The major political events in Uganda (1962 1971)
Despite
the social and economic development of Uganda in the first eight years
of independence, the political atmosphere was not conducive for the
continuity of the economic development leading to the turmoil under
which we are still languishing today. For two years after independence,
there was relative stability in Uganda as the leaders respected the
constitution. The following events are noted to have been responsible
for the unnecessary political changes and conflicts in Uganda.
Firstly, the Democratic Party was not happy with what they considered
unfair electoral arrangement in Buganda that led to their defeat in
polls.
Secondly, the Kabaka Yekka (KY) who had allied with UPC to win the 1962
polls expected Obote to safeguard Buganda's rational interests.
Thirdly, the wealthy class of Asian and European businessmen who gave
UPC material support expected protection and promotion of their
commercial interest. Obote's own UPC party supporters haboured special
regional interests. Obote also had problems with the army especially
after the 1964 army mutiny. There, at the time of Independence, was
suspicion and mistrust amongst the political leadership of Uganda.
The Lost Counties Issue
These lost counties are found in the new district of Kibale in Bunyoro. The issue came up as a result of the outstanding rivalry between Buganda and Bunyoro. The Banyoro who resisted British rule had to be defeated with the help of the Baganda. The Baganda were therefore, rewarded with about six counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi were the most important. Buganda became a colonial power in Bunyoro by forcing all Banyoro to abandon their culture adopt Luganda language and names. Speaking Kinyoro language was considered a crime in the ‘lost Counties' because it was considered inferior. Baganda chiefs were rejected that led to Nyangire rebellion of 1907. There were also other rebellions throughout the 1930s.
These counties were very important to Bunyoro because they were fertile and were used as cultural sites. This therefore, left the Banyoro complaining bitterly from 1900 to 1963. The issue was solved through a referendum, which was held in the lost counties i.e. the people of the lost countries were to choose whether to belong to Bunyoro or Buganda.
Mutesa was not in favour of the referendum. Well aware of the possible
outcome of the referendum in favour of Bunyoro, Mutesa attempted to
increase the pro Buganda vote through a settlement scheme involving
8,000 ex service men at Ndaiga in Buyaga County. The referendum was
carried out on 4th November 1964 and the lost counties were returned to
Bunyoro. Edward Mutesa who refused to sign into law the bill
authorizing the transfer of the lost counties to Bunyoro created great
enmity between himself and Obote.
1962 Constitution and Special Position Of Buganda
One of the major problems Obote faced when he came to power was the
1962 Independence constitution which gave Buganda full federal status,
semi-federal to other kingdoms while the rest of the districts were
related differently to the central government and were to be governed
from the centre in a unitary fashion.
This constitution did not favour Obote's ambition to form a powerful
unitary government. Secondly, the constitution left the Queen of
England acting as the head of state for Uganda. Thirdly, it created two
categories of members in the National Assembly. The first elected
directly from the rest of the country and second category elected
indirectly by Buganda's Lukiiko.
Buganda demanded federal status in order to safeguard her special status within Uganda. Buganda wanted to retain control over its MPs by nominating them, a suggestion that was not entertained by the central government. The constitution provided for the post of the executive Prime Minister and that of the constitutional president but their powers were not well defined. They kept on conflicting until the wise Obote found a solution in 1966. The constitution lacked originality, as it was foreign made without consulting many Ugandans.
Buganda demanded federal status in order to safeguard her special status within Uganda. Buganda wanted to retain control over its MPs by nominating them, a suggestion that was not entertained by the central government. The constitution provided for the post of the executive Prime Minister and that of the constitutional president but their powers were not well defined. They kept on conflicting until the wise Obote found a solution in 1966. The constitution lacked originality, as it was foreign made without consulting many Ugandans.
It also promoted sectarianism by elevating Buganda over other districts
hence the creation of sub nationalism within one nation. The above are
the reasons, which explain why Obote abrogated the 1962 independence
constitution in 1967.
- Other features of the 1962 constitution were:
- It provided for the existence of a Unitary and a semi federal form of government.
- Among the federal states, only Buganda had full federal status, more power and more privileges.
- Uganda was neither a monarchy nor a republic. In reality, it was more Unitary.
• The High court of Uganda and the High court of Buganda were presided over by the same Judge to ensure that the Buganda High court did not usurp the jurisdiction of the high court of Uganda
- Customary laws were excluded from the legislative powers of parliament.
• Some of the problems created by the independence constitution were
solved in two ways. Firstly, creation of the post of president and vice
president, and secondly non-kingdom areas also had to send the titular
heads and kings for equal representation in parliament. These titular
heads were Senkulu for Bukedi, Umuyinga for Bugisu, Kingoo for Sebei,
Agofe Ubimo for West Nile, Won Nyaa for Lango and Rutakirwangabo for
Kigezi
Collapse Of Upc/Ky Alliance
This alliance was seen from the beginning as shaky and a time-bomb.
Even during the 9th October 1962 independence celebrations at Kololo,
two types of pictures were visible on the placards. That of UPC had a
huge portrait of Obote in the middle and a small Mutesa in the corner.
The other for KY had Mutesa in the middle and a small Obote on the
sides. This was a mere sign of the fundamentally conflicting visions
and interests of the leaders and their supporters.
According to Grace Ibingira, the then Minister of Justice in Uganda,
UPC/KY alliance initially worked well but soon conflicts of opinion
surfaced. Obote made it clear that he was not happy with the UPC/KY
alliance because it was a stumbling block within UPC party and
government. He no longer wanted the merging of the two parties. As
highlighted by Prof. S K Karugire, Obote's biggest problem as a leader
was conviction in the concept of "Winner takes all" and once in power,
always in power.
Causes of the collapse of UPC/KY alliance
Causes of the collapse of UPC/KY alliance
- The alliance was a temporary plan to defeat the catholic dominated DP.
- Prominent KY members like Dr ES Lumu and Amos Sempa; etc crossed the floor to join UPC. This left the KY very weak.
• Throughout 1964, many prominent DP members also crossed the floor to
join UPC in pursuit of national unity. This gave UPC a two thirds'
majority. UPC did not need the alliance of KY to stay in office.
The UPC/KY alliance was officially dissolved in 1964. KY cabinet
ministers lost their posts and were replaced by the new DP and KY
members who had joined UPC.
The 1965 Conflicts in UPC Party
The Uganda Peoples Congress party itself was not spared from the
confusion that had affected the politics of Uganda. From 1964 onwards,
there appeared disagreements among the staunch UPC leaders. The party
split into three wings: the right wing of Grace Ibingira; Obote at the
centre; and the left wing of Kakonge. After the UPC delegates
conference some members including John Kakonge and quite a number of
progressive people were expelled from the party on the ground that they
were extremists who were trying to introduce a different ideological
line. Some people becoming more popular than Obote within the party.
The critics of Obote included men like Grace Ibingira (minister of
State and Secretary General of UPC), Dr Emmanuel B S Lumu (Minister of
Health and UPC Chairman in Buganda), Balaki Kirya (Natural Resources
Minister), Mathias Ngobi, and George Magezi, among others.
Daudi Ochieng demanded a clarification from Obote, Onama, Adoko and Amin about the alleged looting of gold and ivory from Congo.
Daudi Ochieng demanded a clarification from Obote, Onama, Adoko and Amin about the alleged looting of gold and ivory from Congo.
Gold Allegation Scandal
Daudi Ocheing (KY Member for Mubende) moved a
motion in parliament which came to be known as the gold allegation
scandal. The motion had two allegations, firstly that senior government
officials had benefited from looted goods. He demanded a clarification
from Obote, Felix Onama, Adoko Nekyon and Amin about the alleged
looting of gold, coffee, ivory and other precious commodities from
Congo. Uganda army under Col. Amin was helping the rebels in Zaire to
defeat the Central Government Congo and Secede in 1964.
Secondly, that some members of the government were planning to
overthrow the government. Amin in particular was accused of training a
special group to topple government.
Daudi Ocheing who was Mutesa's ally together with Grace Ibingira used
that opportunity to move a motion to suspend Idi Amin, his bank account
that had thousands of pounds be investigated. Surprisingly Amin was
promoted to the rank of major and made to replace Shaban Opolot as army
commander.
Parliament also demanded a commission of inquiry into the activities of
the other four members mentioned above on the plan for the attempted
coup.
The result was that a commission of inquiry was set up but Ocheing was
threatened and he fled the country. According to Akena Adoko ("From
Obote to Obote": 1983), later, there was a plan by some army officers
to assassinate Obote. The gold allegation issue led to the outbreak of
the 1966 political crisis.
Arrest of Ministers
In February 1966, Obote resolved to arrest Kabaka/Ibingira's group,
which was composed of Shaban Opolot, Grace Ibingira, Lumu, George B K,
Magezi, Balaki Kirya, and Mathias Ngobi. This was dramatically effected
on 22nd February 1966 as cabinet sat discussing terms of reference for
judges who would serve on the proposed commission of inquiry into the
misconduct of Amin. They were imprisoned until 1971 when Amin came to
power.
BK. Magezi Ngobi Lumu Ibingira
BK. Magezi Ngobi Lumu Ibingira
National Movements and New States in Africa