{UAH} The MOU will make matters worse for Buganda

I have seen a copy of the MOU published by the New Vision. It is difficult to read in its entirety because the words "New Vision" have been stamped on the text. But from what I have been able to read, it is a bad deal for Buganda. But it has provided room for Buganda to reject it. Here are some examples for easy reference:

1.     The MOU was signed by President Museveni on behalf of the Uganda government.

2.     The Kabaka signed as a witness. He merely signed as someone who was present and witnessed the signing of the MOU by the president of Uganda whether or not he accepted the MOU.

3.     The text talks about the central government and the Kabaka. It should be the central government and the Mengo administration or Buganda government.

4.     Copies of the MOU should have been provided in English and Luganda languages.

5.     The implementation should be governed by the laws of Uganda and Buganda traditions – not the laws of Uganda alone which might conflict with Buganda traditions.

6.     The committee to implement the MOU should be jointly established by both parties not by the president alone.

7.     It is Buganda that should compensate for developments that have taken place on its properties and not the other way round. The present arrangement will dispossess Buganda of its properties especially land and will formalize occupation of Buganda.

8.     Before entering into force the MOU should be considered first by Uganda Parliament and Buganda Lukiiko.

9.     The MOU is basically about cooperation between the central government and Kabaka in the development of various programs and projects – not specifically about the return of Buganda kingdom properties.

10.                         The MOU has placed the Kabaka personally in the center of Buganda and Uganda politics reminiscent of what happened when the late Kabaka Mutesa II was elected president of Uganda and remained the Kabaka of Buganda.

All in all, the MOU is not a good deal for Buganda and for the Kabaka in particular. The people of Buganda who are sovereign should take the final decision. If implemented as drafted, Buganda will definitely lose and end up worse off than at present. This note supplements what I have already written on the MOU.

Eric