{UAH} A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA!

Greetings from Acholi! Its exactly one month since a letter from Acholi to Buganda was posted. I pray this second letter, finds the Kabaka in good health and that all is well in his Kingdom. In Acholi, rainfall is abundant and the soil fertile. It's planting season and so, we are grounded knee deep in the shamba!.

In the aftermath of the Kabaka receiving Buganda's stolen goods from Museveni and in the wake of Bunyoro demanding for what is theirs while the rest of the country look on, it appears that special status is being accorded to some while others are accorded gasia status. It's well known secret in Uganda that Museveni's bread is buttered in Buganda. In fact, this is true since, the days of Luwero triangle to this day. It seem to have Buganda with the old adage that, in politics while you embrace one politician and political party, one should leave room for others. But Buganda seem to have put all its faith in Museveni and the NRM. The danger here is that, while Buganda is accepting with two hands, and taking with two hands from Museveni, what they believe is theirs, which was grabbed by Obote, after the the overthrow of the Kabaka, then what on earth will prevent the so called byaffe from being taken back by Omoding or Mohamed, in years to come? Nothing will prevent that. This because of, lack of due process. In this case, we did not, for instance, hear of parliamentary involvement in both cases of confiscation and return of goods. For this reason i fear that the omission of the parliamentary involvement and due process means that these goods will yet change hands in the future. 

There seem to be something more sinister at work. 

Museveni is one who likes to use people, and in Buganda, he has found very generous people indeed. They did not only sacrifice their lives for him, but with the patience of a crested crane, have ensured and dedicated their vote for his stay in power for the last quarter century at the sacrifice of democracy in Uganda for this very moment of ebyaffe. In a nutshell, Museveni is made in Buganda for Buganda. Times, however, do change and we are seeing Buganda's mussle grow while Museveni's wane. The danger here is that Museveni is becoming aware of this reverse process and for his continued enjoyment and munching of bread buttered by Buganda, he is likely to appease Buganda with the ultimate prize, federalism. Unfortunately for Buganda and Uganda, and because Museveni is so used to dictating without consulting the parliament, Buganda may be handed a federal status without due process. Again Buganda will grab with two hands without due process or Federalism by the back door. This surrender by Museveni and temptation to receive gifts without due process by Buganda, must be resisted. Buganda should see beyond Museveni or any individual for that matter. It should seek the parliamentary, home to Ugandan's representatives, in search for a legal, lasting federal status. They should not accept one from Museveni, the one man band. Because in the future, it will also take a one man band to grab it back from Buganda and this time around, it may take even longer to get it back. I therefore humbly ask the Kabaka to resist handling stolen goods without due process.

We in Acholi, like the rest of Ugandans, have suffered enormously under dysfunctional governments, more so under the NRM. Despite all the human and national resources, good climate and abundant land in the north, we have seen stagnation and waste of resources. We however, want to see due process that will bring long lasting peace to the rest of Uganda. Like Buganda, Acholi cannot wait for transfer of some powers to the regions. We are ready for devolved power in order to reconstruct and build for our people facilities, fit for the twenty first century because Acholi is worth it and has the resource to achieve it!. We want to manage our political process and we want our leaders accountable to the people of Acholi. Like Buganda, we are demanding for federalism. The only difference being that, while the Kabaka is ready to accept one from Mu7, the people in Acholi demand due process and will not accept a "hand me down" federalism from Museveni or anybody else. But from the people and the parliament of Uganda. Accepting any goods including federalism from Museveni, without due process, is like handling and accepting stolen goods from a thieve. Buganda and the Kabaka should resist the temptation and for once, not follow Kikuubo pathway but due process which will involve the participation of all Ugandans. This will result in a lasting peace!

May the Empologoma of Buganda relax with this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2zQl6nYMJM as he slumbers on his rwot onino or tata akoye to consider the advice from Acholi! 

Akim

Tolerance is a stage in civilisation!

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