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By Joyce Namutebi
THE Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) yesterday endorsed the federo proposals agreed on between Mengo and the Government.
The Government yesterday also released details of the agreement with Buganda, Bunyoro Kitara, Toro and Busoga on regional governments (see full statement on Page 5).
Regional governments will have legislative and executive powers, and will play a role in education, management of roads, health, agriculture, environment, culture, taxation and land.
At a Lukiiko meeting in Mengo yesterday, there was no debate after Katikkiro (Buganda premier) Joseph Ssemwogerere and constitutional review chief John Katende briefed members about the deal. Ten new ministers and Lukiiko members were also sworn in.
Present were MPs Ken Lukyamuzi, Rosemary Seninde, Henry Mutebi Kityo, Joseph Mugambe and Kampala mayor John Ssebaana Kizito.
�We agree with what has been done by the Katikkiro,� the Lukiiko speaker, Hajji. Maha
bouba
Semakalu, said at Bulange, the kingdom�s seat, soon after Katende ended his brief that attracted a standing ovation.
Semakalu said the Katikkiro had secured the majority of Buganda�s demands.
�The Lukiiko accepts what you have brought,� he said amid clapping from the chambers and the gallery. The emergency meeting was called to brief Buganda on the outcome of the federo negotiations.
Some Baganda and Lukiiko members, were, however, disappointed with the proceedings. The gallery that was packed when Ssemwogerere spoke began to empty soon after.
�Is that federo? It is not. This one is a revised charter, the charter we rejected,� said Joseph Balikuddembe, a lawyer and a Lukiiko member.
He said, �This is very risky for Buganda.� He said he neither stood up nor clapped after the speakers� pronouncement.
He said despite some good ideas, he regretted that the debate on the matter was not granted.
Buganda�s negotiating team consisted o
f the
Katikkiro, Katende and ministers Apollo Makubuya and Charles Peter Mayega.
The Government�s side had President Yoweri Museveni and ministers Amama Mbabazi (defence) and Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (internal affairs).
�These have been very difficult negotiations,� said Katende, adding that the fight was not yet over. He said his team met 47 times after the first talks failed.
He commended the Kabaka and his team, the Government side and Capt. Francis Babu, who he said helped clinch the deal.
A woman Lukiiko member said she was not satisfied about the status of the Katikkiro, who will now be directly elected by Buganda residents and will report to the President.
There were murmurs when the Katikkiro first said this at the three-and-a half hour meeting. Some youth under �Gwanga mujje� demonstrated outside the Bulange, demanding �full federo and nothing less.�
Their placards denounced the new status of the Katikkiro and demanded that Buganda
collects
taxes.
Ssemwogerere said Kampala is part of Buganda but will be managed by the central government.
There will be one Lukiiko dominated by directly elected members, with a few cultural representatives.
He said Mengo will not collect taxes and the Lukiiko would make laws consistent with the Constitution. He said Mengo was looking to MPs to complete the job.
Ends
Published on: Tuesday, 15th February, 2005 |
