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"We shall not tire from our efforts to claim our inalienable properties, and we shall not tire from fighting against persecution," said the Kabaka in his speech at Butambala Ssaza ground on the occasion to mark his 17th coronation anniversary as king of Buganda. 

Nearly two years ago I wrote in these pages an article under the title, "Is NRM ready for a showdown with Kabaka? In Buganda?"

I wrote that article after government blocked Kabaka Mutebi II from visiting one of his counties of Buruuli in Nakasongola. Although Government officially said that it blocked him for his own safety, the Baganda found it difficult to believe so. Why? The manner in which it was done and the timing left a lot to be desired. Mengo said the action was intended to embarrass the Kabaka.

An angry Mutebi, however, managed to address some of his Baruuli subjects during this aborted tour. In a very tough tone he said, "It is terrible that certain individuals are working hard to divide my people, after the impressive progress we have made towards unity. You should reject them."

Mr. President, I told you that of course the Kabaka was referring to you in his appeal to his Baganda subjects in Buruuli. I reminded you that it was you who, a few years earlier, had created an anti-Kabaka 'new' chiefdom of Buruuli headed by a 'Sabaruli', one Mwogezi Butamanya.

The Nakasongola incident followed the arrest and 'internal exile' of three of Kabaka's officials; Medard Lubega Segona, Peter Mayiga and Betty Nambooze. The three were instrumental in opposing the infamous "Land Amendment Bill 2007" which was later passed into law.

Mr President, a few months later you went on WBS and added oil to the purple fire when you told the Baganda in their face, "Forget about federal."
And this you said at a time when Mengo was seething with anger following your Government's proposal to expand the boundaries of Kampala, which Kampala itself had been declared as not being part of Buganda against the latter's wish.

Then a few days after the 'no federal' statement, The New Vision published the cant of the decade in their "Bulange Title Held" story, which they later withdrew and apologised to the Kabaka.

During the Lukiiko that accepted The New Vision's apology to the Kabaka, Apollo Makubuya, the Buganda Government Attorney General, asked the Baganda to "forgive but don't forget."

In an earlier Lukiiko, Mengo had resolved to ask Central Government to relocate and take the capital city off the Kabaka's territory.

In July 2008, a Buganda Conference was called in Kampala and while closing it the Kabaka told his subjects, "It is important that we move from the domain of ideas to actions. Politics is involved in all the issues discussed in this conference. One wise man once defined man as a political animal, but of course I am an exceptional. I, therefore, appeal to all the political animals amongst us to push these issues forward."

Top on the resolutions schedule that came out of the conference was the unrelenting demand for federalism. The Kabaka asked his subjects to push for this seemingly irreversible demand.

Then the big day came. During last year's celebrations to mark the restoration of his kingdom, held at Lubiri Mengo, the Kabaka in what I suggested was his maiden political speech asked his subjects to denounce you, Mr President, over your "no federal" announcement.

You responded by ordering that Kabaka be blocked from touring Kayunga, Bugerere, another Buganda county where a chiefdom was created under your guidance. On that particular one the Kabaka did not even say a word but the whole city and region went ablaze on 10th September last year and at the end of the day some 27 souls were lost. 

The aftermath of the violent riots and protests across Buganda saw CBS radio, Buganda's main mouthpiece and one of its key revenue sources, get closed. And up to now it remains under the gigantic padlock of NRM Government.

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