Kabaka, MPs to talk over dinner BY SADAB KITATTA KAAYA To smooth over the somewhat strained relations between Buganda MPs and the Mengo establishment, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is to host the lawmakers to a dinner. The Observer has learnt that the Kabaka is keen on finding a better working relationship with the MPs ahead of the planned constitutional amendments. This would avoid a recurrence of the 2011 scenario where majority of Buganda MPs ignored Mengo’s position during the controversial passing of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011. Despite Buganda’s opposition to the bill, its passing, weeks to the 2011 general elections, was largely supported by MPs from Buganda. “The Kabaka felt betrayed by his own people; and this was the third incident in which Buganda MPs were shying away from Buganda’s interests, the first being in 2009 after the closure of CBS FM and during the passing of the Land Amendment Act,” the chairman of the Buganda Parliamentary caucus, Godfrey Kiwanda, told The Observer last week. The kingdom hopes to use the impending constitutional amendments to re-launch its agitation for a federal system of government. The dinner is planned before the end of the year, after Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga returns from his European and American Ettoffaali tour. It is the outcome of an August 6 meeting between Mayiga and Kiwanda. At the meeting, the two discussed some of the deep concerns of the region’s MPs. The meeting followed an Observer report in which MPs accused Mayiga of using his tours to prop up rival candidates in their constituencies. During the meeting with Mayiga, Kiwanda read a long list of the katikkiro’s transgressions against MPs. Mayiga was faulted for boycotting the commissioning of the Kabaka Anjagala street lights by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Mayiga also learnt that he angered many MPs when he shone a bright on the presence of Simeo Nsubuga, during the Kabaka’s 21st coronation anniversary in Sembabule. Nsubuga is gearing up for Minister Nyombi Thembo’s seat in Kassanda South. During the Sembabule event, Nsubuga was at one point introduced as a leader of a delegation from South Sudan, and later offered a photo shoot with the Kabaka, to the chagrin of Buganda MPs who had been denied a similar opportunity. Mayiga sorry Mayiga reportedly promised to formally apologise to the MPs. “I am sorry, there’s been a gap between us, which is not intended, maybe because I am too busy; but I think I will get time for a meeting with the entire caucus,” Mayiga reportedly said. “When I meet them [the MPs], I will formally apologise to them because we recognise that you are the elected people’s representatives,” Mayiga added. But Mayiga said that his perceived promotion of certain candidates against the MPs was not intentional. He said he spoke favourably of Judith Nabakooba, the police deputy director political commissar, because she appeared at all his Ettoffaali events in Mityana district. He denied promoting Nabakooba’s perceived political interest in the seat held by Sylvia Namabidde (Mityana Woman). Mayiga said he skipped the Kabaka Anjagala event not because Lukwago was the chief guest, but because the organisers told him the event had been called off. “I’m also concerned about Lukwago’s plight; that is why I have severally emphasised that if he is to be removed [from the Lord Mayorship], the due process of the law must be followed,” Mayiga said. He also told Kiwanda that MPs had been stopped from making speeches at Kabaka’s functions because they misused the chance during his 19th coronation anniversary at Busiro in 2011. “Because the Kabaka wants to spend less time at functions, they decided that speeches by politicians should be removed because we over talk,” Kiwanda said. Boycott Mayiga had planned to meet the entire caucus executive but the rest stayed away. Besides Kiwanda, the five-member executive committee comprises Mukono municipality’s Betty Nambooze (Vice-Chairperson), Bukomansimbi’s Deogratius Kiyingi (Treasurer), Mubende Woman MP Benny Namugwanya Bugembe (Secretary) and Kalungu East’s Vincent Ssempijja (Publicity Secretary). “Some of us have been involved in Mengo affairs in one way or another and, therefore, we felt that it is better for him to listen to a voice that is new to him,” a caucus member said. New demands Kiwanda said the MPs agreed not to speak at the Kabaka’s functions but demanded to be introduced better. “The members are saying that to avoid half-baked introductions, they should at least be introduced by [me] because we have a better way of introducing ourselves,” Kiwanda said. The MPs also want the reinstatement of a coordination committee between them and Mengo. Mayiga chaired the last one set up by former Katikkiro JB Walusimbi. [email protected]
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:07:23 +0000
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