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| Nkoba za Mbogo Members Extend Ttabamiruka '07 to Uganda |
50 youth from different institutions of learning and different counties of Buganda, assembled at Bukalango to participate in the Ttabamiruka Convention in New Jersey.
Their views were aired in the conference through the Internet and cell phones. Ttabamiruka ’07- Uganda Extension begun on August 27 and ended on September 2, 2007.
For more information call +256 772 695995. |
| Highlights of the Retreat |
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| Arrival of the First Group of Nkoba za Mbogo Participants to the Retreat at Bukalango Kabaka’s Village |
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| Prince Wasajja and other Nkoba za Mbogo participants from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Buganda Royal Institute, Makerere University Business School, Nakawa Vocational Institute, Busema University, Gulu University and Lubiri High school. |
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| The Review of Ttabamiruka Papers Begins - August 27, 2007 |
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| Participants Listen to Presentations |
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| The Organizer, Prince James Wasajja, Welcomes Owek. Daudi F. K. Mpanga to the Retreat - August 28, 2007 |
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| The Organizer, Prince James Wasajja, Explains the Theme: Ttabamiruka ’07 - Uganda Extension |
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| Owek. Mpanga Addresses the Participants |
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| The Chairpersons of Nkoba za Mbogo with the Minister, Owek. Daudi F. K. Mpanga |
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| Minister of Youth, Owek. Florence Bagunnywa Nkalubo (center), Joins the Retreat and Officially Declares It Open - August 29, 2007 |
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| Owek. Florence Bagunnywa Nkalubo, Surveys Work Done by Nkoba za Mbogo on the Kabaka’s Farm During Their Stay |
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| Other Experiences in the Retreat |
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Agro Forestry: Demonstration in the Coffee Plantation. |
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Without Fear or Favor: When they captured a huge snake in the field. |
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We Can Smile Even When the Enemy is Near: Buganda Royal Institute's Ex. Chairman with the huge snake. |
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| Introduction |
Many of the youth in Buganda heard about the Ttabamiruka ’07 in America and inquired to know what it was all about. After getting enough evidence that this convention is one of the most influential and much sought meeting, in which Baganda sit and pave ways to sustain and uphold our Kingdom through dialogue and discussion, the Baganda youth here at home, could not accept to stay out!
Due to the rampart poverty and other an avoidable occurrences, these youth (Nkoba za Mbogo) could not manage to acquire tickets to travel to the convention but where determined to extend there views, through all means, to this meeting. First, they got in contact with the organizers and confirmed their arrangements. And second, 50 members of Nkoba za Mbogo assembled in a quiet place to start discussing the papers that were to be discussed in Ttabamiruka ’07. This place is Bukalango Kabaka’s Model Village in Wakiso district. This youth retreat began on August 26 and closed on September 2, 2007. |
| The Nkoba za Mbogo Proposals |
The participants managed to come up with a collective observation that although much of what was discussed in the Ttabamiruka is very important to Buganda, but they propose that the most overriding issue should be: "Buganda in Uganda!"
The Buganda youth in this retreat asserted that however much the Baganda go ahead and make all the moves to reinstate the Kingdom's glory, including, leadership at Mengo, the Kingdom's economy, allegiance to Kabaka, and so on, without putting the issue of the antagonists on the forefront, all our efforts will be wasted.
They used an allegory of the house and said that if Buganda was a house, and the head of that house is not allowed to; move freely in his house, associate freely with his children and household, and determine what is good for his children/ foster children, and worse still, when some of his foster children think that they are now old enough to decide for the whole house hold. Then the head of the house must first rectify his position in the house before devising ways of how to run it! |
| The Case of Talks with Central Government |
The Nkoba za Mbogo participants confessed that they don’t put total blame of Buganda’s current predicament on the ruling government. The mess was created way back in 1894 when Kabaka Mwanga II (was forced to) sign the Agreement for British Protectorate. The only blame we can affix on this government is their determination to continue this mess!
The participants then propose that if we are to carry out effective talks with the central government, we must do it as it was done in 1962. When Uganda was going to get its independence on 9th October, Buganda got it’s the previous day. What really took place was in such away that the Protectorate government first returned full sovereignty of Buganda on 8th October. Then Buganda went on the table to DISCUSS how it will join Uganda.
In the same way, therefore, if we are to go in any productive discussion with the central government, let them bring on the table all that belongs to us, and then we discuss how we can work harmoniously. (Let them accept that the house is HIS, and then we handle the issues of the foster children together). However, the current discussions only help the owner of the house to extend his boundaries from the "boy’s quarters" to the "store room" and to possibly walk in and out of the house without even commenting on how they have distorted the interior of his house or how they have malnourished his children. |
| The Case of Kabaka and His Subjects |
The Retreat participants agreed that there is widening gap between the Kabaka and his people. Our Kabaka is always termed as Namunswa and his people are therefore the Nswa and Nkuyege, who are must at all times, be in contact with him and ensure his security.
The Nkoba za Mbogo youths recommend the following to ensure that the people of Buganda do not realize the rift between them and their Kabaka:
- Buganda should re-activate the printing of the Kingdoms newspaper and often the views of the Kabaka on Buganda’s affairs should be featured.
- The Kabaka should have at least 2 State of Nation Address on Buganda’s Radio.
- There should be an annual scheduled program for the clans (Bika) and Ssazas to visit the Kabaka at his palace.
- A call centre (customer service centre) for the Kingdom should be put in place for the Baganda to get in contact not only with their Kabaka’s Office but also offices of other Ministries in Buganda. This helps them to be abreast with the Kingdoms programs and find ways to contribute.
- The Kabaka should always identify a group of his people such as the Youth, Women, disabled, etc, or just individuals and pay them a visit.
- A selected journalist should be allowed to engage the Kabaka in an interview on Buganda, possibly at his palace and later put this interview on radio or print.
- Lastly, we also second the Ttabamiruka’s idea of using the royal website to forward issues to the Kabaka’s Office.
As for now, we forward those recommendations and promise to provide more after reviewing the rest of the papers. We await communication from you and look forward to the proposed teleconference you had suggested.
On behalf of the participants,
Prince James Wasajja,
Organizer |
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