WHEN THE REST OF UGANDANS REJOICED OVER 'OBOTE'S' 1966 ATTACK ON BUGANDA

 

NOTE FROM EDITOR - This post likely has some minor grammar errors, which will be corrected after the Pandemic. MLN

By CHANGE OF GUARDS

Before the advent of colonialism in the late 1890s, Buganda Kingdom had existed as an independent country for over 500 years.  It was the largest, wealthiest and most strategically placed in the region.  It's advanced civilisation afforded it a special treatment from the British colonialists.  Through their indirect rule system, the colonialists registered the support of Buganda and the Baganda people in colonising other regions that came to form the present day Buganda.  Consequently, Buganda's position of unrivalled superiority had earned it preferential treatment throughout the colonial period.  Owing to its location as the seat of the capital of what came to Uganda, obviously it had to be developed economically and politically at the expense of other regions.  Buganda and the Baganda spearheaded and bore the brunt of the struggle for independence.  On October 4, 1960 the Buganda Lukiko passed a resolution for Buganda's independence that had been scheduled for December 30, 1960.

The 1962 Independence Constitution granted Buganda a full Federal status while the other four Kingdoms were granted a semi-federal status and the rest of the non kingdom entities were to be governed under a unitary system.  The Buganda political party KY entered into an alliance with the UPC that culminated into the winning of the pre-independence general elections.  UPC's Obote became the executive Prime Minister while the Kabaka of Buganda became the ceremonial President.  The UPC/KY alliance was terminated in August 24, 1964 and the following day the controversial Referendum Bill on Bunyoro's Lost Counties was tabled.  The outcome of that referendum in which Buganda lost the two counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi back to Bunyoro was the turning point in relations between Buganda and  the central government.  On February 24, 1966, Onote suspended  Mutesa from the Presidency.  Around early April, Obote arrested four cabinet Ministers, replacing the Army Commander Brig. Opolot with Col. Idi Amin, suspended the 1962 Constitution, accused the Kabaka/President of treason and downgraded the status of Buganda to bring it in line with the status of the other Kingdoms.  On April 15, 1966 a new constitution that came to be known as the Pigeon Hole Constitution was adopted by parliament without debate.  

Prime Minister Obote assumed the Presidency of Uganda.  The Buganda government appealed to the UN Secretary General.  The rest of the country who had all along resented Buganda's  special position didn't care what had befallen Buganda.  The anti Baganda clergy within the Anglican community and in particular it's head Bishop Eric Sabiiti whose congratulatory note was challenged with questioning if it had been approved by the Synod.  In Parliament, Abu Mayanja's questioning of the Obote's suspension of the Constitution was silenced by Minister Cuthbert Obwangor from Teso who argued that the government "could not just see Buganda tearing the country apart and look on." The Rutakirwa of Kigezi, John Bikangaga congratulated the Prime Minister for "such a brave stand against Buganda." The Bunyoro Kingdom Rukurato deplored "the act of some people which were designed to overthrow the elected government" and re-echoing its "support for the Prime Minister for the actions" he had taken to "counter the "danger to Uganda."

The Lango District Council passed a resolution in support of the measures taken by the Prime Minister to "quell the Rebellion in Buganda."  The Kigezi District Council saw the act by the Prime Minister as "a brave and wise move to "save the dignity and a d status of our constitutional leaders." The Eishengyero of Ankole Kingdom supported the Prime Ministers action while the Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister) of Tooro Kingdom described the new constitution as "suitable and tuned to the needs of the country."  More congratulatory messages came from other regions and civil society groups like the Moslem's NAAM, trade unionists and the youth.  Interestingly, regions like Acholi, Teso and West Nile just keep silent over the unfolding events. The Buganda Lukiiko reacted by issuing an ultimatum for the central government to leave Buganda soil.  The central government sent in troops to attack Mutesa's palace resulting in the 1966 Buganda Crisis that saw Mutesa flee to exile where he died three years later.  In September 1967, a new Republican Constitution was enacted that abolished all the five kingdoms of Uganda.  What had started as a Buganda affair had now affected all the Kingdom areas.  

For obvious reasons, Buganda jubilated when Iddi Amin overthrew Obote in 1971.  The Iddi Amin regime targeted the Langi and Acholi ethnic communities.  When Iddi Amin was overthrown, the UNLA targeted the ethnic communities from his West Nile region.  Museveni exploited the historical Baganda hatred for Obote during his sectarian Bush War (1981 - 1986).  When Museveni's NRA took power in 1986, a sectarian conflict ensued between the North and his government that lasted 20 years. The rest of the country was not bothered by what the Acholi we're going through.  When Museveni turned his guns on the Bakonjo in the Rwenzori region a few years ago, the rest of the country was not bothered.  His guns are now facing Buganda and the rest of the country seem not to be bothered.  History doesn't repeat itself but men repeat their actions.  

INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM