OUR PAST AND THE FUTURE: A STRONG BUGANDA WOULD POLICE FUTURE GOVERNMENTS

Before 1966, Buganda had a strong economy, unquestionably stable political system and an independent security force under a federal arrangement. It had virtually all sections of an independent state developed and sound, and capable of standing on its own without assistance from central government. With or without the office of the executive prime minister, it remained stable and unaffected.

It is with the same feeling that Buganda thought as well placed to undermine, tactfully subdue and make Kabaka's authority suffocate the central government's. Even reaching an extend of wanting to evict the central government from what was said to be its territory.

Gestures, as result, were made that directly portrayed Buganda's actions very dangerous to national stability. There, for example, were assassination attempts -which was provoking enough to cause war.

For them to add another insult by fronting the idea of evicting government out of Kampala -as if initiating an African phenomenon of Palestine-Israel conflict, would be simply unacceptable. Surely, no sitting head of government would have looked on rather than defend the integrity elected government.

With the first shot being at Uganda Army troops patrolling Lubiri -in response to intelligence reports that Mengo had been preparing for war, the battle had been sparked off. Several scores of military personnel were killed before Buganda's military secrets were revealed, and a single whip eventually used to end its arrogance.

But for the purposes of obtaining political capital, which many politicians often have had to do in order to guarantee their political success, Buganda's historical roles, were revised to a suitable martyrdom perspective. Buganda has had to be pampered show a different face of Kabaka Edward Mutesa II as no wrong doer or that killed no body in an attempted to overthrow an elected government.

There had to be big sweet-talking moves pledging to restore, firstly; the kingdom, and then its glory. They, consequently, rewrote and retold the whole story to make Buganda government look innocent from what had uniquely unfolded -in regards to responsibility and blame for events leading to the 1966 crisis and kingdom abolition.

In trying to set much deeper rooting of his government by abolishing monarchs after increased termite work from the Mengo, Iddi Amin scandalous activities and uncompromising opposition members of parliament only worsened Apollo Milton Obote's situation.

Obote unofficially lost civilian popularity and power, which prompted him to rely much on the military for political survival. Little did he know it would only send an impression to the military that national affairs, then, fell in their hands, rather than in unpopular head of the state. He became more of a beggar without option, before the then powerful army generals, whom he had to constantly appease to sustain his political life.

With Amin's corruption case at the peak, the greater opposition-member agitation, and insistence to pass vote of no confidence in government, the poor man was left confused. And, attempts to take disciplinary actions against Amin turned out to be a headbutt on the rock.

Since such appeasement would be accorded to whoever had power, and Obote, simply, had lost it, he was somebody just about to be isolated and done away with. Why would someone unpopular to the people, through whom he would derive first hand powers, become dependent on the army to survive, instead of using the occasion to renew his contract with the electorate?

Much as militarization of politics ensued afterwards, political events before 1967 and years later, clearly show showed how influential Buganda was in the political life-cycle of any regime. Obote's regime, as it became, was too weak to help itself out of tormenting political questions originating from 1966 crisis.

The kingdom's cross-generational bitter influence could not spare Amin either. In bid to stabilize his regime, Amin had to concede by starting off the course of Buganda rebirth. To begin with, was facilitating the return of Mutesa's remains to Uganda.

His political insecurities, however, could neither allow national peace and stability nor the complete process of kingdom revival. Throughout the civil war time, the monarch only survived in spirit, until some years when National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) took over power.

To strengthen itself, the NRA/M government had to make major Buganda interests, a priority. Until recently, the other kingdoms too sprung up. They played the hyena role of taking advantage of Buganda kills to live on, as well.

And the trend continues -where Buganda plays the model role or takes the lead for other kingdoms to follow. So when some of them fail to organize themselves as kingdoms, it is likely the that idea remains alien to them, and perhaps could leave it for the architects.

Since its establishment shortly after NRM power take-over, Buganda rapidly developed into a well structured institution -with, for instance; a strong Lukiiko composition – whose strength was periodically sharpened to relentlessly keep pace with kingdom's demands. And it was from the Lukiiko that positive developments were monitored, analyzed, endorsed and enforced.

The focus on land and economics was another, as its “life,” as well as efforts to revive culture -through which solidarity in pursuit of any form of development would be expressed. Similarly, efforts were put on preserving kingship -as the symbol of Baganda's life, where kings mood could have dramatic influences on development, both in Buganda and Uganda.

Since its resurrection in 1987 and confirmation in 1993, Buganda must be proud to have reached a youthful stage. Just as expected of a growing up young man, he would show independent-like behaviors at one point, and, at another, show that the guardian was still needed for continued development.

For instance, when they insisted over federal arrangement earlier, and kabaka's tour of “subsidiary” territories like Nakasongola, they were forced back by government; an order, which they humbly adhered to.

They must have realized, perhaps, that it was not yet ripe for them to act beyond the way they did, but through their Lukiiko's hard core representatives, and those blessed to run for membership to the national parliament, a political point would be made -especially if majority representatives go through in the near future.

Definitely, Buganda interests, as well, could only be guaranteed effectively through politics, where monitoring and control affairs are given an edge. Therefore, it would be a joke to push Buganda out of politics. It is something that they have to contest for, as this would help it finally to grow in totality.

The strong political representation would help pave way for its economic development, stronger step towards cultural revival and above all; its renown pride. The Buganda pride, to other societies in Uganda, was a kind of indigenous colonization – against whom it would asses and manifest intellectual, cultural, economic and political superiority.

The other reference was, “wiseacres” – an act to show that they were above all others intellectually or rather, more civilized. With it, they could not hesitate to demand for even the unthinkable -like telling government to relocate particularly, every after masterminding a bitter conflict.

Too much pride, indeed, took them as far as war with the central government. However, unless otherwise, its pride, in future, could be undermined by the fact that they lack the privilege to own arms -which Obote gave and with drew from them.

But, as the colonial saying went, “power belongs to the one with gun powder,” as potentially an important vein for surviving an imminent political conflict, it could give Buganda another moment of concern and thought. What would be expected for whoever felt his or her path towards cherished goals were blocked?

Of course, one would not rule out the possibility of ferrying in weapons to capture “ebyaffe” by force. It is the most revered source of glory that they very much for. Much of the repetitions of the glorious days and struggles towards it could emerge. But to be reminded, it would not be the first or last. There was Uganda Freedom Movement and some UPDF renegades like Itongwa attempting to revive Buganda's glory.

Indeed, a stronger Buganda, at the level of its most glorious years in history, could destabilize the country, especially when Baganda views turned out to be as extreme as then. But, if it led by moderate Lukiiko – or parliament, a stronger Buganda would help create a helpful system of checks and balances for any group in power.

Waiswa Jacob
Situation Health Analyst
P.O. BOX 8885
KAMPALA-UGANDA
Tel. +256774336277 or 0754890614