Accusations have increased in frequency and intensity that Banyankole have primary responsibility for the suffering being experienced in Uganda, implying punitive measures when the time comes. There were reports that after the brutal manner in which the demonstrators were handled in Kampala in 2009 by security forces, some people vowed that Banyankole would pay a commensurate price including innocent ones that had nothing to do with the disproportionate use of force. Anybody coming from southwest Uganda has been defined as a Munyankole and some of them have been assaulted. Banyankole are therefore wondering on which side to stand: with a tiny group of rulers from Ankole who are causing the chaos and suffering in Uganda or those who are opposed but have vowed to punish any Munyankole when the time comes.
Warnings have gone out that those who accuse Banyankole either in their individual capacity or as representatives of groups should check their facts first to avoid harming innocent people. Southwest Uganda has a complex history of rulers and ruled and of immigrants especially since the late 1950s who pose as Banyankole or Bakiga. We therefore need to know who is who from southwest Uganda and who is doing what. Without this disaggregated information innocent Banyankole and Bakiga or their properties may end up in trouble for nothing.
Southwest Uganda has some of the poorest families in the whole of Uganda. Therefore lumping all Banyankole and Bakiga as the beneficiaries of NRM regime who are impoverishing and torturing other Ugandans in order to stay in power indefinitely is the worst mistake that can be made.
What Ugandans opposed to NRM need to do is to unite for the sole purpose of unseating NRM government. Then the rest will follow. Unity is the answer. We witnessed it in the 1950s when Ugandans were unhappy and united in opposition to some decisions taken by the colonial administration.
United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) was formed in July 2011 to unite all opposition forces at home and abroad and speak with one voice. We have been urged by our development partners, friends and well wishers to unite. It will be easier for them to extend a helping hand to opposition groups when they are united than when they are divided.
UDU is working very hard using all methods including diplomacy to bring about peaceful change to Uganda. We have already prepared a National Recovery Plan (NRP) as an alternative to failed NRM policies. We are now working on the political agenda. We appeal to all opposition forces to come together under one umbrella and speak with one force and advance NRM’s departure date. Unity works. In Kenya when opposition groups united under NARC, they defeated KANU very easily. In Zambia when opposition groups came together under MMD, they defeated UNIP very easily. NRM will not be defeated unless opposition groups come together. And the earlier we do that the better.
Eric Kashambuzi
Secretary-General, UDU