By Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi.
One of the conditions for Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) under Milton Obote in an unholy alliance with Kabaka Yekka (KY) in 1962, was for the former to close its branches in Buganda which amidst protests from its Buganda leaders like Paulo Muwanga, Godfrey Binaisa, Kezekia Sseggwanga Musisi, Biridadi Muwonge and youth wingers like Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and Abednegel Kintu Musoke.
UPC which, at formation in 1960, inherited Uganda National Congress (UNC) national structure under Ignatius Kangave Musaazi, which started in 1962, never recovered in Buganda.
Even when the alliance collapsed in 1964 and KY MPs crossed the floor to UPC, in order to fight from within, to use Abu Mayanja’s unforgettable phrase, UPC never regained ground in Buganda.
The attempt by Obote to re-open branches in Buganda, like Kasawo in Mukono, as UPC was trying outside Buganda, like Busoga and Ankole, failed.
Worse still when Obote ordered Amin to storm Mengo palace and remove Sir Edward Muteesa ll alive or dead on May 25th 1966, abolished kingdoms and federalism, then UPC in Buganda became like NAZI in Germany.
No wonder the massive celebrations welcoming Idi Amin’s coup in 1971, which was jumping from a frying pan to fire, according to Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
One of the reasons why the 1972 September invasion by guerillas from Tanzania commanded by Tito Okello and Oyite Ojok failed at Masaka axis compared to relative achievement by the Western axis under Yoweri Museveni, was because Baganda hated Obote with a passion.
Even during Uganda-Tanzania 1979 war, most people in greater Masaka were neutral having had some Ugandan exiles fighting side by side with the Tanzanian forces, until civil leaders like Paulo Muwanga, Sam Mugwisa, Israel Mayengo and Robert Ssebunnya recruited some sons of the soil like now Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.
However, during the Katonga war between Uganda National Liberation Army under Tito Okello and his allies especially defunct Uganda Army, on one hand, and National Resistance Movement /Army (NRM/NRA) under Yoweri Museveni, in late 1985 and early 1986, people of Greater Masaka following those of Luwero Triangle in 1981, did not only massively supported the liberators, but also joined them, provided food and other materials, and did reconnaissance work.
This was more opinionated with the visit of the then Ssabataka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ll to the liberated areas flanked by John Nagenda, now Senior Presidential Advisor on Media and Public Relations, and the late Prince Besweri Mulondo.
Thus, Luwero, according to President Yoweri Museveni, is the political Mecca of NRM.
FDC also almost fell into a similar UPC trap when in its alliance with DP under Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, did not field parliamentary and local government council candidates in Buganda giving a chance to DP.
Even where it fielded like Beti Kamya and Bomwezi in Lubaga North and Kampala Central, in 2001 failed. The exception was Sam Njuba in Kyaddondo East until he was succeeded by Semujju Ibrahim Nganda after an intervention of the NRM guru Sitenda Ssebalu.
So, there was suspicion and fear that now that NRM had gained the North where Ssemogerere and Besigye had been sweeping, there is no need to struggle for Buganda. The National Unity Platform (NUP) under a political amateur like Bobi Wine, should have a chance to feast in the Central Region, moreover, he is a less threat than Dr.Kizza Besigye, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Lt.Gen. Henry Tumukunde, who broke away from NRM/NRA, but have failed to get a home base.
However, what transpired in Bugerere in last week’s by-election of a District Chairperson, is enough indicator that a determined and focused NRM can recapture Buganda. From Bugerere, God willing, let us go to South Singo (Mityana District) and we shall make it. We have done it in Namayumba, in Busiro North.
President Yoweri Museveni is a magnet and has exposed the weakest sides of the likes of Besigye, Muntu, Bidandi Tumukunde, Biraro.
Other NRM leaders like Haji Moses Kigongo, and secretariat bosses have also tried.
But special thanks to new MP Robinah Nabbanja who camped in Bugerere until she has delivered.
But on public relations, l think NRM did not do well on working with correspondents based in Bugerere and as a result they became hostile. There is still something lacking at the secretariat when it comes to media relations.
While NRM won in Rakai, Lyantonde, Ssembabule, Gomba, Mubende, Kyankwanzi and Nakasongola, that means that it can win majority in rural Buganda. Even with infrastructure development, service delivery including poverty alleviation programs like Myoga and now Parish Development Model, urban centers like Masaka City, we shall be, at least on 50-50, where one cannot form government without cooperating with another. Aluta continua.
Haji Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi is a veteran journalist and Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Masaka City.
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