Who is a Muganda today? This is civic education. “Concentrated cash-crop production drew migrant labor into Buganda province [not state] from other parts of the protectorate [that had been declared labor reserve to provide cheap labor] even before 1914. During the inter-war years, the flow increased, with thousands walking across colonial frontiers from Rwanda, Burundi, western Tanganyika, and Kenya. By 1946, the estimated annual flow had reached 140,000 from Rwanda and Burundi alone. Many of these migrants came for a season only, but many others began to settle down for a period of years. They learned Luganda, assimilated Ganda culture – and the second generation were Ganda” (Philip Curtin et al., 1978). These were economic migrants. Since just before independence Uganda including Buganda has received refugees especially from Rwanda – from our neighbors except Tanzania. Since Museveni came to power NRM has adopted a flexible policy on immigrants. NRM has also continuously announced that Uganda still has unutilized land and water resources that has attracted many people especially Tutsi seeking land and Buganda because of economic and social opportunities has attracted a disproportionate number than other regions. Because of this influx of immigrants mainly male, Uganda has more men than women since 2010. In Buganda there are three types of Baganda: indigenous or pure Buganda; assimilated Baganda and those called ‘fake’ Baganda who have adopted Luganda language and names. Because there is no naturalization policy in Buganda and there is no internationally recognized definition of a nation, it may be difficult for Baganda to know who is who especially as more foreigners settle into Buganda and acquire land and other assets, participate in politics and the economy and public service with or without Mengo collaboration. Eric
Posted on: Fri, 30 May 2014 21:01:32 +0000
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