{UAH} A word of caution to Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II

I have not seen the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Mengo administration and Museveni (not central government) regarding the return of Buganda kingdom properties and federo that were lost following the abolition of the 1962 Uganda constitution. Accordingly we urge that the MOU be published without further delay to avoid speculation which could produce unintended outcomes.  

I wish to advise that Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II and/or his advisers take a look at what happened to Kabaka Mutesa II (RIP) when he began to negotiate constitutional and administrative reforms with Governor Andrew Cohen. The Lukiiko was unhappy and opposed him.

What saved him was a statement made by a colonial official in London to the effect that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda could form a political federation dominated by white population in Kenya. Mutesa II opposed it and declined to discuss with the governor any constitutional changes because he was not prepared to sacrifice the interests of Buganda even after the governor had assured him that a federation was not in the works.

The governor responded by exiling the Kabaka to Britain, a decision that united Baganda and the entire nation and opposed it, making the Kabaka very popular and closed any prospect of being replaced.

After independence, the Kabaka again ran into problems with the central government. Being Kabaka of Buganda and president of Uganda created a conflict of interest particularly regarding resolution of the Lost Counties question. The Kabaka was drawn into Uganda politics and could be criticized like any other Uganda politician.

The defeat of Buganda in the Lost Counties referendum contributed to the rupture of the UPC/KY political coalition, leading to the constitutional and political events of 1966/67 and abolition of the kingdom and loss of its properties as well as federo.

What we are witnessing in Kabaka Mutebi II's signing the MOU is more or less reminiscent of what happened to Kabaka Mutesa II. Kabaka Mutebi II who is a traditional leader of Baganda and therefore above politics has been drawn into Buganda and Uganda politics by signing the MOU (as reported by Katikkiro Mayiga during an impromptu press conference) with the president of Uganda (although others reported that it was Museveni alone who signed the MOU). He is no longer above politics and is subject to criticism like any other Buganda and Uganda politician.

By restricting return of Kingdom properties to those lost after the overthrow of the 1962 constitution, the grievances of others that have lost their properties especially land in the Luwero Triangle since NRM came to power have not been addressed as if Mengo administration hasn't been listening to concerns that Buganda is under occupation which is broader than lost properties in 1967 and needs to be corrected in part by returning land, money and properties Baganda have lost since 1967.

The theme of Ttabamiruka at this year's conference in USA "Is Uganda under occupation?" says it all. If Mengo turns a deaf ear to this burning issue, the Kabaka who is reported to have personally signed the MOU (not the Katikkiro) will likely be drawn into controversies with unhappy consequences.

What we are hearing and reading including from Baganda about the MOU does not bode well for the Mengo administration. It is not clear what the position of Lukiiko on this subject is.

To ease the potential tension the MOU should be published immediately and the public make comments on it that might guide the Mengo administration on the way forward. A communiqué of the three hour meeting between President Museveni and Katikkiro Mayiga, Prince David Wasajja and Herbert Ndiwalana should also be published.

The public and in particular Baganda that are already celebrating should also be advised that the MOU does not mean that the properties have been returned but that Museveni (not the central government) has agreed to enter into negotiations about the return of Buganda properties. This doesn't necessarily mean that the properties will be returned or returned soon especially when the kingdom may be requested to provide proof of ownership which could be tricky in the absence of written records.

The thorny issue of Banyala and Baruli who it is reported the Kabaka agreed to respect and allow to practice their culture (including having their separate kingdoms) might complicate the equation reminiscent of the Lost Counties whose loss in a referendum led to the resignation of Katikkiro Michael Kintu, rupture of the UPC/KY political coalition and the overthrow of the 1962 constitution and abolition of Buganda kingdom, among others.

That this matter is becoming interesting, I have been requested to talk about the MOU again on the English program of Radio Munansi this weekend.

These are the views of an outside observer that might help in discussing the way forward.

Eric Kashambuzi