| MASAKA
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere, has
urged the Baganda to encourage their children to join security forces to
protect the kingdoms cultural institutions and traditions.
Ssemwogerere was speaking at the new Kkingo Sub-county headquarters
in Masaka district on Sunday.
He said under the regimes of Apollo Milton Obote and Idi Amin Dada,
the security forces were dominated by members of ethnic groups that had
no respect for the cultures of other tribes.
He said this had caused
tension and chaos in the country.
It is not good for you parents to discourage your children from
joining the security forces like Police, Army and Prisons because other
tribes dominated these institutions and took advantage of their large
numbers in the security forces and attempted to wipe out our kingdom,
our traditions and our culture, he said.
The Katikkiro, who also
comes from Kkingo, had been invited by the sub-county chairman, Mr Ben
Bukenya, and his council to thank him for his many achievements for
Buganda and Uganda.
Turning to the deal between the central government and Mengo on a
federal status for Buganda and other regions that want it, the Katikkiro
said, We are satisfied with where we have reached so far.
The federo deal was arrived at after protracted negotiations between
Mengo and the central government.
Under the agreement sealed on
February 1, the Katikkiro will be elected as opposed to being appointed
by the Kabaka.
There will be one Lukiiko dominated by directly elected members, with
a few cultural representatives.
The Lukiiko would make laws
consistent with the Constitution. Bugandas 9,000 square miles were put
under the management of district tender boards.
The deal gives the
regional government authority to manage some functions of local
government like construction of feeder roads.
The regional government can also take over and manage community
health centres that do not belong to the central government. It is
allowed to charge some user fees for the use of the facility.
The deal also allows the President to take over the administration of
any region if he deems that the regional government has violated any
laws of the country.
Ssemwogerere said it was unfair for some people to think that Buganda
would get all its demands at once and asked everyone to be patient and
even thankful for what has been achieved so far.
The Katikkiro added that during his many trips to other parts of
Uganda he had discovered that even those communities were making similar
demands for a federal status.
Bukenya thanked the Katikkiro for bringing honour to Kkingo
sub-county. You have done us proud, and we thank you very much, he
said.
Bukoto South MP in Masaka, Dr Herbert Lwanga, attended the function.
Also in attendance was Mr MathiasNsubuga, the personal assistant to the
Kampala mayor.
He has declared his interest in contesting for the Bukoto South
parliamentary seat.
Lwanga and Nsubuga bought Buganda Certificates
worth Shs100,000 each to bolster the kingdoms
finances. | 
