present time or while public opinion  remains as it is at the present time.  As regards the more distant future, Her Majesty’s Government clearly cannot state now that the issue of East African federation will never be raised, since public opinion in the Protectorate including that of the Baganda, might change, and it would not in any case be proper for Her Majesty’s Government to make any statement now which might be used at some time in the future to prevent effect being given to the wishes of the people of the Protectorate at that time. But Her Majesty’s Government can and does say that, unless there is a substantial change in public opinion in the Protectorate, including that of the Baganda, the inclusion of the Protectorate in an East African federation will remain outside the realm of practical politics even in the more distant future”.   AND WHEREAS Her Majesty’s Government has given an undertaking that, should the occasion ever arise in the future to ascertain public opinion in terms of the aforesaid assurance, the Protectorate Government will at that time consult fully with the Buganda Government and the other Authorities throughout the country as to the best method of ascertaining public opinion:     --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 1/28/2004

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