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Federo talks have broken down, says Mengo
New Vision - Saturday, 21st August 2004
By Henry Mukasa
TALKS between the Government and Buganda kingdom officials over federo have broken down, Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere ann-ounced last evening.
�With deep regret, I inform the people of Buganda that negotiations for the federal form of governance between the central government and the kingdom of Buganda have broken down,� Ssemwogerere said in a statement.
However, a State House statement issued to the press said the talks would resume on Monday after consultations.
�One issue remains outstanding and was not concluded at this meeting. Since the conclusion of the White Paper is far
behind schedule, President Museveni requested the Katikkiro to carry out further consultations on his side so that the matter is concluded on Monday,� the State House statement said.
The Katikkiro said in due course he would ask the Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko (Parliament) to convene an emergency session at which he would make a ful
l
statement.
Buganda kingdom minister of information Charles Peter Mayiga said the issue over which they hit a deadlock was on whether there should be one Lukiiko or two.
Mengo�s stand is that there must be only one Lukiiko to handle both cultural and political matters. But the Government favours two for Buganda, one cultural and headed by the Kabaka and another elected to handle political and administrative matters.
�We are not going to be party to a chaotic arrangement for Buganda,� Mayiga said adding that the Lukiiko is the basis for the cherished federal system.
The deadlock came during the fourth round of negotiations between the government led by President Yoweri Museveni and Mengo, the seat of Buganda, led by Katikkiro Ssemwogerere.
The parties yesterday met from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Museveni�s team included the Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, Movement Vice-chairman Moses Kigongo, Premier Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, the National
Political Commissar, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and retired Premier Kintu Musoke.
Others were Attorney General and defence minister Amama Mbabazi, justice and constitutional affairs minister Janat Mukwaya and ministers of state Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka (Luweero triangle) and Tim Lwanga (Ethics).
Published on: Saturday, 21st August, 2004 |
