Barigye
The piece is garbage and a garbage built on concoctions. And here is one of
them, quote and quote I deliberately titled todays program Restoring
federalism in Uganda to indicate that Uganda had a federal system of
governance before going as far back as the 1900 Buganda agreement. End
quote. Do you honestly know Uganda to be a Federal state at any point of our
life time? The answer is no it was a quasi, some of us were born then,
unlike many here and we know what it was. So what is the exact meaning of
that sentence?
Delete the entire document and ignore it as I did to start with.
EM
On the 49th
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Allan
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [UAH] We are restoring federalism in Uganda
Eric,
Pick a munduki and here is what is likely to happen:
1. M7 will for once give you audience.
2. You will have a million follows ready for a piece action if even if it
means castrating M7 alone!
On Sat, Mar 16, 2013 at 5:36 PM, Eric Kashambuzi <[email protected]>
wrote:
· Radio Munansi English program Saturday March 16, 2013
This is Eric Kashambuzi communicating from New York.
Greetings fellow Ugandans at home and abroad, friends and well-wishers and
welcome to the program. We call upon all of you to participate in order to
enrich the debate because as they say two heads are better than one. Our
program is an interactive one.
For those unable to tune in our presentations are posted on face book,
Ugandans at Heart Forum and at www.udugandans.org
<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.udugandans.org&h=VAQFo2-BR
AQGR9Z-jOC62SQ_cjm5V4FQ6hToXJdxe2mIQpQ&s=1> .
I wasnt able to be on the program over the last two weeks because of
circumstances beyond control. I trust my co-host Apuullii Jaassi managed
well during my absence, notwithstanding all the inconveniences.
Before presenting todays program on restoring federalism in Uganda let me
begin by congratulating Catholics for electing through their Cardinals a new
Pontiff Pope Francis I who is known as a champion for social and economic
justice for the poor and vulnerable members of humankind. We hope that he
will use his new position to push even harder to give voice to the voiceless
and powerless around the world regardless of their faith.
During my absence over the last two weeks, I attended in London a conference
on March 9 that established a federal technical working committee (FTWC) as
mandated in the resolution of the federalism conference that took place in
London on February 27, 2012.
But before reporting on the outcome of the conference and the way forward,
let me begin by stressing that federalism in Uganda is not new and is not a
Baganda affair.
Federalism which is now enjoyed in 28 countries with over 40 percent of the
worlds population is defined as sharing power between the central or
federal government and constituent units which can be defined as states,
provinces, regions or communities. The sharing of power once agreed upon is
then enshrined in the constitution to avoid interference. In other words,
the federal or central government cannot amend the division of
responsibilities alone. It has to have the concurrence of the constituent
unit concerned.
It is important to note that there is no one model for establishing a
federal relationship between the central government and constituent units.
But capacity to deliver under federal arrangements is a key consideration in
negotiating a federal system of governance.
I deliberately titled todays program Restoring federalism in Uganda to
indicate that Uganda had a federal system of governance before going as far
back as the 1900 Buganda agreement. These federal arrangements that were
expanded overtime were swept away under the Republican constitution of 1967
that introduced a centralized system under executive president.
It is these federal arrangements that were swept away that Ugandans want
restored and extended to those communities or districts that did not have
them.
The 1900 Buganda agreement did not give the Protectorate administration full
control over Buganda. The acceptance of the institutions of Kabakaship,
Lukiiko, chiefs and ministers comprising Katikiro or prime minister,
minister of justice and minister of finance meant that power or
responsibility was shared between Buganda government and Protectorate
administration hence federalism.
In 1994 Governor Dundas introduced major changes in Buganda that resulted in
a revised constitutional relationship between Protectorate administration
and Buganda government. Through this revision, provincial and district
commissioners that gave instructions in Buganda affairs were eliminated and
replaced by a Resident and his staff that gave advice to Buganda government,
meaning that Buganda got more powers to conduct its own affairs provided the
Governor concurred. Dundas observed I wish the Resident and his staff to
confine themselves to advice and guidance, leaving inspection and control to
your [Kabaka] Government and its agents (G. Thompson 2003).
The Namirembe constitutional reforms of 1955 expanded the powers of Buganda
by increasing the ministers from three to six. Additionally Buganda was
responsible for education, health and natural resources including
agriculture.
In the 1961 Munster Report it was observed that these constitutional changes
gave the Kabakas government more responsibility, as was thought to be
due to them under the 1900 Agreement confirming a federal arrangement for
Buganda. The report added that Bugandas present relationship with the
Protectorate Government contains, in other words, a substantial element of
federalism.
Until very late in the negotiations leading up to independence, Buganda had
failed to get an assurance that she would retain a federal status in the new
constitution. In these circumstances, Buganda proclaimed her secession by
resolution of the Lukiko on 31st December, 1960.
Under normal circumstances, no negotiator would accept conditions lower than
already enjoyed. Buganda position was therefore taken seriously or Uganda
would have followed Congo where Katanga seceded in 1960 had the Protectorate
administration insisted on a unitary system of government for the entire
country.
In order to keep Uganda together as one country and avoid a repeat of
Katanga secession experience in Congo, a compromise had to be found. The
Munster Commission on Uganda Relationship was appointed and began work in
January 1961 to consider the future form of government best suited to Uganda
and the question of the relationship between the Central government and
other authorities in Uganda and make recommendations.
During its consultations the Munster Commission felt it had to be realistic
and make recommendations that accommodated the demands of those who wanted a
strong central government and those that demanded a federal arrangement. The
Commission recommended that Buganda should have a federal status, reasoning
that For many practical purposes it [Buganda] is federal already. The
Commission further recommended that There should be a division of powers of
a normal federal type, giving some exclusive powers to the central
government and some exclusive powers to Buganda, but leaving some residual
power in the hands of both Buganda and the central government. Specifically
the Munster Commission recommended that the central government should have
exclusive power over foreign affairs, armed forces, and the central police
while Buganda should have exclusive powers over her traditional
institutions, the Kabakaship, the Lukiko etc. Those areas in the residuary
category would be shared between Buganda and the central government.
The relationship of the central government to the kingdoms of Ankole,
Bunyoro and Toro was also discussed. It was observed that the agreements
with Ankole, Bunyoro and Toro with the Protectorate government did not give
them administrative independence of the type given to Buganda. They merely
provide that hereditary ruler shall be recognized so long as he remains
loyal. The Bunyoro Agreement of 1955 requires the rulers government to
follow the Governors advice in all matters and to take instructions from
the District Commissioner. Similar arrangements have long been in operation
in Toro and Ankole. The three kingdoms proposed a federal government to
safeguard each kingdoms customs and institutions and as providing the best
means of clear demarcation between central and local powers.
The Commission noted that given their small population size (Toro with
350,000), Ankole (500,000) and Bunyoro (125, 000), a full federal system
would be too weak and expensive. The Commission recommended a semi-federal
relationship with the central government.
The non-federal districts favored a strong central government. These
districts expressed a strong desire for a strong unitary state, which will
nevertheless encourage the growth of local authorities and look after the
interests of poor and backward districts. Karamoja, a backward district, and
Kigezi, an over populated district, were particularly anxious to be united
with the rest of the country in order to share in its greater prosperity.
These districts did not have the capacity and history for a more or less
independent government such as a federal state or province. However, the
desire to emulate kingdoms and create a level playing field was demonstrated
through the demand for ceremonial heads in those non-kingdom districts,
implying that they didnt rule out a federal arrangement in the future. It
was underscored that Ceremonial heads, within their own districts, might
take precedence over all except the Head of State of Uganda.
Finally, the Commission recommended a federal status for Buganda,
semi-federal status for Ankole, Bunyoro and Toro. For the non-kingdom
districts it was recommended that they be given certain constitutional
rights such as to maintain their district councils and appoint ceremonial
heads.
The Munster Commission recommendations were accepted by independence
negotiators and it was decided that the independence Constitution should
retain Uganda as a unitary state with Buganda enjoying a federal status and
the three kingdoms a semi-federal status.
The Republican Constitution of 1967 fundamentally changed the Independence
Constitution and abolished the federal components and declared Uganda a
unitary state with a strong central government under executive president.
It must be understood that the idea of federalism did not die or become
extinct. It was merely suppressed and remained dormant.
With federalism gaining popularity worldwide to bring countries together as
is being pursued in the East African community or hold them together instead
of seceding as some regions are suggesting in Uganda because of Uganda
central governments failure to deliver adequate goods and services,
Ugandans and not Baganda alone as some have argued are demanding restoration
of a federal system.
Discussions have been taking place in different forums and have now
increased in frequency and intensity since the Odoki report of 1992 revealed
strong support for a federal system of governance. Vigorous discussions have
taken place within UDU and there is strong support for a federal system in
Uganda.
On October 27, 2012, a countrywide conference on federalism took place in
London. It concluded that Uganda should become a federal state within five
years and decided to create a federal technical working committee to consult
widely and make recommendations for discussion at a national convention.
On March 9, 2013 another conference was held in London where a federal
technical Working committee was established with Mr. Jack S. Alecho-Oita as
chairman. It was concluded that the work of the committee should focus on
governance and culture similar to the approach adopted by the Uganda
Relations Commission of 1961 to determine the capacity of constituent units
and protect customs and traditions. Two sub-committees on governance and
culture were created. They will soon work out the terms of reference and
will report as soon as possible. I am a member of the governance
subcommittee. Please let us have your suggestions.
The committee agreed that civic education about federalism is important and
members of the committee should use their comparative advantage to conduct
discussions in this important area.
Given the work I have done already and experience gained I will continue to
participate in federalism debates. I call on other members of the committee
to do the same as well as other interested Ugandans. I thank those that have
made comments on the federalism articles I have circulated. I will respond
in due course.
The chairman of the committee will in due course present members of the
committee that have agreed to serve and the report of the first meeting.
FCWC philosophy is transparency and participation of all Ugandans.
I hope that I have succeeded in dispelling the notion that federalism is a
new idea that may have no chance of success as some commentators have
suggested because they are comfortable with the status quo. Federalism has
been in Uganda since 1900. It was suppressed in the 1967 constitution. NRM
promised to restore federalism but has dragged its feet since 1986 because
it is interested in centralization of power in the office of the president.
In his interview with Observer reporter, Sam Njuba disclosed that Museveni
and Kabaka struck a federo deal in Uganda but Museveni hasnt delivered.
Ugandans must hold him to account.
The people of Uganda are increasingly appreciating the benefits of
federalism as opposed to decentralization or tier arrangements that retain
power in central government under the ministry of local government that
interferes as and when it likes or the decentralized powers can be withdrawn
unilaterally which is not the case in a federal system where the division of
responsibilities is enshrined in the constitution and the central government
cant amend it without concurrence of the constituent unit. We hope that NRM
will join us in these debates. In the next government, federalism should be
the first item on the agenda if not realized under the current NRM
government. We call on political leaders and others to share their views
with the working committee so that they are captured in the report and
recommendations to the national convention.
Thank you for your attention.
--
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We must dare invent the future!
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individuals, the military or otherwise, is to put the people in charge -
Capt. Thomas. Sankara {RIP} 1949-1987
*Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent
revolution inevitable**
*J.F Kennedy
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UAH is devoted to matters of interest to Ugandans and Africans in general.
Individuals are responsible for whatever they post on this forum.To
unsubscribe from this group, send email to:
[email protected] or Abbey Semuwemba at:
[email protected].
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