Connect Uganda - Mengo reshuffles cabinet. Is this to enforce Buganda demands?

Mengo reshuffles cabinet. Is this to enforce Buganda demands?

Written by Steven Lubwama

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi crowned the year with a surprise by changing the administration at the mighty Mengo establishment. Four former ministers and other new entrants were assigned the posts of ministers as nine were dropped. JB Walusimbi was assigned the post of Katikiro replacing Ambassador Emanuel Ssendawula who has served the kingdom for more than a year, he now becomes a deputy in the office he has been holding.

The changes have ushered in people that are patriotic to the Buganda kingdom. JB walusimbi a rotarian and one time a finance minister is described as a calm man and very intelligent. He is expected to handle the Buganda issues in a gentleman way like his predecessor.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.

This means that putting these two men in one office is going to create a more firm and calculated approach towards the kingdom's demands. The newly appointed second deputy katikiro, the former MP for Makindye East, Nsubuga Nsambu said: "That he did not agree with the new proposed land bill." This really shows that though change has been made at Mengo, we are going to see more firm and diplomatic demands from Mengo administration.

Unlike the changes which saw Dan Muliika leaving office which led to protest from some Baganda, the recent changes received few negative comments. This might have been due to the timing as people were in the festive mood waiting for the new year.

While several ministers lost their posts, Charles Peter Mayiga a well known lawyer was assigned the post of the kingdom spokesperson, a post he once held and Medard Lubega Ssegona deputising him.

Ssegona has been at the lime light during the time he has been the spokesman as he has been branded as a fearless man for his continuous messages towards the central government concerning the kingdom's grievances. Leaving him in the same office will see him continue with his usual straight forward approach in 2008. The combination of the two lawyers will also give an informed legal approach towards different issues.

The Kabaka seems to have wanted more from his three former prime ministers as he lined the trio as the kingdom advisers: Mayanja Nkangi, with his wealth of experience dating from Mutesa II, Ssemwogerere, widely known for his gentle and calm approach towards crises and Dan Muliika, reputed as a straight and practical man.

With the current conflict between Buganda and the central government concerning the proposed land bill, Buganda seems to be not willing on changing its stand as the president is expected to meet the Kabaka on 11th January.