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 The federal conference in London (UK) kicked off with a bang. Organised by the Uganda Federal Confederates (UFC) a pressure group that campaigns for a federal political system of governance in Uganda, it was held at the University of East London, Docklands Campus (located on the banks of river Thames) on the 11/6/2011. It was attended by many Ugandans from all over the world as far as America; some dressed in cultural clothes. Among those community and political leaders that attended included; Owek. Dan Muliika (Former Buganda Prime Minister), Hon Nandala Mafabi (Leader of Opposition in Uganda), John Ken Lukyamuzi (Leader of the Conservative Party and Rubaga South MP), Betty Kamya (President of Federal Alliance), Owek. Godfrey Sekweyama (Deputy Kabaka's representative in the UK) and Salaam Musumba (Vice president of Forum for Democratic Change) among others.
In her keynote speech, Carol Semanda a trainee solicitor said that the aim of the conference was to consult on how Ugandans can take back ownership of their own country and this must be realised as soon as possible. As a result, most of the speakers suggested various ways on how this could be achieved. Owek. Dan Muliika who delivered a paper on ‘embracing federalism is embracing diversity' urged politicians to work together and vigorously campaign for a federal political system of governance regardless of their political affiliations. He asserted that the poor current unitary system of governance together with autocratic leaders are the main causes of Uganda's problems such as corruption, etc. The Unitary system of governance does not take into account the role of traditional nations such as Bunyoro, Acholi and Buganda among others in building a coherent lasting peace. The 14 nations that make up Uganda are never consulted by central government on policies or bills and hence this causes friction between traditional nations and central government. Before the British colonialists left, they handed power back to Ugandans at a meeting in London at Lancaster House in 1961 where all the 14 nations that make up Uganda attended. ‘The names of these nations are inscribed at the entrance of the parliamentary building in Kampala; these are the true stakeholders and guardians of Uganda. But Obote after the 1966 crisis abrogated the federal constitution and never returned power back to the people. All the subsequent leaders have used this as a vehicle to oppress Ugandans, notably the current president Yoweri Museveni' Muliika said. Museveni has rigged elections since 1995 after he shot his way to power in 1986. He has ruled Uganda for over 25 years and he intends to change the constitution so that he can run again for another term. The Uganda Citizen has learnt that a national conference is soon to be held in Uganda where the traditional nations will decide on how they want to be governed and under which constitution. The Uganda National People's Rights Association (UNAPERA), UFC and all conveners of National Convention on Peace, Democracy and Good Governance in Uganda on the 13 & 14 2011 are expected to attend.
As expected, Hon. Nandala Mafabi the Leader of Opposition in Uganda's parliament and former Parliamentary Accounts Committee chairman accused the government of misusing tax payer's money. He revealed that Museveni uses the Uganda treasury as his own cash machine; fraudulently using tax payer's money to bribe MPs and buying votes during the recent elections.
Meanwhile John Ken Lukyamuzi accused Betty Kamya of hoodwinking Ugandans pretending that she is opposing the government yet she is funded by Museveni. Betty Kamya who looked disturbed by these accusations even looked more isolated as Dan Muliika criticised her for turning the Uganda Federal Alliance into a political party. Owek. Muliika reasoned that Kamya by doing so made it impossible to recruit politicians from other parties since no one can belong to two parties at the same time. ‘How can you now go and persuade FDC members to join your organisation or party'? Muliika asked. The floor got excited by Ken's jokes and his unrelenting attacks on Ms Kamya who had said that Museveni is not the problem but the system. Surprisingly Kamya never clarified who is responsible and has the power to change the current system of governance in Uganda. One would think that it's Yoweri Museveni who can do this. Hence her argument seems not to have satisfied anyone.
Muwanga Zake a senior lecturer at the University of Greenwich in London commenting on the Buganda question said that Buganda has been unfortunate in attracting the ire of Uganda dictators who carefully circumvent the Buganda question because the answer to that question posits de-facto federalism and democracy. ‘The Buganda Question is truly a demand for fundamentals which constitute Buganda as a nation. Buganda is a multi-tribal nation. Yet, whenever someone wants to damage the federal debate, s/he scares people about tribalism and lies that Baganda will chase other nations out of Buganda!' Muwanga said. He accused dictators of using Buganda as a scapegoat of disunity despite Buganda's acceptance of every nation in all her structures. He argued that it is the dictators who have divided Buganda into smaller chiefdoms or alternatively created districts bearing strange names. The name Buganda has thus disappeared from the map of Uganda. ‘Dictators always attack Buganda because Buganda foils despotic proclivity and wishes every nation in Uganda self-determination' Muwanga commented. Buganda has for a long time been hosting and admitting many nationalities in her borders and administration. Dr. Muwanga called on each nation in Uganda to vigorously pursue a degree of autonomy as the road to federalism. Therefore, federalism is not a Buganda-only pursuit.
 Other speakers such as Salaam Musumba, Ambassador Oporia Ekwero, Leo Ssebweze and Mustapha Semanda Magero urged Ugandans to continue the fight and assertively demand better governments. Semanda Magero the interim chairman of the Uganda Federal Confederates thanked those that supported, attended, as well as funded the project. He further thanked Ngoma radio fans and UFC members such as Mr Bosco Nyombi, Charles Kyazze, Akim Odong, Damallie Lwanga and others for the great work they have done during the last months. ‘Together we will overcome. After all, we are fighting for what is rightfully ours and there is NOT a chance in hell that we will fail rather it is only a question of when we will win. The challenge is to bring together the nationalities of Uganda on the same table at a national conference. We must rid ourselves of the fear of the dictator and what he can do. It is our country and we should not be intimidated by anyone. I salute our fellow citizens who have lost their lives standing up to these dictators including the babies that were killed in April this year. They did not die in vain' Semanda Magero said.
Norbert Mao (DP president), Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago, Ms Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), Olara Otunnu (UPC president) and Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye West MP) sent their apologies and were meant to appear via a video link but it failed. The organisers could see the mentioned politicians in a hotel Uganda, but the link had problems with the sound.
Leo Ssebweze one of the federal activists urged everyone to be brave and continue lobbying the international community to highlight the plight of Uganda. ‘Uganda's destiny is in our hands, we will do whatever it takes to be free' Ssebweze said. The Uganda Citizen has learnt that the next conference will be held on the 2&3 June 2012 (Saturday and Sunday) where members of the UFC will elect their leaders. In the UK, the 4 &5 will be Bank Holidays; this will allow guests enough time to recuperate.
The Uganda Citizen has learnt that after the conference, Owek. Dan Muliika, Frank Abe, Mustapha Semanda Magero, Belinda Atim, Ken Lukyamuzi, Dr Vincent Magombe, and others had a two hour meeting with officials at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in central London where they further highlighted human rights abuses and called on the British government to stop funding dictator Museveni and instead hold him accountable for crimes against humanity. Our sources reveal Ken Lukyamuzi warned that unless the international community acts soon, a war or genocide might break out in Uganda as people get more desperate for freedoms. Ken Lukyamuzi was later interviewed by the BBC World Service who sent their driver to pick him up from Ngoma radio studios.
Sylver Kyagulanyi excited the audience with his latest hits and great vocals as the attendees mainly women cheered him on. Guests were also entertained by Mc Mosey, Kiganda cultural dancers and the two fashion shows which left most men wondering where the great looking ladies came from. Asked about how the conference went, Dr Kasaato the Secretary of the Interparty Co-operation said ‘we had brilliant discussions, this is indeed the event of the year 2011 whilst Nabulime and Opio could not believe how beautiful and comfortable the venue was. ‘I cannot wait for next year' Opio said. However a few guest speakers turned up late and this meant that entertainment was delayed which infuriated some people. However the organisers have pledged to make improvements and allow more time for entertainment since next year's conference will be held over a period of two days. The organising committee has urged more volunteers to join the UFC and render their support for the cause. Nomination papers for the UFC elections to be held on 2&3 June 2012 (Saturday and Sunday) will be sent out by December this year (2011) allowing people enough time to campaign.
More information and speeches will be uploaded soon,
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Hi Miss lonely.............. (36)
Looking forward to next year's conference