{UAH} The issue of nations in Uganda remains unresolved

The circulation of 15 Uganda nations has opened a window, calling for their genesis and implications for a mutually acceptable governance system in Uganda since the current one has raised many questions. According to Britain "a tribe was a lower form of political and social organization that, with proper paternal guidance, might one day evolve into a nation". This is the genesis of the concept of a nation and the fifteen nations of Uganda – a colonial creation.   

Accordingly there are many groups that have contested the colonial boundaries and the associated tribes, ethnicities and nations that were demarcated at the expense of clans for administrative convenience. Bahororo of Ankole demanded a separate district before independence but it was denied. Basebei in Bugisu, Bamba and Bakonjo in Toro and Banyoro in Buganda demanded separation. Bantu (Bairu) in Rujumbura rejected Bahororo designation imposed on them by a Nilotic/Tutsi and Hororo chief which has remained in force to this day.  

Banyoro have insisted they were invaded and colonized by Baganda with support of Britain. This is confirmed by Robin Hallett (1974) who writes "In 1894 Bunyoro was invaded by British and Ganda forces and the ruler, Kabarega, driven from his kingdom. The Ganda were rewarded for their part in the victory by a large slice of Nyoro territory, an award that created an issue – the fate of the 'lost counties', destined to trouble Uganda for the next seventy years". The Odoki Report (1992) notes "The colonial power left this 'historic wrong' to be manipulated by a future post-colonial government to isolate Buganda". The separatist feeling among Banyoro has not gone away. To pretend otherwise would not only be unwise but irresponsible as well.

This unsettling colonial situation reminds us of a similar situation in Ethiopia that remains unresolved to this day. Mekuria Bulcha (1988) has written "The foundation of Ethiopia was laid down between 1876 and 1909 through a process of conquest, annexation and subjugation of independent territories and peoples by the armies of Menelik…. The territories were together several times larger than Abyssinia in both area and population, and their peoples differed culturally, linguistically, racially and historically from the conquering Abyssinians… Menelik converted what had been sovereign independent states to the hegemony of one over the rest. It was the work of Haille Selassie to begin the process of consolidation into a unitary empire divided into standardized provinces".  Even with a new federal constitution the problem of colonization remains unresolved.

In Uganda independent clans were lumped together by the colonial administration into artificial tribes, ethnic groups, districts, provinces and nations. Amin tried to resolve the impasse with nine provinces (Northern, West Nile, Western, Southern, Buganda, Central, Busoga, Eastern and Karamoja) and Museveni with over 120 districts but there is no satisfactory answer on the horizon. The colonial and subsequent adjustments remain unsatisfactory for some groups.

Accordingly, the fifteen nations need to be reviewed carefully, comprehensively and transparently by all Ugandans to find a mutually acceptable and lasting solution that can be enshrined in the next constitution.  The champions of the fifteen nations and others interested in this matter should begin the process of consultation and convening a national convention at an appropriate time to settle this matter.  

Eric