I woke up this morning to the news of riots and death in Kampala. The Baganda youth protesting the decision by Police to block the prime minister of Buganda to enter Kayunga ahead of the Kabaka’s visit sent Kampala ablaze.
I am not a sympathiser of most of Buganda’s demands and moves but I don’t think the government can keep the Kabaka hostage in his own country. He is free to visit anywhere as long as there are his subjects in that part of the country. The minority Banyala as much as they have a concern for them to ask Kabaka to seek permission from their leader means that cultural institution have power to choose who enters their kingdom or not. The power which I believed the constitution puts in the hand of government through the police and courts. I think it’s hard to see kingdoms in Uganda right now in terms of territories. It’s like the Kabaka for instance can’t meet Baganda in UK without permission from the Queen of England instead of the police of the area. The Police in this case is the institution to allow the Kabaka to visit his subjects in that part of the country. The question that Museveni didn’t forsee was the terriotorial issue of that comes with kingdoms. Should the cultural institutions be observed only in historical territories amidst a modern Uganda where many Ugandans live outside their Kingdom. Is this to say that the Alur King cannot meet the Alurs in Kampala unless he asks permission from the Kabaka? The riots are just a symptom of tribal divisions in Uganda.
Back to the riot why should Ugandans die in a riot that could have been prevented? This reactionary behaviour of the government in Uganda has must be checked. Ugandans must seek explanations for the loss of lives and property in the riot. The government is basically failed to protect citizens from destruction.
But this is not to exonerate those who orchestrated the riots. For the youth to resort to riots which cause losses to traders who are already struggling is not logical. And using violence against the state many times is counter-productive. Burning government cars when you and I are the ones who pay taxes to buy them is like being disappointed and you burn your own house. Anyone behind this movement to oppose government decision regarding the Kabakaship should know that when you fight alone your cause is likely to be lost. I think if you want a certain status you have to do so much to win others who don’t see the self-governance in the same prism as you.
I have covered riots in Kampala and what I know they tend to actually lose grip on what direction they should take. There more about attention and leaders often think causing property loss attracts attention, which it does, but this is just being myopic. I believe if one has a cause worth fighting for they should do a lot of planning and try not to cause loss to those who have nothing to do with the state of things. Often the demonstrations have turned into looting which really blurs the intentions of the demonstration.
But still government could have prevented this by dealing with the situation in a different way. But when you have a government that doesn’t care about the losses of many struggling ordinary Ugandans it will take decisions that incite violence other than resolve matters at hand.
I don’t think the Kabaka poses such a threat to the regime and the Banyala that he has to be made a prisoner of sorts. And if he doess, there are better ways to address this. And no Ugandan life should have been lost in the name of blocking a king from visiting another part of the country.
Rosebell Kagumire 
Excuse my French …
The fucking government doesn’t have a fucking clue how to run this country! Museveni sets up one tribe against another, openly and blatantly, then presumes to tell us how to be nationalists and how to think outside the barrier of tribe.
Today’s losses are horrible. They are not only lamentable, someone should be tried for this fucking mess!
Is there evidence that we need change? It’s about bloody time!
The French is excused. You’re damn right. The government is incapable of preventing such mess. people dying and business will move on as usual, the Kabaka will be called and a settlement will be reached and those who died it will be a regret and no justice in the country. Those who were rioting will be out on bail and no one will talk about the police actions and we will say that’s life. …… disturbing.
Isn’t that pathetic.I really don’t give a damn about the kingdoms and the government fights but loss of life, just one life is blood on our beloved land.
The right to association and freedom of movement is not given by Museveni, or even the government of Uganda. all of us possess the rights by virtue of being human beings. The King has it and the government has duty to make sure that he realizes that right. The Government may not stop one from going to place it considers dangerous because it has no capacity to realize the right, like Somalia, it may only advice you… but has no right to interfere with your freedom of movement.
TUMWIJUKE
Pse mind your language and present your mind in a civilized manner coz your children are now old enough to read your comments.
Back to rosebell,
The government is fully capable of preventing such mess but dont forget that some people are also fully capable of precipitating the mess.
people should die for robbing and destroying business and justice is alive in the country where 600 thugs were apprehended. cant you see that justice. Those who were rioting will be out on bail as part of their constututional right and no one will talk about the police actions bse the actions were corrective.
look at these issues objectively.
well Robert the government does this all the time calling people demonstrating ‘thugs’ to try to water down their reasons for demonstrating but this doesnt change a single thing. Those who were arrested should defend their actions that’s what justice is about. of course we have issues with the police being brought to justice but that shouldn’t mean that those guilty of looting, harrasing women on streets during the riot should walk free no. because when we have another demonstration the same people will take advantage. if you love justice so much you shouldn’t be disappointed about this trial as long as it is done in a transparent and independent manner which is still possible in the ugandan judiciary despite pressure from government.
About Tumwi’s language as you realise this is a personal opinion site sometimes i excuse that language becuase it came at a streeting time in our country and it’s not what caused the havoc on kampala streets. thanks for your concerns.
Dear rosebell,
Before you claim that one was demonstrating and not a thug, try to clearly differentiate between a demonstration and a riot.
The best English dictionaries define a demonstration is a form of nonviolent action by groups of people in favor of a political or other cause, normally consisting of walking in a march and a meeting (rally) to hear speakers. Actions such as blockades and sit-ins may also be referred to as demonstrations. Famous demonstrators include Dr. Martin luther king jr, Daniel O’Connell in Ireland, Ken Lukyamuzi etc.
On the other hand, riot is a form of civil disorder characterized by disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against people or property. Riots typically involve vandalism and the destruction of private and public property. The specific property to be targeted varies depending on the cause of the riot and the inclinations of those involved. Targets can include shops, cars, restaurants, state-owned institutions, and religious buildings.
A thug, is a person, often a criminal, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire, as an enforcer in organized crime.
So if you are as objective as i think you are, then the above definitions can give you a clear reason as to why the culprits were not demonstrators but were rioters and thugs.
Lets not use any opportunity to criticise without using the devine provided ability to reason. we shall not be doing any good if we continue sowing seeds of deceit and lies.
people are always depressed whether the government comes out to protect innocent civilians or not. so what else shd happen?
we should learn that the government in power has stood a test of ugandan time and should be supported to make the situation better.
You raised some credible points but what you failed to realised is the timing of this post. this was at beginning of this demonstration that turned into a riot.but you saying the government is worth suporting because it “has stood the test of time” is a comment that could be made for any regime especially one that has been power thirsty and stayed way longer that it shd have.
i wanted to correct you on your comment that i claim to be objective. This is a personal blog and the main reason for such blogs is to express personal views whether objective, subjective or wrong it’s another story. But i dont claim objectivity becuase nobody (i believe) can attain objectivity.