Federo giving government sleepless nights!

News February 13, 2007
Government plans to oust Mengo team - Kiggundu
JUDE LUGGYA
KAMPALA

MEMBERS of the Buganda Forum, a cultural pressure group, alleged yesterday that they had unearthed a plot by the Central government to oust the Mengo establishment and throw the monarchy into a crisis similar to that of 1966. Buganda Forum champions mainly Buganda’s interests.

The members led by their chairman Sulaiman Kiggundu told journalists in Kampala yesterday that they had learnt that the plot to oust the Mengo team was being pushed by State House.

Dr Kiggundu (right), who is also the national chairman of the opposition FDC, said several meetings had already been held.

The Minister for the Presidency Beatrice Wabudeya, however, dismissed the claims yesterday as a concoction. “All those meetings in State House are just somebody’s imagination. Why should we be concerned about Buganda only. The Batoro, Banyoro etc have kingdoms too,” she said.

Dr Kiggundu said the meetings are largely meant to lay strategy for weakening the Mengo establishment.

He said the meetings that have been held in State House and several other venues have taken place since June last year.

Dr Kiggundu said several central government ministers; their colleagues in the Mengo government, former Mengo ministers, Buganda elders and some employees in various Mengo institutions have attended the clandestine meetings.

He produced a September 28, 2006 correspondence from the Principle Private Secretary to the President Amelia Kyambadde inviting the Vice President Gilbert Bukenya to one of the meetings to discuss the Buganda Lukiiko.

Reads the letter; “This is to inform you that H.E the President will chair a meeting on Friday November 10, 2006 on the above subject [Buganda Lukiiko] at State House Nakasero.”

“By copy of this letter, relevant people have been informed. The protocol officer will communicate the exact time of this appointment through your Principle Private Secretary,” Mrs Kyambadde’s letter reads.

“We have been saddened that it was resolved in these meetings that the Kabaka sacks his Katikkiro Dan Muliika so that a weaker person is appointed to replace Muliika. The preferred person is one who would nod as the Kabaka’s Kingdom is destroyed,” Dr Kiggundu said.

“Mr Muliika is regarded by the Central government as a stumbling block to the regional tier system of government. He [Muliika] has re-energised Buganda’s quest for federo. Even other areas like Acholi have seen the advantages of federo which is giving the government sleepless nights,” he said.