KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT TTABAMIRUKA ’14 BY BETTY NAMBOOZE BAKIREKE (MP)
The Chairman of this opening session, Ssentebe Gwangamujje, abakulembeze, abakungu, distinguished guests, Abazaana n’abasajja ba Kabaka:
It is with much pleasure that I join you today for yet another event, the Ttabamiruka 2014. As you all know, the preparation and attendance of this year’s Ttabamiruka has not come without major hurdles. In light of this, I wish to congratulate you, the men and women in attendance today, and salute your leaders for the excellent organization.
As we sit here today, we’re all mindful of the empty chairs in this hall which would have been occupied. We know that some of the would be occupants of the empty chairs have long gone okuyiga embogo, others are sick and indisposed; we pray for the health of our colleague -- and our friends. Others have not made it here because ends have failed to meet…..that is all understandable.
When the organizers of this event were inviting me Ttabamiruka014, I was informed that this year’s theme was to celebrate Buganda Clan Leaders for their selfless role in upholding the unity of Buagnda. The idea that over fifty Clan Leaders had been invited and that they were indeed going to attend thrilled me. As Muzukulu wa Namwama the possibility of sitting on my Jjaaja’s lap here at Wood Bridge New Jersey excited me most and I declared that Ttabamiruka014 was a must attend for me.
However, due to unavoidable circumstances, The Battaka are not yet here with us. All the same I am re-energized by the promise that they will be with us next year …. Truly, the decision to invite and sponsor them to attend Ttabamiruka convention was and still is a great and well-conceived idea, which will not die. Omuganda agamba nti z’olaga omulungi tezirwa kutuuka; tulinze 2015. Tweyanziza nnyo Ssabasajja waamudde bulungi….. anti asubiira akira aloota…Wangaaala ayii Beene.
We know that other people have deliberately shied away from this Conference. They feel safer to stay away from a gathering that is now becoming synonymous with controversies because of differences in approach to Buganda issues…naye era nakino tekijja kutumalamu maanyi…tusanidde ate tumanye nti oluusi baba balabe ba Buganda abatukonaganya…kyokka era ab’oluganda bitta.
I know that those of us present have gone through a lot of soul searching in order to reach a decision to attend. The debates in our minds have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That’s what liberation of the mind demands.
Amid all the noise, passion and animosity of our small disagreements, we are reminded that no matter who we are or where we come from, each of us is a part of something greater -– something more consequential than, egos, religious or political preference….that is one thing that sets us apart as a nation….Buganda under our Kabaka always.
We are part of the mighty Buganda family. No matter how much we may disagree, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of us seated here about Buganda are not so different from those of other Baganda who are not attending this conference, and that all these shared dreams deserve to be fulfilled. That, too, is what sets us apart as a nation….Buganda.
Now, for those of us who are here, attending this Conference; this simple act of sitting together won’t usher in a new era for Buganda. What comes of this moment is up to us. What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow and with humility seek for unity for those who are deliberately staying away from this conference.
I believe we can. And I believe we must. That’s what our ancestors expect of us their descendants. We can only move forward together, or not at all -– for the challenges we face are bigger than our differences. At stake right now is not who wins this argument -– after all, among ourselves we had and won many arguments.
The issue at stake is whether our great culture and Kingdom will be restored to its true glory. It’s whether the hard work rewarded and aspirations of our people in Buganda and Uganda is achieved. It’s whether we sustain the Kabakaship that has made Buganda not just a place on a map of Uganda, but the light and foundation of an artificial but now a “real- Nation of Uganda”.
We are poised for progress. Years after the worst crisis of 1966/1967, the pride and honor of Buganda comes roaring back. The Omwoyo gwa Buganda ogutafa is up again and more interesting, more prominet among the Young Generation.
But we have never measured progress by this yardstick and these standards alone. We measure progress by the success of our people. By the quality of our leaders, the led and the leadership. By the jobs our Youth can find and skills they have attained. Progress shall be measured by the quality of life our people live, the prospects of a small business owner who dreams of turning a good idea into a thriving enterprise. Our Capacity to produce and add value to our products. The possibility that a child from a very humble back ground can access all opportunities. By the opportunities for a better life that we pass on to our children……the quality and relevance of our education systems. By the level of democracy in the Country and the guarantee that it would be sustained…. Our capacity to fight evils like Corruption, environmental degradation and all types of injustice…. The capacity to address past mistakes, respect minorities and address issues of Human rights…without discrimination based on Gender and Religion.
This will all be measured against the extent of our contribution as a Buganda to achieving the above for our Country.
That’s the project which Kabaka’s people want us to work on and deliver results; together. Our Fathers and forefathers did that when they fought colonialism and achieved independence for Uganda and Buganda. Sacrifices have also been made to other struggles; like the fight against Obote and Amin …. It is now our turn, in our time and everybody must stand up to be counted.
Some people are already “celebrating Victory” just because battles have been won…. There is nothing wrong with celebrating victories and acknowledging achievements….Only that there is a possibility of forgetting that the War is still on. We should therefore not be tempted to demobilize our forces…But still let those who want to celebrate go on…we must not spoil the Party for anyone.
Nonetheless, we still have a lot to do. These steps we’ve taken over the last years may have conked out the back of the oppressors. You must have heard that our yesterday tormentors are today’s Buganda “biggest allies”!! We must however ask ourselves whether we are not communing with “bussa bwa mbogo”.
To win and secure the future for our children, we’ll need to take on challenges that have been woven around us for decades. Surely, the future is ours to win. But to get there, we can’t just stand still. If I may borrow President Kennedy’s discourse to the American people “The future is not a gift. It is an achievement.” Sustaining our forefathers’ dream has never been about just standing about. It has required each generation to sacrifice, and struggle, and meet the demands of a new age”.
And this is the message I borrow from Kennedy to awaken you to the fact that our turn as a generation is now. We know what it takes to compete for influence and take power for our time. Power has never been won by waiting humbly at the tables of the powerful and mighty. We have to make Buganda one of the places on globe to do business like our great grand fathers did…. They made the World come to Buganda and indeed they are the founding fathers of Uganda. Some people don’t want to hear this but it is the truth.
As a generation we must take responsibility for the present deficits and spearhead reforms that will indeed transform our country and the lives of our people. We must liberate Buganda and Uganda from Dictatorship and Corruption that has now eaten the entire nation. We should not shy away from our role as a founding pillar of the present day Uganda.
We should not hide our inadequacies in the “Basajja batuli bubbi talk”. We must not sit to celebrate “bukunkumuka” or wait to be told that you can’t fight for “ekiwagu” when in fact the whole bunch (enkoota) is yours. …No more humiliation for our Kingdom and our people….we must say. How dare we resign, we descendants of the great Baganda? No we shall not do this, not me and I hope not you.
It is undoubtedly true that Ugandans in the Diaspora are making significant contributions to the Ugandan economy. You represent a vital resource and therefore a reserve force for us turn to in bolstering projects geared towards driving Buganda and Uganda to a desired destiny. There are many direct investments attributed to you and there is no question that you have a big potential. It is because of this that even your home governments either want to use you for their selfish ends or fear you for your potential. You have beaten the odds and made strides even without backing, incentives and a stable political and economic environment from your countries. Just wake up to this jewel that you wield and harness it for change back home.

Rise up and take advantage of what your government has failed to deliver on. For example; work on setting up a data collection mechanism and building up a database for of all Ugandans in the Diaspora. This will be vital in in ascertaining your, actual numbers, location, skills and activities that you can exploit and deploy for the betterment of Uganda.

As we project your voice, make purposeful intent towards taking part in activities that influence the direction of your country and Kingdom directly, indirectly and at any opportunity. It could be through elections, legislation or the contribution to policy matters while lending your vast exposure to the achievement of the same. You are well placed for advocacy, lobbying and the defusing of propaganda that is aimed at hiding the true picture of the current situation in Uganda. Be at hand to act as points of contact and reference to excellent alliances here in the Diaspora as you interest them in the true picture of events back home. Your King back in Buganda and us all will be relying on all these potentials that you have to help forge a way forward.
That’s how we will triumph the future. And tonight, I’d like to talk about how we get there….because policies that have changed Nations are made by people with power. The first step in winning the future is giving ourselves a Government that is more competent than the one we have at the moment. We will never secure Buganda without securing Uganda first. Some people here may be already shifting in their chairs and about to accuse me of “importing partisan politics” in this rather “apolitical” meeting…..but what is political in demanding and resolving to give one’s self a good Government?
Realism demands that we accept one fact that the Nation Uganda is for real. Although founded by our forefathers, it was hijacked and used against us….to either stay as a territory under occupation or ever on our knees pleading with our captors. With this fear in our mind we have been enslaved for generations….Even a mere declaration that a Muganda wants power sounds sinful.
Realism demands that now and not any other time we stand up to say that we are the biggest shareholder in this Company Uganda, we don’t request for but we demand for our stake…we pay our taxes to Uganda, Uganda has the coercive power of the State so we can’t continue looking on as the same is used against us…all this should be used for us. Is this offensive to the Karamajong, Iteso, Acholi, Langi, Banyoro or Banyankole…. I say no; it’s not offensive you can’t be offended when a fellow Company shareholder demands for his shares…hear this Uganda; Buganda wants Power for self-determination…AND tonight let’s talk about this. THANK YOU.