"Museveni Must Go" -Baganda Diaspora

A gathering of about 400 Baganda meeting in Boston, Massachusetts over the weekend, for what was dubbed the "Buganda emergency meeting," has resolved that Uganda must adopt the federal system of Government. The group also resolved to establish mechanism through which they will work towards the removal of the NRM regime from power and establish a genuine Democracy.  The resolution specifically stated that "we unanimously agree that Museveni and his regime must go; and resolve to establish a mechanism of selecting a Muganda presidential candidate. In addition we reject the 2011 electoral process under the current structure."

The above resolutions are part of a dozen resolutions which were reached after a 13 hour long marathon meeting attended by the former Katikiro of Buganda Daniel Muliika. Other notables at the meeting were MP Nakawuki and Mr. Abed Bwanika.

"Federalism is a right which cannot be negotiated for or against," said Dr. Mubiru Musoke a human rights lawyer's resident in Boston." Amidst cheers and ululations, speaker after speaker insisted that all Baganda must come together and participate in the "liberation" of Buganda.  Mubiru opined that Uganda under Museveni has violated the international law and NRM leaders should be brought to book for committing crimes against humanity.

Addressing the meeting which saw Ugandans come from all states in America and delegates from Canada and England the former Katikiro of Buganda, Daniel Mulika appealed to Baganda to tirelessly work for Buganda and uplift it from the domination it is experiencing in the current days. Muliika challenged those who say that Buganda had reached an agreement and accepted the regional tier to produce such an agreement. "I would like to tell you that I received all the instruments from my predecessor, Hon. Joseph Ssemogerere, there was no document indicating that Buganda ever accepted the regional tier... this thing was discussed and rejected by the Lukiiko on three occasions."

Muliika cautioned the opposition to bee keen on system building other than going in for change just for its sake. "We must examine our history and understand who the stake holders are, and then consult with these stake holders, who must include the original 15 political regional entities if Uganda is to move forward." Muliika said that the government of Uganda is hoodwinking the Banyoro that Buganda is there enemy, while the "Banyoro are looking at Buganda, their oil wealth is being siphoned off. Muliika accused the governments with carrying out a calturated divide and rule policy.

Muliika told the meeting that the 2011 elections bare no hope for Uganda because the system under which they are being organized is individualized. Muliika said that the main problem with Uganda is that it is run on "personal policies instead of a structured system". Muliika joined other speakers in insisting that the Kabaka should not be involved in direct negotiation with the president. "The talks should be institution to institution; I see a danger by luring the Kabaka into talks, and having him the next accused of participating in partisan politics."

In its final resolutions the meeting unanimously agreed that "Museveni and his regime must go; and resolve to establish a mechanism of selecting a Muganda presidential candidate. In addition we reject the 2011 electoral process under the current structure."

Addressing the same meeting Dr. Abed Bwanika called for unity among those who are opposed to Museveni. He said that if we do not unite we will find it difficult to dislodge the dictatorship in Uganda.  Quoting from the constitution said that traditional leaders are only barred from participating partisan politics not politics in general. "There is no way one can be a Kabaka without participating in politics, because the institution is inherently political.' Bwanika said. He said that the individuals who have been arrested since the uprising in Buganda are in thousands. Bwanika said that the government security agencies are continuing to arrest people who are being taken to unknown locations. Bwanika said that many politicians in Uganda do not fear being arrested but it is the fear of the end results of the detention like what is happening to Betty Nambooze. He asked those present to reach out and help the opposition parties in Uganda.  "Museveni no longer has roots and the winds will soon blow the NRM over," Bwanika said.

Lt. Frank Musisi in his address to the gathering said that Uganda is a "failed state because it cannot afford the basic and simple essential needs of Ugandans."  Musisi said that it is sad that the government can afford to spend almost half a million dollars to take over UNAA, whereas there is no medicine in the hospitals all over the country. The former UNAA president said that the NRM government is not only destroying Buganda's culture, but it is also destroying its environment. He gave the example of the near extinction moneys from Ssese Islands resulting from the government of reckless investors supported by the government. Musisi said that parcels of lands once invested in the commons are being given away by the government to dubious companies owned by mysterious people.

Mr. Tendo Kaluma, a resident of Boston for 30 years appealed to Baganda to understand that Buganda is a diverse kingdom which brings together many people of "different looks" who should not just be rejected unless they do not saw commitment to its cause.  Another lady caused the meeting to hold its breath when she announced that though she is of Rwandese ancestry; she is A Muganda and people must stop pointing fingers at her. "I was born in Buganda, only been to Rwanda once, where I was rejected for being a Muganda, now if you reject me where do you want me to go?" The lady, who said that she had driven 400 miles with her children to attend the meeting to show her love for Buganda, said emotionally.  The former secretary for Youth In UNAA, Moses male responded by telling the audience that "we should have a broader outlook because there are Baganda who are treating Buganda as an anathema whereas there are people who are settlers in the region who are committed to our cause, we should embrace them and reject the Baganda traitors."

Speaking on corruption Bwanika said that this has its roots in privatization. The meeting was told that all the privatized corporations have ended up being owned by the ruling inner circle.

Opening the meeting the chairman of Gwanga Mujje-Boston, John Buwembo told the meeting that the time for cowardice is over.  Buwembo said that that those in the Diaspora should work and contribute to the rescue of those who are detained and are seeking court bail.

Prof. Lugemwa who spoke on the need for Federalism argued those present to insist on inculcating cultural values and love for Buganda among the youth. Lugemwa said that without the devolution of power to regional entities, it will be impossible for democracy to take root in Uganda.

Former Editor of the Citizen and Munnansi news papers, Kiwanuka Nsereko, who is also the Chairman of DPUSA, addressed the meeting on the importance of the Media in strengthening Democracy. He criticized Bukedde Newspaper for its "near pornographic publications which has continued to dilute the values of Baganda."  Kiwanuka said that the reason the government is restricting the media is intended to keep Ugandans in darkness. Kiwanuka said that NRM's record shows that they never liked to have an enlightened country as evidenced by the fact that education was not even included in the ten point program. In its final resolutions the meeting also resolved to boycott the state owned Media.

Nsibambi, Bukenya, Ssekandi named as "enemies"

Speaking at the same meeting Mr. Remigio  Kintu warned that those who have acquired land in Buganda through fraudulent means will lose it once the government changes. Kintu told Baganda to evaluate themselves and deal with the "in-house problem of traitors." The audience shouted back a number of names including that of the Vice president of Uganda, Gilbert Bukenya, Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi, and the speaker of parliament Edward Ssekandi. Kintu said that the government is attacking Buganda with because of its wealth and cultural heritage.

At the end of the meeting twelve resolutions were passed. The resolution included a commitment to raise funds to support efforts of regime change in Uganda. The meeting also resolved to encourage all Ugandans to start some kind of a crime's diary where all acts of those violating people rights should be documented for the purpose of future prosecution.  The meeting agreed to establish a committee to work on taking the NRM leadership to the international courts of law for the continued abuse of people rights.

The Baganda also resolved to Outreach to other Ugandan ethnicities with a view to making alliances to advance the cause of Democracy and Federalism.  Those present were encouraged to attend the upcoming Gulu Walk events on October 24^th, 2009 to show solidarity with the suffering people of Northern Uganda. The meeting unanimously rejected the regional tier systems in its resolutions.

The other resolutions were to advise the Kabaka not to directly contact Museveni, his government or agents of the NRM regime personally for talks.  Take the necessary steps to fundraise in order to finance the necessary activities to realize change and establish a genuine democracy in Uganda.

THE RESOLUTIONS

Preamble:-

Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICFSCR), guarantee the right to self determination of all people;

Convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the NRM government has violated fundamental human rights;

Saddened by the gross, unjust and inefficient governance inflicted on the people of Uganda by the NRM regime;

Realizing that Unity is essential to achieving our collective objectives;

Determined to rid Uganda of bad governance, dictatorship, and corruption;

Condemning strongly the NRM government's continued interference in the running of independent institutions and intrusion into the running and electoral process of organizations of Ugandans in the Diaspora;

We hereby earnestly resolve as follows:-

1.    Establish structures to analyze and determine the resources needed to achieve our objectives.

2.    Advise the Kabaka not to directly negotiate with Museveni, his government, or agents of the NRM regime.

3.    Take appropriate steps to fundraise in order to finance the necessary activities to lead to change and the establishment of genuine democracy in Uganda.

4.    Pursue all legal channels that are useful in achieving our objectives including, but not limited to, international legal action.

5.    Educate the International community about the true political situation in Uganda through demonstrations on a regular basis and lobby work at the New York UN headquarters, Washington DC, and other major cities in the world.

6.    Boycott, effective immediately, all government media and other anti-Buganda entities.

7.    Intensify civic education of the people about the problems and possible solution to the problems being faced by Buganda.

8.    Reach out to other Ugandan ethnicities and groups with a view to making alliances to advance the cause of Democracy and Federalism.

9.    Expose government spies, informers, and traitors-- and record their illegal activities within and outside Uganda for the purpose of future prosecution.

10.  Seek better Medical treatment for Mrs. Betty Nambooze Bakireke.

11.  Reject (unanimously) the Regional Tier as a form of governance in Uganda.

12.  Agree that Museveni and his regime must go; and resolve to establish a mechanism for free and fair elections.