{UAH} BEAT YOURSELF WITH LAUGHTER: Baganda angry with US envoy

Baganda angry with US envoy

News

WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2015 01:08

WRITTEN BY OUR REPORTER

46 COMMENTS

The Kabaka with US Ambassador Scott DeLisi

An innocuous Facebook post by US Ambassador Scott DeLisi has angered subjects of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II, who have demanded an apology for what they described as "belittling" the king of Uganda's largest tribe.

In the post on his Facebook page on January 9,  Ambassador DeLisi revealed that Kabaka Mutebi personally went to the American embassy offices in Nsambya to pick his visa.

"I had the opportunity to speak to His Royal Highness Ronald Mutebi II yesterday [January 8] when he came to the US Embassy to pick up his visa for his travel to the United States," wrote Ambassador DeLisi.

"We share a commitment to supporting Ugandan youth, and I enjoyed our discussion of programmes and opportunities that further promote prosperity in both the US and Uganda, especially for young people."

The comments are accompanied by pictures of Ambassador DeLisi and Kabaka Mutebi sitting and in a discussion, as well as standing side-by-side. However, the post upset many of Kabaka Mutebi's subjects – for stating that he personally went to pick up "a mere" visa.

Commenting on the post, Ssentamu Ssewandagi said: "H.E Scott H. DeLisi, you are right you had an opportunity [to meet the Kabaka], but it's an abuse of culture and an insult to Buganda as an institution to say that our Kabaka came to your office to pick his visa to your country! Let me ask you, did you get a visa to come to Uganda? Was it made public when you went to pick your visa? It's my humble request that you apologise to us the Baganda for publicising private issues!"

Ambassador DeLisi's post drew 254 comments, many protesting that the envoy had publicised the reason for the Kabaka's visit to the embassy.

"If His Majesty insisted on making the trip himself, which I'm almost certain he did, then this post here should have mentioned it," noted Victor Njuki.

US immigration rules require every individual who is not a head of state to personally go to an embassy for vetting before they can get their visa. However, according to a visa guideline on the US Embassy in Kampala website, "The US. embassy in Kampala can waive a personal appearance for many types of diplomatic visas but may request an interview."

Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke was among those who protested against the post. She said the ambassador "should have kept quiet" about the reason the Kabaka had visited the embassy since it has not been normal practice to publicise the names of people who pick visas.

"You may not have been aware that such an act has the possibility of upsetting the Baganda whose culture puts the Kabaka over and above anyone including you.

By insinuating that the Kabaka was seeking clearance from you to travel, you sounded a bit rude especially to ordinary Baganda who believe in the might of their king," said Nambooze, who, however, noted that she was happy the ambassador had spared time to meet the Kabaka.

Some of the people who commented, however, thought the Buganda loyalists were going overboard in their criticism of the US ambassador. In response to Njuki, Christine Lubwa Oryema Lalobo said, "His Royal Highness did not find it offensive to go and meet with Ambassador Scot DeLisi. Why do you underrate and question the judgement of the Kabaka?"

Joseph Runnel Lule said some of the comments reflected how "ill-mannered" some social media users were. Other Buganda loyalists also criticised Ambassador DeLisi for calling the Kabaka "His Royal Highness," rather than "His Majesty."

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Buganda Information Minister Denis Walusimbi said he did not know how the Kabaka's visa applications were handled. 

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

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