The newly elected PM (Katikkiro) of Buganda, Eng. JB Walusimbi was hosted by Ssagala Agalamide Youth Group within United Kingdom on June 27th at the University of East London. Along with him on this first leg of his tour, he was accompanied by other fellow Baganda dignitaries, Amb Emmanuel L. Ssendaula, J. Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere, Nelson Kawalya and Mathias Mpuuga. The Africa Cultural Dance troupe UK comprising of youngsters provided some of the light entertainment was the welcoming entourage.

After listening to the introductions - then elaborations thereafter, I understood the aim of this visit was to meet and update with fellow Baganda residing in the UK and Ireland on burning issues within Buganda on ground and to find ways in which we can all (as Baganda) work cohesively to implement measures of redress on poverty, which has been sited to be the main cause of persons selling their land; and put in place foundations that can sustain self-governance at local levels. There was an opportunity for attendees to put questions to the Katikiiro, which he did answer. However the feeling was that there was biasness in how those with questions were picked and indeed frustration amongst the audience coupled with the delay in start of the meeting played a factor in what otherwise was an informative and interesting meeting. The burning issue pertaining to money given or donated to the Katikiiro by the government was said to have been utilised to setting up the foundations and project infrastructure villages were sited.

The starting time for the meeting was unfortunately delayed to 6:40pm – starting rather late in the evening to the originally scheduled earlier time of 2pm. The event was unfortunately marred by disgruntled groups within the Buganda community in the UK which opted to use the occasion to show their protest.

From the observational angle, the planning and management of this event or future events by organisers need working on. As a first point, an agenda or programme would perhaps have been helpful to the audience etc... utilise the skills of fellow Baganda by seeking out volunteers in the broader community. Whilst we are on this – one of the attendees raised a point which is worth looking in to and one that I’ve sited on so many times. That of the youth/community here in the UK. Whilst we are called upon to assist in redressing poverty amongst our persons back in Buganda, how of those here? Who or how are they being assisted to assimilate here?

With regards to the fellow brothers and sisters who opted to show your protests the way you did, was your protest/contempt aimed the Kabaka perhaps? There are other ways to show protest – walk the talk and put in to actions on ground within your afflicted communities in Buganda/Uganda. By showing YOU CAN, others will have an alternative to what’s being offered. Having been privy to observe some meetings by NRM /FDC etc… I’d find it hard to believe this group was operating on the spiel of NRM funds! The venue and budget used alone for this event should say something!

Thanks --sebo Bikolwa for this good information----openness is the key to sucess--secrecy is a dangerous game-----------Akuume God