By Robert Muhereza & Tabu ButagiraDaily Monitor
Kabale/Kampala
August 3, 2009
President Museveni’s proposal to shield elective political positions in Bunyoro region exclusively for natives is not only illegal but a serious “error of judgment” his biggest opponent, Dr Kizza Besigye said on Saturday.
Speaking in Kabale, Dr Besigye, leader of Forum for Democratic Change party, the biggest opposition party, also criticised Mr Museveni for putting to risk, the lives of immigrants, particularly the Bakiga in Bunyoro.
“The president’s statements leave the Bakiga at a great risk because they are living in Bunyoro,” he said during a talk show on Voice of Kigezi FM radio in Kabale, a district dominated by the Bakiga. “How do you ban a Ugandan from being elected into a political office yet it is their constitutional right.”
In his July 15, letter, Mr Museveni proposed “ring-fencing” Bunyoro’s key political positions such as Parliamentary seat, District and Local Council III chair against immigrants, a proposal that would largely affect the Bakiga, the predominant immigrant community in Bunyoro.
“Banning non-Banyoro from participating in politics is unconstitutional; it’s equal to abuse of their rights and a terrible error of judgment,” the FDC President said.
Although Dr Besigye is a Muhororo, he hails from Rukungiri, a predominantly Bakiga District. Many people from there have since moved to the volatile Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa and Kibale districts of Bunyoro. Dr Besigye said structuring political participation on tribal inclinations shows that Mr Museveni “is not a nationalist.”
Mr Museveni’s proposals have been flatly rejected by leading Bakiga politicians such as MPs Barnabas Tinkasiimire (NRM; Buyaga) and Marble Bakeine (NRM; Bugangaizi), both representing constituencies in Bunyoro who view the suggestions as a ploy to hamstring them politically. The President earlier vowed to fight ‘rebel MPs’ such as Mr Tinkasiimire during the next elections for publicly opposing party positions.
The government has not responded to criticism that has met Mr Museveni’s proposals ever since Daily Monitor broke the story on Friday but yesterday, top government officials stepped in guardedly to do a late damage control.
Dr Beatrice Wabudeya, the minister for the Presidency and principal recipient of the July 15, 2009 missive, said critics had misconstrued Mr Museveni’s intent. “If people have interpreted the letter as promoting sectarianism, then that is wrong,” she said, suggesting that they would have reached a more comprehensive position by Wednesday.
She added: “Those who have jumped on the bandwagon from the wrong angle to criticise the central government would be embarrassed when we give our concrete position.”
It was not immediately clear whether cabinet would have to reach a collective position on Wednesday before the government issues an official statement clarifying on the potentially divisive matter. The Presidential Spokesman, Mr Tamale Mirundi, said last night that the President had been bold enough to offer a proposal on an intricate problem.
He said various interest groups from Bunyoro had held meetings with the President, complaining that immigrants had taken over vast tracts of their productive land, dominated local politics and wealth basket, rendering them “slaves on their own land.”
“As a leader, you must find a solution to a problem, however contentious. The critics don’t understand the President; his was a proposal, which is not final and those purporting to have better ideas to handle the problem should bring it forward,” Mr Mirundi said.
He suggested that the President’s view might eventually be discussed by the NRM caucus and or Parliament and said those aggrieved by the July 15, 2009 letter must “go to court.”
The Bunyoro region, discovered to have huge oil deposits, is now a frontline of national political competition as political parties jostle to catch attention of the kingdom officials and residents.
The area has also lately witnessed unprecedented bloody clashes among natives and immigrants, particularly nomadic cattle keepers called the balaalo.
Tension has been alive there, particularly in Kibaale District, since President Museveni in 2002 forced Mr Fred Ruremera, a Mukiga who had been elected as chairman of the district out of the seat following agitation by some Banyoro. He was later to be replaced by one Mr George Nyamwaka, an indigenous Munyoro.
Dr Besigye in a targeted attack on the President on Saturday said; “How can you divide people on tribal lines like this?” It is yet unclear whether the executive would yield to popular pressure and retract the letter after critics, among them academics, politicians and analysts warned that it could fracture the fragile unity in the country.
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President Museveni’s proposal to shield elective political positions in Bunyoro region exclusively for natives is not only illegal but a serious “error of judgment” his biggest opponent, Dr Kizza Besigye said on Saturday.
Speaking in Kabale, Dr Besigye, leader of Forum for Democratic Change party, the biggest opposition party, also criticised Mr Museveni for putting to risk, the lives of immigrants, particularly the Bakiga in Bunyoro.
“The president’s statements leave the Bakiga at a great risk because they are living in Bunyoro,” he said during a talk show on Voice of Kigezi FM radio in Kabale, a district dominated by the Bakiga. “How do you ban a Ugandan from being elected into a political office yet it is their constitutional right.”
In his July 15, letter, Mr Museveni proposed “ring-fencing” Bunyoro’s key political positions such as Parliamentary seat, District and Local Council III chair against immigrants, a proposal that would largely affect the Bakiga, the predominant immigrant community in Bunyoro.
“Banning non-Banyoro from participating in politics is unconstitutional; it’s equal to abuse of their rights and a terrible error of judgment,” the FDC President said.
Although Dr Besigye is a Muhororo, he hails from Rukungiri, a predominantly Bakiga District. Many people from there have since moved to the volatile Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa and Kibale districts of Bunyoro. Dr Besigye said structuring political participation on tribal inclinations shows that Mr Museveni “is not a nationalist.”
Mr Museveni’s proposals have been flatly rejected by leading Bakiga politicians such as MPs Barnabas Tinkasiimire (NRM; Buyaga) and Marble Bakeine (NRM; Bugangaizi), both representing constituencies in Bunyoro who view the suggestions as a ploy to hamstring them politically. The President earlier vowed to fight ‘rebel MPs’ such as Mr Tinkasiimire during the next elections for publicly opposing party positions.
The government has not responded to criticism that has met Mr Museveni’s proposals ever since Daily Monitor broke the story on Friday but yesterday, top government officials stepped in guardedly to do a late damage control.
Dr Beatrice Wabudeya, the minister for the Presidency and principal recipient of the July 15, 2009 missive, said critics had misconstrued Mr Museveni’s intent. “If people have interpreted the letter as promoting sectarianism, then that is wrong,” she said, suggesting that they would have reached a more comprehensive position by Wednesday.
She added: “Those who have jumped on the bandwagon from the wrong angle to criticise the central government would be embarrassed when we give our concrete position.”
It was not immediately clear whether cabinet would have to reach a collective position on Wednesday before the government issues an official statement clarifying on the potentially divisive matter. The Presidential Spokesman, Mr Tamale Mirundi, said last night that the President had been bold enough to offer a proposal on an intricate problem.
He said various interest groups from Bunyoro had held meetings with the President, complaining that immigrants had taken over vast tracts of their productive land, dominated local politics and wealth basket, rendering them “slaves on their own land.”
“As a leader, you must find a solution to a problem, however contentious. The critics don’t understand the President; his was a proposal, which is not final and those purporting to have better ideas to handle the problem should bring it forward,” Mr Mirundi said.
He suggested that the President’s view might eventually be discussed by the NRM caucus and or Parliament and said those aggrieved by the July 15, 2009 letter must “go to court.”
The Bunyoro region, discovered to have huge oil deposits, is now a frontline of national political competition as political parties jostle to catch attention of the kingdom officials and residents.
The area has also lately witnessed unprecedented bloody clashes among natives and immigrants, particularly nomadic cattle keepers called the balaalo.
Tension has been alive there, particularly in Kibaale District, since President Museveni in 2002 forced Mr Fred Ruremera, a Mukiga who had been elected as chairman of the district out of the seat following agitation by some Banyoro. He was later to be replaced by one Mr George Nyamwaka, an indigenous Munyoro.
Dr Besigye in a targeted attack on the President on Saturday said; “How can you divide people on tribal lines like this?” It is yet unclear whether the executive would yield to popular pressure and retract the letter after critics, among them academics, politicians and analysts warned that it could fracture the fragile unity in the country.
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