Reporets Leo Odera Omolo

Katikkiro JB Walusimbi addressing the Uganda Lukiiko at Bulange Mengo yesterday

THE BUGANDA kingdom has repeated its demand for an independent commission of inquiry into the fire that gutted the royal tombs at Kasubi a week ago.

In resolutions passed by the Lukiiko (Buganda parliament) yesterday, Mengo also said the commission should probe the shooting and killing of youth who were cleaning up the burnt tombs.

“The Buganda Lukiiko laments the terrorist attack on Kasubi royal tombs on March 16. The Lukiiko condemns the attack, the use of force by the military, shooting, including use of armoured war-machinery, and beating up of unarmed people who tried to salvage the tombs and were cleaning up the site in the morning,” it said.

The resolutions were read out by the kingdom information minister, Peter Mayiga. The special session took place in a sombre mood and was presided over by the speaker, Kaddu Serunkuuma.

“With hindsight of the Kanungu inferno, Budo Junior fire that killed young, innocent pupils and other fires that have ravaged schools in the country, Buganda demands an independent commission of inquiry into the fire at Kasubi and shooting that resulted into the killing of three people and injuries to many other people,” the resolutions read.

The Lukiiko also resolved that after details were received about the Buganda youth who were shot, they will honour them as heroes of the kingdom. People who witnessed the shooting were asked to volunteer information to the probe committee.

Almost all members in the Lukiiko, including Mengo cabinet ministers, clan leaders, saza (county chiefs), notables and MPs from Buganda, were dressed in black without ties and in kanzus (white tunic) without coats, to symbolise mourning.

They also spotted black arm bands and wore bark-cloth strands around their waists, traditionally worn when mourning a close relative.

Some had badges with portraits of the Kabaka and the royal family with T-shirts inscribed with the picture of the tombs.

The Katikkiro (Buganda prime minister), J.B. Walusimbi, narrated the sequence of events in the aftermath of the fire and called for a moment of silence for those shot and killed.

He blamed the fire on “arsonists” whom he described as people with great hatred for Buganda and with a terrorist mind-set. Walusimbi recounted that by 9:00pm on Tuesday, when he arrived at Kasubi, the fire was ravaging the main house, Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, and its roof had caved in.

He said the person in charge of the tombs tried to use in-house fire extinguishers but was overwhelmed by the raging fire.

“We were informed four explosions were heard. These, it is believed, reinforced the flames and this made them unable to extinguish it.”

The Katikkiro said fire-fighting trucks arrived quite late and with inadequate water. This, he said, infuriated the people who were further incited by the heavy deployment of the military who used bullets and tear-gas.

Walusimbi explained that the Kabaka had planned to make an early visit to the tombs in line with the Kiganda traditions. He, however, said Police boss Kale Kayihura informed him of the President’s planned visit.

“I later heard of more deployment, that the armed forces were shooting and chasing people from the tombs and that three people had been killed and many others injured. People were incensed. This perhaps explained why the President got a bad reception.”

The Katikkiro said the tombs would be reconstructed to modern standards but with due regard to cultural traditions and norms. He said the restored tombs would be wall-fenced and fitted with CCTV cameras, at a cost of not less than sh10b.

Describing the state of affairs in Buganda as gloomy, the Katikkiro observed that the fire came at a time when relations with the central Government are at their lowest and several distressful actions and policies were being implemented.

He said Buganda and the Government have had disagreements on the creation of kingdoms within the kingdom, the blocking of the free movement of the Kabaka, the refusal to pay rent for occupied Buganda buildings and the failure by the Government to fulfil its promises.

He also said the Government branded Buganda an enemy whenever it gave a ‘divergent view’ on national issues. Another contentious issue, he added, was the closure of CBS radio on ‘wrong accusations’ of inciting the public.

“These issues depress us further and develop a feeling that the Government intends to suppress the Baganda.”

The Katikkiro also announced that committees for the reconstruction of the tombs had been established. He said the technical committee of experts, mainly engineers, had started drawing the bills of quantities while the finance committee will receive the donations.

There will also be committees of security, information, elders, royal family and coordination. An account titled ‘Gwanika lya Buganda – Kasubi royal tombs’ had been opened in several banks, he disclosed.

The week of mourning will reach its climax on Friday with prayers at the tombs led by the Catholic Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Lwanga. The Kabaka and church leaders will attend.

During the debate that followed, several Lukiiko members said there was a deliberate ploy to weaken or destroy the kingdom of Buganda.

In a statement released on Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni refuted rumours that the Government was responsible for the fire. He warned those spreading the the rumours of dire coinsequences and ordered the security to monitor the media.

Ends