Monday, August 2, 2004
Granting Federo to Buganda Will Lead to Chaos
THE GOVERNMENT of Uganda is currently discussing with the Buganda kingdom the latter's demand for "federo." The government should, however, consider the views of all stakeholders before agreeing to such demands. Although I support everyone�s right to self-determination and self-rule, I�m not comfortable with the idea of granting the Buganda kingdom a federal status.
This is mainly because of the history behind the formation of the current Buganda kingdom, which some of us are contesting, and the fact that since the start of colonialism, Buganda has been enjoying a special status at the expense of other regions.
I want to draw Ugandans� attention to the events that led to the abolition of monarchies and thus federo in 1966. The main issue of disagreement between the then Buganda king, Kabaka Edward Mutesa II, who was also the president of Uganda, and the then executive prime minister, Milton Obote, was that of the lost counties.
Kabaka Mutesa refused to sign the transfer of the two former lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi (which today make up Kibaale district) back to Bunyoro, despite the fact that the people in these two counties had voted overwhelmingly to return to Bunyoro in the 1964 referendum, which was provided for in the 1962 independence constitution.
To this day, Kibaale district is not constitutionally recognised as part of Bunyoro. If I may ask: Why should people go to a vote and their wish is not adhered to, when many of you want to profess how democratic you are? This is one of the most unfair things still haunting the Banyoro, as it is also behind the land problem in Kibaale district because the land there is still mainly owned by absentee Baganda landlords.
The counties of Buwekula, (in present day Mubende district), Rugonjo (Kayunga district) Ssingo (Kiboga district) Buruli (Nakasongola district) are still part of Buganda, although the indigenous people there are Banyoro. But because of the heavy depopulation as a result of killings meted on Banyoro in these areas and the harsh colonial indirect rule by Baganda on behalf of the British colonialists, these four counties remain part of Buganda. It is unfair and unjust to introduce a system like federo that will legally bind all people in these areas to be under the Buganda kingdom, areas forcefully joined to Buganda.
It is common knowledge today that because of the strong lobby for federo in Buganda, many people opposed to federo in these areas are being admonished and threatened.
Despite the fact that many kingdoms and regions have asked for federo as per their memoranda to the Constitutional Review Commission, the government has continued to give special attention to Buganda. Proliferating injustices by granting Buganda some undue privileges will only lead to chaos.
RWABUDONGO SAMSON
Hoima, Uganda
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