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Written by Hussein Bogere
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:08 |
Yusuf Nsubuga Nsambu’s loathing for the ruling NRM and its leader, Yoweri Museveni, can only be matched by his love for Buganda and the Kabaka.
“By birth, every inch of me, I believe in the Kabaka; it is what has kept me alive,” he said, describing himself. For avoidance of any doubt, his old-fashioned office in the corner of Luwumu Street on Entebbe Road is littered with pictures of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
Angry that President Museveni is undermining the Kabaka’s power by promoting break-away chiefdoms, Nsubuga Nsambu, Buganda’s deputy Katikkiro and Minister of Heritage, Culture and Tourism, openly advocates Buganda’s secession from the rest of Uganda.
“I don’t have the language with which to negotiate with Museveni. I am trying as much as possible to find money so that Buganda secedes from the rest of Uganda because the Land (Amendment) Bill, 2007 is targeting Buganda,” Nsambu said.
“How can our things be taken as we simply look on? Why? I want to remind you that Buganda is a state in itself, which accepted to unite with other states to form Uganda with love. Now that that love is no more, why don’t we ask to secede from Uganda so that we all take our different directions?”
Nsambu is quick to assure non-Baganda that they will not be chased away from Buganda because there have been a lot of intermarriages over the years.
Yet Nsambu thinks that Buganda is “under duress, suppression, oppression and occupation” and that its hospitality and humility has been taken for granted by people who settle in Buganda.
“We are so lenient to our friends who come from outside Buganda. The problem is, once they settle here they become troublesome; they settle on our land and then turn around and attempt to become the bosses. That creates problems,” said the former Member of Parliament for Makindye West. Nsambu represented the same constituency in the Constituent Assembly, which made the 1995 Constitution.
To him, there is no need for an amendment to the land law, a view strongly held by Buganda Kingdom, which has previously argued that the existing law can suffice in resolving conflicts. That view has however failed to convince President Museveni who in fact called for the rapid enactment of the law, mainly to protect squatters from the now rampant mass evictions. Nsambu argues that in there lies the problem.
“Matters of land vary from place to place. In Buganda we have had bibanja but it’s surprising that someone who came here in a disrespectful way must be compensated after 10 years. What pains me is someone coming from outside and imposing himself on us. We should respect each other. All those who come from outside Buganda acquire land freely. How can someone who came without even a busuulu ticket want to be compensated? These people have not reciprocated the respect and humility with which we received them,” said Nsambu, with a wry smile.
Age has obviously played a part in Nsambu’s life, particularly when it comes to speaking his mind. For every controversial statement he made during the interview, the all-gray haired London-trained advocate said he could afford to mention such things because he is way too old. “I am over 60, I will simply thank God”.
Nsambu’s love for Buganda can be traced back to 1966 when he befriended Kabaka Mutesa II who was in exile in Britain. Nsambu had gone to pursue his Bachelor of Laws degree. Upon his return, he joined the Conservative Party.
Nsambu’s favourite subject outside of Buganda seems to be President Museveni, the man whose path he has crossed several times. Nsambu says he has no problem with Museveni the person but rather his style of leadership.
“I want us to have a government that is reasonable. The power Museveni has demonstrated has reached too far. He has even decided to go around Buganda creating kingdoms. Did he find all that when he came here? He is a man who doesn’t want stability. He doesn’t want his gun to be silent at any one time… Imagine such a man saying that he hates me most?” he observed.
The deputy Katikkiro also wants the President to steer clear of land matters.
“I don’t know why Museveni doesn’t leave land matters to lawyers. He is more informed about the military. It appears that whatever he thinks of is what he wants to put into practice. He should pardon me if I have disrespected him, but I get emotional every time I talk about these issues.”
Museveni, Kabaka talks
On the September 30 talks between Museveni and the Kabaka at Entebbe, Nsambu says they are null and void because they were held under duress and in contravention of the Constitution, which bars the Kabaka from participating in partisan politics. He argues that the Kabaka was coerced, threatened with dethronement and his leadership undermined with the creation of smaller kings within his kingdom by the Central Government. The old man leans back, adjusts his glasses and declares that for that, he is ready to drag Museveni to the International Criminal Court.
“He has never apologised, meaning he is determined. What is missing is money. If I get money, I will go to the International Criminal Court because it is non-partisan. He has disturbed Buganda by creating small kingdoms, he is proposing laws that are aiming at taking away our land, he has failed to perform his duties as President. Look at [the poor state of] Mulago Hospital, Makerere University…,” Nsambu lamented. He added that Museveni’s appetite for land appears to be insatiable. “No week passes without him mentioning land,” he claimed.
Although the NRM insists that Uganda has been prosperous over the last two decades, Nsambu disagrees, saying that these have been 24 wasted years.
“How can you make empty promises for more than 20 years and think that you can get away with it? If Ugandans fail to act and vote out Museveni, we shall end up like Yugoslavia or USSR,” he said.
Asked what sort of government he wanted, Nsambu replied: “I want a peaceful and understanding government; that is all”.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:21 |
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