President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has dashed all hopes of Buganda getting federal autonomy (federo) as long as he is president.
For most of the post-independence time, Buganda has pushed for a federal system of government, that would grant the kingdom and other tribe-based provinces semi-autonomous status.
In his 28th coronation anniversary speech at the end of July 2021, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi said Mengo was frustrated by the delay of Federo and other Buganda demands but would not give up on their push through dialogue with the central government.
“I wish to remind you that prior to the restoration of traditional kingdoms in 1993, we passed through several steps including participating directly in removing dictatorships. The things taken from Buganda including Federo, land, buildings including Bulange and other palaces, these and others are things we call ‘Ebyaffe’ and it is true, the indeed belong to us,” Kabaka Mutebi said.
“We have chosen no other path other than negotiation and reminding our leaders about the things we agreed upon. Yet 28 years down the road, we are still on these same issues.”
But on September 27, Museveni used the occasion the Benedicto Kiwanuka memorial lecture to tell Mengo it would not be possible to have Federo status.
Museveni wondered why Buganda had neglected honest advice from Benedicto Kiwanuka when he told them that even then, un the 1960s, there was no chance for Federo.
The president noted that instead of carefully considering Kiwanuka’s advice, Mengo had accused him (Kiwanuka) of betrayal.
“Benedicto Kiwanuka was a victim of Mengo because Mengo mistreated him. When he was a leader of DP, and Buganda wanted their Federo and all those things, Kiwanuka told them that what you are asking for is not possible. He was a forthright person,” said Museveni.
The NRM Chairman also argued that Milton Obot was not honest about his pledge to grant Mengo Federo.
That Obote was well aware that the British colonial government had rejected Mengo’s federo push and this was reflected in the constitution.
Consequently, even the federal autonomy Mengo won in 1962 was pseudo.
For example, it didn’t solve the lost counties question.
A referendum conducted in 1994 saw Buyaga and Bugangaizi go to Bunyoro, to the disappointment of Buganda whose UPC-Kabaka Yekka (KY) alliance.
“When it came to the referendum, Obote could not deliver because he was telling lies; that is how they fell out and the fighting took place in 1966; which would never have happened if Obote had followed the example of Kiwanuka to be forthright,” noted Museveni .
Now, Museveni has reminded Mengo Federo would never come to them.
“This is what we have told these traditional leaders, who were asking for Federo and what not; we said no! Yes, you can come back as traditional leaders but no powers of administration, no powers of legislation or taxation,” said Museveni.
“This is what NRM told those people. But some of these groups go around whispering things and that is why you see these people are still running up and down. For the NRM we are in the tradition of Ben Kiwanuka because that is the correct way.”
