Richard Semitego, Chairman - Uganda Federal Front (Photo by Hendigo)
By Henry D Gombya, Managing Editor
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been accused of using the Baganda as a stepping stone to power and then abandoning them as soon as he had attained his goal. Mr Museveni who came to power in 1986 after a long guerrilla war mainly principally fought in the jungles and forests of Buganda is said to have made specific promises to Uganda’s leading tribe, the Baganda, whose kingdom had been made desolate by former Ugandan President Apollo Milton Obote in 1966.
In an exclusive interview at the weekend with The London Evening Post, the Chairman of a newly-formed Ugandan opposition movement, the Uganda Federal Front (UFF) Mr Richard Semitego, whose father Charles Mukwaya was hacked to death by the army during Obote’s leadership in the 1980s for hiding Museveni from the Obote soldiers, said many families in Buganda helped feed, hide and look after the then rebels led by Museveni’s National Resistance Army (NRA) after he had promised them that once he came into power he would restore a federal system of government in Uganda and get rid of dictatorship from the country.
This undertaking was allegedly made by Museveni at a meeting held in Kikunyu in Buganda. This village is held in awe by many NRA fighters who see it as the place that helped them mount a successful guerrilla war against the Obote regime. The formation of the UFF was announced last week here in London by the Baganda in the Diaspora who last November gave the Museveni government an ultimatum to give Buganda and other regions in Uganda full federal status as recommended by the 1993 Odoki Report
Semitego revealed that his grandfather Seemu Kabugo had gone out of his way to help hide Museveni and his fighters and had assisted in making it possible for the NRA to get a foothold in Buganda as they mounted their war against the Obote government. He said his grandfather often referred to Museveni as his son
The four demands then made by the Baganda in the Diaspora were:
(a) To give Buganda and other regions of Uganda full federal status as recommended by the Odoki report
(b) To pay Buganda UgShs22 billion (approximately £5.7 million) in rent arrears the Uganda government owes Buganda Kingdom
(c) Release with immediate effect all those imprisoned without charge after the Buganda demonstrations in September 2009 and
(d) For the Uganda Government to stop rampant corruption, nepotism and the marginalisation of sections of Uganda.
Mr Semitego thanks. For me I think that [this] party need to be launched here in Uganda. I am behind you.
Demonstration against Ttabamiruka Boston USA 2012 on August 31 and sept 1 2012 on 606 congress street infront of Renaissance Boston water front hotel the host hotel ,bring your fire against ttabamiruka who dropped “omulamwa” when the Buganda Kingdom is perishing, all they come up with is ” clan dancing competition, who bewitched the ganda tribe.We should send them a message loud and clear, that next time, “omulamwa” should be the prioty. We shall take photos of all the attendees and publish them across world labelled as Baganda traitors we are the die-hards of Buganda Kingdom. Ffe Twakoowa NRM Baganda Revolution .Check out a youtube video titled: Baganda traitors bursted
Mr.SEMITEGO WHATEVER HAD PROMSED m7 TO THE BAGANDA WAS TO RESTORE THE KINGDOM AND I THINK HE DID IT.WHAT EVER ELSE HE HAS TO REFER TO ALL OTHER UGANDANS INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE ANTI FEDERALS OR ANTI MONARCHISTS AS THINGS GO TO DAY IN UGANDA WE SHOULDN’T FORGET THAT OTHER UGANDAN REGIONS ARE STILL FAR BEHIND IN SO MANY WAYS THAT SUGGESTING THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT OR GIVE MORE MONEY TO BUGANDA MIGHT WAKE UP THE OLD TRIBALISTIC ANTAGONISM. KINGDOMS SHOULD BE TREATED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS CHURCHES .THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO UPHOLD THEM ON THE SCENE ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE. M7 MADE THE SAME MISTAKE AS IDI AMIN IN 1971 PROMISING THE RESTORATION OF FEDERALISM. WE ARE A REPUBLIC AND SUPPOSED TO HAVE AND SHARE THE SAME CENTRALISED POWER. WHAT DOES THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT CHANGE OR DOES FOR THE AMELIORATION OF THE CITIZEN’S LIFE ONE DAY YOU WILL REALISE THAT THE MONEY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTED TO BUILDING SCHOOLS, DISPENSARIES OR REPARE OUR ROADS WAS WASTED ON THE SURVIVAL OF OUR NIGHTMARES WHO DIVIDE US . HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE OUR PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE CITIZENS OF AFRICA IF WE UNABLE THEM TO TAKE OFF THE FLIGHT AND CONSIDER THEMSELVES AS UGANDANS SIMPLY. M7 KNOWS THE MISTAKE HE DID AND I DON’T THINK THAT HE WILL EVER GO FURTHER TO THAT POINT UNLESS IF HE WANTS THE DISUNITY OF UGANDANS. I AM A TRUE MUGANDA AND I CAN EVEN SAY A PART OF THE BASANGIBWA MU. BUT I DON’T THINK THAT FEDERALISM IS THE BEST ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS FACING UGANDANS TODAY. WE SHOULD FEEL MORE CONCERNED BY OTHER DEVELOPEMENT ITEMS. AKUME!
Thanks Mr Ssemwanga Ashiraf for the support and your readiness to serve Uganda. But, UFF is not a Political Party -this is a force to unite and lead Ugandans to restore Federal Government in Uganda. We have more than enough Political Parties in Uganda to form one now.
We’ll communicate to all Ugandans especially the youths (men and women) on how and when to join the struggle for liberation of our nation.
Museveni’s tyranny must be stopped now and a Federal Government reinstated in Uganda.
I needed some time of reflexion to answer the critics caused by my without hypocrisy thoughts as usual .you say 97% of Baganda expressed themselves for a federal Kingdom what about the remaining three . so we are vowed to shutups and quench of the debate .Uganda is neither Cuba nor North Korea.to what concerns me I have lived more than 40 years in political exile .because of the absence of Democracy in Uganda .so I know what ‘s more important to do than so many.who think that they are more Baganda than i am.I watch the changes occuring arround the world .On my arrival ther existed a small community of only 6 united nations even England was excluded .Today they are 27 .Uganda’s most disablness is it’s boundaries .you sugest federalism which will make Buganda a double Land locked country like Rwanda and Burundi not only depending on (le bon vouloir of Kenya ) but also to Busoga and other East Uganda Tribes. we should better think of preserving our selves as Africans .like Europe deals with its multitude of cultures.Federal is nostragic of course but Ask your selves some real questions! in the 60′s when the baganda wanted to bare the road to Benedcto Kiwanuka, they federated with who. in 1971 when they thought that the time had come for federalism tye federated with who ?.Like my father used say when it rings twice then it can ring for the third time.But never for the 4th time that means that you have no important occupations.YOUR third bell was M7 and still the door didn’t open.Today uganda is a land of refugees in the north in the west you think that all those people will go back to their home -lands .Most of the marrages celebrated in uganda are multi tribal.So who will be a Muganda in your Kingdom .we shall be considered as Baganda since when? from the time before the arrival of the adapted Baganda frmo Bunyoro or keep just The BASSANGIBWAMU ONES.Put your reflection and reserch on how to save the black people from dying as if they were animals in Research Zoo.at the most important thing that we need survivors to testimony our presnce on this planet as human beeings. I am happy when isee Obama ruling America as president but i don’t ask him to solve our continent problems but at first stape save the world from all the radical separatists .so whaever this is what i believe in .if one day a ugandan born indien works more for the unity of all Ugandans i will be the first to adare.I am Ugandan before being a Muganda .because that’s my reeal international reckoned identity .and love deeply all Ugandans what ever tribe becaUse in exile there doesn’t exist mwana wani i have seen all categories of Ugandans suffering and it has been always strong solidarity which has always apaised their demands .ps for those who might dought about my origins .I am the son of The Late Mwami mathias lule sonko Mugobansonga.from Bulamazi mawokota county of Buganda and my Luganda although 42 years of exile is more pure than spoken today In Buganda.i accept no lessons from the mixed up ones if i had to follow your disunity convictions.Nyize nyo but the Future will tell if Your philosophy survives the world wide movement in the near future .BUT AFRICANS AND ALL BLACKS WILL UNITE BEFORE YOU OBTAIN WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.you are free to speak out your opinions but for GOD SAKE SAYING THAT IT’S THE OPINION OF 97% OF ALL UGANDANS IS NOT TRUE AND WILL NEVER BE.JOIN THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE AFRICAN AREAS TO REDUCE MISERIES.bonnes vacances à tous les freres et soeurs ougandais united free for liberty that ‘s for what we always stand.
Richard thanks for availing youself as you are the right age for the task, our age.
ENTANDA: Bear in mind that whatever u say from now on must take into account the interests of all Ugandans and the reality down here to avoid being viewed as “secterian”.
I prefer a protracted struggle coz it can be sustained. Why not let Museven outlive his agements so that eventuary power is taken over by our generation?
Muganda wange Semitego nga omuganda nze ndowoza tusoke twelondemu abalumirwa egwanga lyaffe tunonye amagezi aganalimunura kubanga eno yengeriyoka ejja okutuyamba na bazukulu baffe abanaddawo kubanga Buganda esaanawo
Kasozi Mukasa
London
Since this is a newspaper that is read worldwide, we encourage readers to make their comments in English so that everyone can understand what they are talking about. Kasozi Mukasa’s comment is in Luganda, a language spoken by the Baganda in Uganda. We do not have the facilities to translate it so its purtpose will be missed by readers elsewhere.
It’s unfortunate that people like Mugobansonga can use the kiganda names to rubbish what many of our people died for in Buganda and Uganda. Museveni is in power for 26 years now because of Buganda. Odoki report said, 65% Ugandans demanded for Federal and 97% in Buganda. Mugobansonga you mean that report is wrong?. It’s like you are following the foot steps of Besweri Mulondo to undermine Buganda and Uganda’s efforts to deny them their preferred system of governance (Federal). You should shut up if you don’t know what to say. No one will ever blame you when you do not speak than talking rubbish.
Mr Semitego, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for good work you are doing for Buganda and Uganda. I promise you that Buganda and many Ugandans (a part from Mugobansonga and Besweri Mulondo) we are behind you 100 per cent in this struggle. Do not be deterred by people like Mugobansonga. They are just a nuisance.
Mr Segujja show me your family name in the History of Uganda.and your contribution to the fredom of uganda, as your contibution for poor dying
Ugandans .you have no right to act as if you are the naturaliser of Buganda.
The North has been separated from the south for more than 20 years what has it gained my best wish is we unite together for the development of our country East West Central North Uganda as one is the best desired of all.apatheid, racism,tribalism has no future in Africa.Open the boundaries to become a Strong Nation, bonnes vacancies mon Frere Ougandais.
Mugobansonga when I read what you wrote I just saw someone following footsteps of Besweri Mulondo. I wonder why always people like you using kiganda names to tarnish Buganda and Uganda’s efforts. In Buganda many lives were lost to see a return of federal government and peace in Uganda.
Odoki’s report 65% Ugandans demanded for federal and 97% in Buganda, I feel sick when I read comments like that of Mugobansonga (Mulondo’s son) that federal is not the answer for for Uganda’s development. Please, Mugobansonga learn to shut up if you have no credible reasoning and no one will blame you other than talking nonsense in public.
Mr Semitego, thank you for the good work you are doing to fight for democracy in Buganda and Uganda. I promise you Buganda and Ugandans we’re behind you to bring everlasting freedom and federal government to Uganda. Do not be deterred by people like Mugobansonga-Mulondo and their like.
My dream is about to come true. This is the desire of Buganda and Uganda have been be longing for a long time. New blood with fresh ideas to liberate Uganda from the evil man Museveni and his corrupt regime. Yes, Mr Semitego. Do not look back. You are the new sunshine of Uganda, hope for the future of Uganda.
You should work hard to unite Ugandans like Mr Manyangenda said. If you do that, the road is clear and I can see light at the end of the tunnel for Uganda.
Richard Semitego! Thank you for coming out and be careful in whatever you do as you know Museveni is evil. You should know what you eat, drink and talk to about the plans for Uganda.
Good news, FEDERO is the fuel that will drive Uganda forward. Richard, songa mbele. I pledge my support in whatever way you want me to help and I hope Mengo will do the same. We need the next President of Uganda to be muganda under FEDERO STATE OF UGANDA.
Goodluck Mr Richard Senitego
This seems to confirm what Professor Mutibwa’s wrote in his book, “The Buganda factor in Uganda Politics:” Please read”It has become a significant part of the political culture of Buganda that, when confronted with new political situations, they have embraced regimes without adequately weighing their consequences.” (Mutibwa, P. 1992: 30)
Yoga Adhola.
all that Buganda should get is restoring its sovereignity neither federo no a Muganda president can save Buganda from this on going cultural genocide. let em say what ey say Buganda should go independently. Awangaale Kabaka
I think this is the right time for us Ugandans and freedom fighters to see and realized that Museveni’s regime won’t solve our problems and so it is time to act against this dictatorial regime and support a system (Federal) that will ensure that our country is governed well, a system that will make every region master of their resource for the benefit of the One Uganda.
Thank you Mr. Semitego