National Resistance Movement flag bearer, President Yoweri Museveni is leaving his campaigns in Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom where he has been since Sunday contented that his discussions and promises with leaders there will result in maximum support for the party in the February 2011 elections.
Museveni has promised that his government will ensure Bunyoro benefits from the oil being exploited in the area, and that he will help the kingdom get compensation from former colonial masters Britain for the ills the kingdom suffered at the hands of Britain that have left the area underdeveloped to this day.
The president at a press conference in Masindi on Wednesday announced his government is to set up a ministry for Bunyoro as affirmative action to enable the kingdom develop. Museveni has finally agreed with the local leaders in the area that Bunyoro’s problems are unique since they were severely mistreated by the British for resisting colonialism.
Currently, there are ministries for Luwero Triangle, Rwenzori region and northern Uganda to enable government to focus more specific attention on these areas that find themselves disadvantaged.
The President has left Bunyoro with the people happy that he will support their long time call for compensation from Britain which the Kingdom of Bunyoro Kitara has been threatening to sue in the International Criminal Court for war crimes, gross human rights violations and plunder of property.
The kingdom has compiled hand written diaries of British soldiers describing their exploits in Bunyoro which they intend to use as evidence should the case go to court, but the King, Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru has recently been engaging a lower gear of diplomacy expecting Britain to offer compensation to the kingdom.
Also see
Bunyoro Kingdom’s compensation demands from Britain
King Iguru still expecting compensation from Britain for war crimes during colonialism
Bunyoro king, Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru
Iguru on behalf of Bunyoro kingdom is demanding a total of 3.7 billion pounds as compensation from Britain and it is not clear whether this is what Museveni is promising to help the kingdom pursue.
Britain has refused to accept any responsibility for crimes Bunyoro accuses it of saying there were no laws existing at that time that they broke, although former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had agreed with Museveni to fund land reforms as part of righting the wrongs the colonialists left in Uganda.
Not included in the current compensation demand is the return of land to Banyoro in the former lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi that currently make up Kibaale district, and the other five countries that were not returned to Bunyoro from Buganda which got them as a token for supporting the British in ousting Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro who fought the British for over nine years.
Although Buyaga and Bugangaizi were returned to Bunyoro after the 1964 referendum, the land remained in the hands absentee Baganda landlords to this day, and has been a major source of conflicts between Banyoro and immigrants especially Bakiga who have migrated there in large numbers.
Museveni has been promising to help solve all misunderstandings in the area and advising people to desist from sectarian tendencies. He has also been encouraging them to work hard. He has also promised to tarmac two major roads in Bunyoro and to provide piped water to the area.
But many will interpret Museveni’s promises to Bunyoro as campaign gimmicks to win support, especially for an area where the all important natural resource of oil is located.
See oil in Uganda