Fwd: {UAH} A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA!

                                                                                           Monday 21 July, 2014

Dear Reader,

My name is Beti Olive Kamya, currently serving as President of Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), a political party operating in Uganda since 2010. Our short-term objective is to ensure change of Uganda's governance system from unitary to federalism, because we believe it is the most equitable system for a country of Uganda's anatomy, character and history.

During the 2011 General Elections in Uganda, I contested for the position of President of Uganda, along with seven other contestants. I was the self-proclaimed, flag-bearer of federalism.

A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA

My attention has been drawn to "A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA" by an anonymous writer, currently circulating on the net. In summary, the letter says that Acoli is rethinking her traditionally negative stand on federalism and that an Acoli federal conference whose main objective will be to mobilize Acoli to embrace federalism, is in the offing.  S(he) further proposes the Northern Federal State consisting of Acoli, Lango, West Nile, Teso & Karamoja. S(he) then argues that Buganda can (or should) no longer champion federalism, for reasons well argued, and that therefore, Acoli will assume the role.

It is to this letter that I am responding. However, in order to appreciate my response, one needs to read "A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA", which is available at the end of my statement.

THERE IS AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN FOR FEDERALISM IN ACOLI & NORTHERN UGANDA

Contrary to what the writer seems to think, a lot of work promoting federalism has been done in Acoli, so it will not be necessary to break any ground because this has been done, but to join the team(s) that already started this work.

Indeed, some of the most articulate ideologues on federalism that I know are sons of Acoli Ambassador Olara Otunu, his brother Dr Obonyo Olara, Hon Norbert Mao and the Uganda Federal Alliance Chairman for UK Chapter Akim Odong . Both Olara Otunu and Norbert  Mao's manifestos espoused federalism as their choice governance system.

In Dec 2012, Uganda Federal Alliance launched the drive for a national referendum to adopt federalism and incorporate it in the Constitution of Uganda, in Lira Municipality. Hon Mao, who was Chief Guest and Hon Isha Otto attended several radio talk shows, explaining the essence of federalism in Luo.

During the 2011 General Elections, Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) fielded five (5) candidates to contest for the position of MP in Acoli region, including the Party Vice President Boniface Oniba who stood in Kilak County. The party also fielded contestants for district and sub county councilors.

In Lango, UFA   fielded candidates to contest for MP for Apac, Aleptong, Kyoga, Amolatar and Dokolo as well as contestants for councillorship for Oyam, Apac, Lira, Otuke, Amolatar .

In Teso, UFA fielded candidates to contest for MP for Kumi Woman MP, Kumi male MP, Ngora, as well as local council councilors for Bukedea, Ngora, Kumi, Serere and Kaberamaido.

In Karamoja, UFA fielded candidates for MP and councilors for Kotido, Kaabong  and Abim

In West Nile, UFA fielded candidates for MPs and Councilors for Youth Northern, Zombo, Yumbe & Adjumani.

The Chairman of my National Taskforce for the Presidential Campaigns during the 2011 General Elections was Maj. (Rtd) Acikule Noah from Yumbe.  

In all, UFA, waving the flag of federalism fielded a presidential candidate (your truly), and 43 other federalism flag-bearers  in Northern Uganda and actually won 15 councilorships. It is for this matter that I write to advise the author of "A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA" that a lot of work on federalism has been done in Acoli and to ask him/her to join the ongoing effort, instead of beginning something new.

ON BUGANDA

There was no need to address this letter to Buganda because Buganda is not in charge of this country. The institution to address for any grievances or proposals is the Govt of Uganda. Buganda does own federalism so if Acoli does not agree on how Buganda is managing the federal question, they are free to take another route.  I  agree that Buganda mismanaged the federal question by Bugandanizing it, almost to the exclusion of other communities, thus earning it the negative label of "A Buganda thing". However,  Uganda Federal Alliance has not only de-Bugandanize the concept but also Ugandanized it. I think it will be equally wrong for Acholi to "Acholinize" or "Northernize"  federalism, the way "A LETTER FROM ACHOLI TO BUGANDA" seems to suggest.  For that matter, federalism needs to be championed by a non-tribal entity like Uganda Federal Alliance, which handles it as a purely economic and governance concept, free of partisan emotions.

THE ACHOLI CONFERENCE ON FEDERALISM

I would give a lot to be invited, as a presenter, to the Acoli Conference on federalism.

HOW TO GET FEDERALISM

Article 1(4) of the Constitution of Uganda provides for Ugandans to express their will and consent on HOW they wish to be governed through referenda and WHO they wish to govern them through elections. Article 255(1) provides for the citizens' right to demand for referenda ON ANY ISSUE. The Referenda And Other Provisions Act of 2005 provides for management of referenda. So if Ugandans wish to change their governance system from unitary, which I agree is exploitative from design to implementation stage, to federalism, the process is clearly laid out for us by our laws.

CONCEPT NOTE ON WHY UGANDA SHOULD GO FEDERALISM AND HOW TO GET THERE

I have taken the opportunity of this correspondence to attach Uganda Federal Alliance's Concept Note on why federalism is the way for Uganda and how to get there. I hope you can find the time to read it.

Thank you,

Beti Olive Kamya

PRESIDENT

UGANDA FEDERAL ALLIANCE (UFA)

 

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