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Nsibambi cautions on federo
By Vision Reporters
PRIME Minister Apolo Nsibambi has warned Ugandans against making loose statements and actions that might jeopardise the ongoing talks on federo (federalism).
Addressing the congregation at St. Paul�s Cathedral Namirembe yesterday, Nsibambi, who was at first reluctant to talk about federo, said the Government desires a system that will unite all Ugandans.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere, on Friday called upon Baganda to pray that Buganda gets its aspirations. Prayers were yesterday conducted in various Anglican and Catholic churches.
�I beg all Ugandans not to be discouraged, because we are still talking. Desist from making naked statements or carrying out actions which might jeopardise or discourage the people in this intricate exercise,� Nsibambi said.
He said the Government was not only talking about federo with Mengo government, but also talking about other concerns of Buganda.
�We want to ma
ke a
constitution that unites all Ugandans and a federo that will lead to peace. Those who want it, to get it, and those who don�t want it, to stay under a unitary relationship,� Nsibambi said.
He urged the congregation to pray to God, to enable each party in the talks emerge with a win-win situation. The Prime Minister said negotiations were still going on, and asked people to be patient.
�When you are cooking, you cannot say the meat is bad because it smells bad. You wait for it to get ready, then you decide whether it is bad or good after tasting it,� Nsibambi said
Present was Buganda�s deputy prime minister (Katikkiro) Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma, who read out a statement from Katikkiro Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere.
The statement urged Baganda to pray for Buganda to achieve its aspirations, saying their hope had diminished.
Kavuma said Buganda was still expecting to get a federo status, get the 9,000 miles and have Kampala back in Buganda.
The sermon was delive
red by
Yesero Kasule, who stressed the power of prayer and fasting.
�In this period of negotiation, we need to pray to God a lot to get what we want,� he said.
At Rubaga Cathedral, Father Musajja�kaawa said it is painful to sweat and toil for something and someone else reaps the rewards.
He said the struggle for federo is meant to develop Uganda.
The Dean of Namirembe Cathedral, Rev. Canon. Musiwuufu Magala, said Buganda�s status was granted by God.
Ends
Published on: Monday, 2nd August, 2004 |
