CHAIRMEN OF REGIONAL TIER GOVERNMENTS MUST BE POLITICAL LEADERS.
a) Last Saturday H.E the President appeared on MAMBO BADO. This was very exemplary as a leader to dialogue and interact with the general public.
b) The Politics around the Regional Governments in a multiparty Politics is that the most popular political party will win the general elections and the candidate for that party will take the chair of the Regional council or Parliament as the Regional Government may decide.
c) Parliament passed the agreement and made it into law between the two negotiating teams led by the Katikiro of Buganda on Mengo side and Hon. Amama Mbabazi on the central Government side. Without any amendment but included all other Regional headquarters to be municipal councils to give an acceptable terms for Mengo municipality.
d) In the agreement it was agreed and signed by both parties that the head of the Regional Tier will be elected by adult suffrage and the current Katikiro of Buganda signed the agreement.
e) The Regional Government will have political and financial accountability to the tax payers and traditional rulers under article 246 of the constitution can not allow them to be political partisans.
f) The resolution of the heads of clans to scr! een candidates for the head of Regional Government in Buganda is very good and it should be supported by every body, because it ensures that whoever wins the elections has his origin from Buganda and that he knows the norms and culture of Buganda. Although the resolution came after the constitution amendment it can be accommodated later in the first by laws made by the Regional Government of Buganda.
g) It will not be prudent for the Kabaka of Buganda to appoint the Katikiro in the multi party system as the people will always trace back the party of the appointed Katikiro and members of other parties will feel left out and! may reject the appointed Katikiro.
h) This is not going to be the first time Katikiro is elected. Owek. Michel Kintu competed with Owek. Mugwanya and Mugwanya lost. That is why he started DP to oppose the bad policy of only protestant to take the chair of Katikiro. Mayanja Nkangi competed but his opponents withdraw his candidature on the day of elections. It is only Owek. Ssemogerere who was appointed by the Kabaka because Uganda was under the Movement system and there was no active political parties.
i) There is a lot which will be achieved under the Regional Tier. Buganda stand to benefit Buganda for the first time in the last 35 years will came back on Uganda’s map. There are eight services which will be rendered to the people of Buganda and other regions. We shall have a head of the Region and six Ministers all flying Buganda’s flag. Buganda will have a municipality including all the historical sites; Kampala of Central Government will have permanent boundaries. So that it can not expand to include other areas of Buganda. International cities like Washington, DC, New York etc are all like that.
j) At the beginning of the negotiation it was suggested to live Katikio appointed by H.M the Kabaka and to have politically elected chairman of the council. The cultural Katikiro would head heads of clans and Royals and the elected political head would head the elected council but this was rejected.
k) Owek. Kat! ende who is a reknown lawyer explained very well the out come of the negotiations to the great Lukiko at Mengo and Members of Parliament from Buganda. We appreciated the efforts of both parties and agreed to work together and get what was remaining with the central Government but the opposition groups camping at Mengo have continued to fuel negatively those issues to deny president Museveni, Buganda votes but people of good judgment will always see the realities of the time and give Museveni their votes.
By Hon. Henry Mutebi Kityo
Member of Parliament
Mawokota South
Email hidden
Miria promises Buganda federo
EMMANUEL MULONDO
Kampala
THE President of the Uganda Peoples Congress, Ms Miria Obote, yesterday said the party wants a federal arrangement for the whole country and that the Kabaka of Buganda should be left to appoint his Katikkiro.
Miria also expressed readiness to apologise and reconcile with Buganda for the abolition of the kingdom by her husband’s government.
"For its part, the UPC has been preparing to put this unfortunate history behind our back and move on. UPC favours a return to a federal system for the whole of Uganda. Federalism worked well in the past and can still work," Ms Obote told a press conference, the first she has addressed since her election as party president and presidential candidate.
Insist on talks
Her husband and former UPC president Dr Apollo Milton Obote, abolished the kingdom in 1967, after attacking Kabaka Muteesa's palace, forcing him into a London exile where he died.
Flanked by the party vice president, Mr Livingston Okello Okello, secretary general Peter Walubiri, party spokesman Joseph Ochieno among others, Miria said she was "still pursuing" an audience with the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda She agreed that the events leading to the abolition of the kingdom were partly due a "clash between two leaders (Sir Edward Muteesa and the late Dr Apollo Milton Obote) and the fusion of the cultural and political roles of both leaders.
Miria said the party would engage traditional rulers and kingdoms and "look into their aspirations and demands" to ensure a "harmonious co-existence with the government".
President Museveni recently insisted he was against the Kabaka appointing the Katikkiro.
Miria reiterated that "UPC has the confidence that the Kabaka would be in position to appoint a Katikkiro who demands the confidence of all political parties in the Lukiiko and the interest of Buganda and its Bataka (elders)." She called for a national truth and reconciliation commission.
Kampala
THE President of the Uganda Peoples Congress, Ms Miria Obote, yesterday said the party wants a federal arrangement for the whole country and that the Kabaka of Buganda should be left to appoint his Katikkiro.
Miria also expressed readiness to apologise and reconcile with Buganda for the abolition of the kingdom by her husband’s government.
"For its part, the UPC has been preparing to put this unfortunate history behind our back and move on. UPC favours a return to a federal system for the whole of Uganda. Federalism worked well in the past and can still work," Ms Obote told a press conference, the first she has addressed since her election as party president and presidential candidate.
Insist on talks
Her husband and former UPC president Dr Apollo Milton Obote, abolished the kingdom in 1967, after attacking Kabaka Muteesa's palace, forcing him into a London exile where he died.
Flanked by the party vice president, Mr Livingston Okello Okello, secretary general Peter Walubiri, party spokesman Joseph Ochieno among others, Miria said she was "still pursuing" an audience with the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda She agreed that the events leading to the abolition of the kingdom were partly due a "clash between two leaders (Sir Edward Muteesa and the late Dr Apollo Milton Obote) and the fusion of the cultural and political roles of both leaders.
Miria said the party would engage traditional rulers and kingdoms and "look into their aspirations and demands" to ensure a "harmonious co-existence with the government".
President Museveni recently insisted he was against the Kabaka appointing the Katikkiro.
Miria reiterated that "UPC has the confidence that the Kabaka would be in position to appoint a Katikkiro who demands the confidence of all political parties in the Lukiiko and the interest of Buganda and its Bataka (elders)." She called for a national truth and reconciliation commission.
Regional tier is not same as federalism
Wednesday, 21st December, 2005
SIR — An all-inclusive federal system is achievable. On the establishment of federalism in Uganda, the Movement government had the political capital to do so, but lost the golden opportunity to unite the country and to resolve the federo issue for good. The Movement waffled and pushed through some sort of half-baked federo also known as kifederofedero.
Now, the parties (CP, FDC and DP) are promising a much better arrangement — an all-inclusive federal system of governance. Under the regional tier, which the Movement government is offering, the regions are not allowed to write their own constitutions, and, in the absence of taxation powers, are almost entirely dependent on central government transfers.
The tier is simply a modified decentralisation scheme— a top-down approach with the central government dictating the powers and operational limits of the regions hence turning the regions into mere agents of the centre.
The regional tier is clearly not federalism. If the regional tier is such a good thing why is it only being pushed in Buganda? Federalism is not complicated at all.
------------
F. N. Lugemwa
Kampala
SIR — An all-inclusive federal system is achievable. On the establishment of federalism in Uganda, the Movement government had the political capital to do so, but lost the golden opportunity to unite the country and to resolve the federo issue for good. The Movement waffled and pushed through some sort of half-baked federo also known as kifederofedero.
Now, the parties (CP, FDC and DP) are promising a much better arrangement — an all-inclusive federal system of governance. Under the regional tier, which the Movement government is offering, the regions are not allowed to write their own constitutions, and, in the absence of taxation powers, are almost entirely dependent on central government transfers.
The tier is simply a modified decentralisation scheme— a top-down approach with the central government dictating the powers and operational limits of the regions hence turning the regions into mere agents of the centre.
The regional tier is clearly not federalism. If the regional tier is such a good thing why is it only being pushed in Buganda? Federalism is not complicated at all.
------------
F. N. Lugemwa
Kampala
Museveni insists on elected Katikkiro
JUDE LUGGYA
KAMPALA
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has vowed never to support appointment of the Katikkiro by the Kabaka. “I absolutely oppose the Kabaka to appoint the Katikkiro. I repeat, I cannot accept the idea of appointing the Katikkiro,” Museveni confidently said, prompting the audience to boo him.
He was speaking at CBS’s Mambo Bado political talk show on Saturday at Bulange, Mengo. Gloomy expressions covered the faces of people around as they kept murmuring and complaining about his stand.
Museveni said that during negotiations with Mengo officials led by Katikkiro Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, they agreed on an elected Katikkiro, but he was surprised to hear that Mengo had not explained it to their subjects.
Museveni was responding to a request by Deputy Katikkiro Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma and other speakers that he should support the Kabaka to appoint his Katikkiro.
The regional-tier rules under which Buganda’s federo will be managed require that the head of the government, in this case the Katikkiro, be elected. “It is not true that every citizen qualifies to contest for Katikiroship, but those who are eligible are those from the indigenous tribes like the Banyala, Banyankole, Baluli, Banyoro, Bakooki and the Bassese,” he said amidst deafening heckling from the audience. He said those who support the Kabaka to handpick the Katikkiro want to push the Kabaka into an abyss, which is suicidal.
KAMPALA
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has vowed never to support appointment of the Katikkiro by the Kabaka. “I absolutely oppose the Kabaka to appoint the Katikkiro. I repeat, I cannot accept the idea of appointing the Katikkiro,” Museveni confidently said, prompting the audience to boo him.
He was speaking at CBS’s Mambo Bado political talk show on Saturday at Bulange, Mengo. Gloomy expressions covered the faces of people around as they kept murmuring and complaining about his stand.
Museveni said that during negotiations with Mengo officials led by Katikkiro Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, they agreed on an elected Katikkiro, but he was surprised to hear that Mengo had not explained it to their subjects.
Museveni was responding to a request by Deputy Katikkiro Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma and other speakers that he should support the Kabaka to appoint his Katikkiro.
The regional-tier rules under which Buganda’s federo will be managed require that the head of the government, in this case the Katikkiro, be elected. “It is not true that every citizen qualifies to contest for Katikiroship, but those who are eligible are those from the indigenous tribes like the Banyala, Banyankole, Baluli, Banyoro, Bakooki and the Bassese,” he said amidst deafening heckling from the audience. He said those who support the Kabaka to handpick the Katikkiro want to push the Kabaka into an abyss, which is suicidal.
Resolving the Buganda problem
The Buganda problem will remain unresolved until five things are accepted and put in place:
1. A Buganda constitution subject to the national constitution in which the Kabaka is recognised as the titular head or constitutional monarch.
2. A government at Mengo headed by an elected Katikkiro and properly funded.
3. An elected Lukiiko.
4. Recognition of the eighteen counties as the districts of Buganda which will then unite to form a regional tier of Mengo. The present proposed tier is viewed as alien.
5. A system of lower local government based on egombolola (LC3), omuluka (LC2) and ekyalo (LC1).
1. A Buganda constitution subject to the national constitution in which the Kabaka is recognised as the titular head or constitutional monarch.
2. A government at Mengo headed by an elected Katikkiro and properly funded.
3. An elected Lukiiko.
4. Recognition of the eighteen counties as the districts of Buganda which will then unite to form a regional tier of Mengo. The present proposed tier is viewed as alien.
5. A system of lower local government based on egombolola (LC3), omuluka (LC2) and ekyalo (LC1).
46 districts support regional tier
46 districts support regional tier
EMMANUEL MULONDO
Kampala
Fourty-six out of the 69 districts in the country voted in favour of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2, 2005 which provides for cooperation of districts.Daily Monitor has learnt that the exercise of ratification of the Bill was concluded successfully and results returned to the Electoral Commission (EC).
District councils have been voting on the matter which was referred to them last month after the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Ssekandi, asked the commission to oversee the ratification process. Parliament passed the Bill in August.Article 260 of the Constitution requires that amendment of articles to do with local governments be supported by not less than two thirds of all MPs and ratified by at least two thirds of all the district councils in the country. "
So 46 out of 69 districts is I think well above the two thirds required," a source in the Electoral Commission said.The EC Spokesman, Mr Okello Jabweli, said, "The commission was given a task. The results are back. The commission will transmit the results to the Speaker. It's the Speaker to announce the results."
He said he was yet to get the details, but Daily Monitor learnt that some of the districts that declined to ratify included Bundibugyo, Kalangala, Kampala, Kapchorwa, Luweero, Nebbi, Mpigi, Katakwi, Kamwenge, Kaberamaido, Nakapiripirit and Bukwo.
A source said the commission would before the end of the week communicate the results to the Speaker who will announce them to the nation.
The Bill shall now be forwarded to the President for assent. It will then become law, ready for implementation.Districts that decide to cooperate shall be in position to put up a joint administration to handle specified tasks, which shall be funded by the cooperating districts and the central government.
However, the arrangement has been criticised by the Mengo establishment, who view it as watering down of the region's federal quest. Mengo has already sounded itself against the provision to have an elected regional leader (Katikkiro), the financing of the regional government and the administration of land within the region.
"We believe the ratification is not the end of the road. Before the President assents to the Bill, it can always be returned to Parliament for review. A lot of things can be revisited," Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, the Minister in charge of Youth and Cabinet Affairs in the Mengo government, said."
A procedure is there for revisiting it," he said.
EMMANUEL MULONDO
Kampala
Fourty-six out of the 69 districts in the country voted in favour of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2, 2005 which provides for cooperation of districts.Daily Monitor has learnt that the exercise of ratification of the Bill was concluded successfully and results returned to the Electoral Commission (EC).
District councils have been voting on the matter which was referred to them last month after the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Ssekandi, asked the commission to oversee the ratification process. Parliament passed the Bill in August.Article 260 of the Constitution requires that amendment of articles to do with local governments be supported by not less than two thirds of all MPs and ratified by at least two thirds of all the district councils in the country. "
So 46 out of 69 districts is I think well above the two thirds required," a source in the Electoral Commission said.The EC Spokesman, Mr Okello Jabweli, said, "The commission was given a task. The results are back. The commission will transmit the results to the Speaker. It's the Speaker to announce the results."
He said he was yet to get the details, but Daily Monitor learnt that some of the districts that declined to ratify included Bundibugyo, Kalangala, Kampala, Kapchorwa, Luweero, Nebbi, Mpigi, Katakwi, Kamwenge, Kaberamaido, Nakapiripirit and Bukwo.
A source said the commission would before the end of the week communicate the results to the Speaker who will announce them to the nation.
The Bill shall now be forwarded to the President for assent. It will then become law, ready for implementation.Districts that decide to cooperate shall be in position to put up a joint administration to handle specified tasks, which shall be funded by the cooperating districts and the central government.
However, the arrangement has been criticised by the Mengo establishment, who view it as watering down of the region's federal quest. Mengo has already sounded itself against the provision to have an elected regional leader (Katikkiro), the financing of the regional government and the administration of land within the region.
"We believe the ratification is not the end of the road. Before the President assents to the Bill, it can always be returned to Parliament for review. A lot of things can be revisited," Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, the Minister in charge of Youth and Cabinet Affairs in the Mengo government, said."
A procedure is there for revisiting it," he said.
Regional Tier Arrangement
Dear Reader,
The government of Uganda has embarked on introducing regional tier governments in Uganda come July 2006. Some people call this arrangement Kifederofedero - watered down federo - meant to appease the Baganda. They say, this is short of true federalism that will cause more trouble than what we had in 1966.
On the other hand, there are voices that say that this is a good starting point from where more can be demanded. It is utopian to think that true federo would be implemented in one go.
What say you? What do you suggest needs to be done to get to Nirvana?
The Uganda Opposition
Dr. Muwanga-Zake,
There was a time when they pulled themselves together, formed a G6, and demanded certain things from government. The government became so scared that they responded with a Kiyonga Committee. They should have kept on with the G6 idea, as this was keeping the government on its toes. Why did they drop this idea?
It is not possible that Museveni/donors will provide the platform that opposition must have to do their work. They must toil for it, make their hands dirty, be seen to be doing something.
Have you noticed that State House is a law unto itself? It directs whatever it wants, as it has "banned" advertisements from CBS (read Bukedde). Where is the opposition to challenge that? It is no where because many of them are praying to be called by Museveni to become Ministers or such. It's as you say politics of the stomach. So, they have made their bellies their platform of unleashing their pettiness on the taxpayer.
So, how do we move forward. Any ideas?
Cheers, M. Kibuka
==========================================
Federalism is the only way forward
http://www.federo.com
There was a time when they pulled themselves together, formed a G6, and demanded certain things from government. The government became so scared that they responded with a Kiyonga Committee. They should have kept on with the G6 idea, as this was keeping the government on its toes. Why did they drop this idea?
It is not possible that Museveni/donors will provide the platform that opposition must have to do their work. They must toil for it, make their hands dirty, be seen to be doing something.
Have you noticed that State House is a law unto itself? It directs whatever it wants, as it has "banned" advertisements from CBS (read Bukedde). Where is the opposition to challenge that? It is no where because many of them are praying to be called by Museveni to become Ministers or such. It's as you say politics of the stomach. So, they have made their bellies their platform of unleashing their pettiness on the taxpayer.
So, how do we move forward. Any ideas?
Cheers, M. Kibuka
==========================================
Federalism is the only way forward
http://www.federo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
