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Written by Hussein Bogere
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 21:16 |
 The NRM government and Buganda Kingdom agree at least on one thing: Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II should not engage in “partisan politics.” But it became clear during the Lukiiko (Buganda’s Parliament) meeting on Monday that the two sides are at odds when it comes to defining what constitutes partisan politics.
Debating the September 30 private meeting between the President and the Kabaka at State House Entebbe, Lukiiko members opposed any direct talks between the Kabaka and the central government, saying Museveni was dragging the monarch into the murky waters of politics.
Although they said the Kabaka is free to talk to the President about personal issues, Lukiiko members object to Mutebi’s direct participation in discussions on issues such as federalism versus regional tier, the kingdom’s ancestral properties, and the Land (Amendment) Bill, 2007—issues they view as being political.
On the other hand, the central government that has often warned the Kabaka against involving himself in politics appears comfortable with the President directly engaging Mutebi on such political issues.
Buganda Prime Minister (Katikkiro), John Baptist Walusimbi, told the Lukiiko that Kabaka’s participation was simply to soften the ground for real talks.
“Once the two leaders are done, then we, the people, will come in to discuss the finer issues. The Kabaka hasn’t gone to hold talks,” he said.
Monday’s Lukiiko session, which was hurriedly called to discuss the continued closure of the kingdom’s radio station, CBS, was the first since the September riots that killed more than 30 people. Many had hoped that the Katikkiro would brief the meeting about what the Kabaka and Museveni discussed in their closed door meeting at State House Entebbe on September 30.
But Walusimbi remained tight-lipped, saying he was not party to the talks between the two leaders and therefore had no details. That prompted many Lukiiko members to call a stop to such talks. “The Kabaka shouldn’t be left alone because he may be used by the President to achieve his own political motives. What is there to talk about between a cultural leader and a political leader?” asked Joyce Mpanga, the Buwekula County representative.
Most members who spoke reasoned that since the Kabaka is a cultural leader, it is improper for him to discuss politics with the President.
“The Kabaka never involves himself in talks directly. There is a committee in Mengo that is tasked with that and it is that committee that should engage in the talks,” said Joseph Balikuddembe, Buddu County representative.
“For how long will these talks go on? There seems to be no end in sight,” commented Noah Kiyimba, a representative of the youth.
The meeting was, however, inconclusive as neither the Speaker Musa Kaddu Ssemakula, nor the Katikkiro, called for resolutions. A kingdom official said that the Katikkiro had no choice but to toe a middle line.
“He didn’t have anything to do because he has to balance the act with government. You should remember that he is in talks over the opening of CBS. It is only understandable in the circumstances,” he said.
Ssemakula, on his part, said the resolutions would be drafted later. “As you are aware, resolutions in this Lukiiko are reached by consensus and not by show of hands. The Katikkiro will sit with the responsible minister and draft the resolutions,” Ssemakula explained. Walusimbi had earlier outlined the conditions for talks with the government.
The conditions include: the reopening of CBS and Radio Ssuubi, the unconditional release of all people held over the September riots, and making public issues the Kabaka and the President agreed on in their private meeting.
“If the above are put into place, they will go a long way in calming the tensions of the populace as well as encouraging the continuity of the talks between Mengo and the central government, which will be beneficial to Buganda and Uganda,” he said. The Lukiiko also moved a vote of thanks to the Kabaka and the Katikkiro for their steadfast leadership during Buganda’s challenging times, as well as giving a go-ahead for the Buganda Conference slated for December 17.
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