OTHER REGIONS ARE NOT BUGANDA’S CONCERN!

By Salongo Emmanuel Muwanga

SIR— For quite sometime, several people have expressed opinions against Buganda’s proposals, especially on federo (federalism). Sam Stewart Mutabazi in the guest writer’s column of your August 24 edition, page 11, makes a number of arguments. Firstly, he says although federo will uplift Buganda, only Buganda will gain from this type of governance while the rest of Uganda has everything to lose. Secondly, he argues that the federo agitators in Buganda are not “nationalistic” because they don’t explain its effect on the rest of Uganda. I wish to emphasize that Uganda is not a nation and nationalism should not be seen in Uganda’s context only but in the context of the nations that make up the state of Uganda. When Baganda urge for federo, they are fighting for their nation, Buganda. How federo affects the other regions (Mutabazi seems to suggest economic effect), is not the responsibility of Baganda but of the people s of these other regions. All regions should strive to uplift themselves, and the earlier they realise this, the better. Thirdly, Mutabazi argues that federo can’t ensure that resources flow from richer Buganda to poorer regions. Now, does Buganda owe these other regions a living? What right do the poor regions so-called have to milk Buganda for their own development? Fourthly, Mutabazi says Mengo is not explaining the role it wants the Kabaka to play under federo. In my view, the Baganda know the role they want the Kabaka to play. Non-Baganda like Mutabazi should not be bothered because the Kabaka will never have power in their regions save only in Buganda. When I read opinions like those of Mutabazi and many more, I come to the conclusion that all other regions want to be parasites on Buganda and that Buganda should be milked in order to develop other regions. That is the main cause of the hatred towards Buganda. The scenario is not sustainable, a t least in the long term.

Salongo Emmanuel Muwanga Ndejje - Kyaddondo Wakiso District
Published on: Saturday, 4th September, 2004