Buganda to challenge kings Bill in Court

BUGANDA kingdom has reiterated its determination to challenge the Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Bill in the Constitutional Court, a day after Parliament hastily passed it for enactment.

The Bill among others bars traditional or cultural leaders from participating or joining partisan politics, it provides for them to sue or be sued and stops a traditional or cultural leader from dealing with foreign governments except with the concurrence of the Government.

The Bill also caters for the security of the traditional or cultural leader and that of his family, among others.

Buganda prime minister Eng. J.B Walusimbi yesterday said after the kingdom's caution about the unconstitutionality of the Bill was ignored, the only remedy left was to seek redress in court.

The Bill, now an Act of Parliament (law), awaits the assent (signature) of President Yoweri Museveni to come into force.

Museveni, meeting various caucuses of MPs, indicated that he needed the law urgently to bar traditional leaders from partisan politics. Consequently, Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi recalled MPs from recess and Parliament sitting from morning to evening, passed the Bill.

Only opposition MPs, especially those from Buganda, boycotted the session after their attempts to block the Bill failed.
Walusimbi wondered why every time Buganda re-echoes its bonafide demands, it is termed 'partisan and rebellious'.

"Let the Government return all kingdom assets, clear the accumulated rent arrears totalling to over sh20b, grant us a federal system of governance and give the Kabaka due respect," he stated.

Walusimbi urged the people of Buganda to participate in the elections in order to elect people who can address their concerns.

Buganda's Attorney General Apollo Makubuya said the Bill violates the human rights of the Kabaka and the people of Buganda.

He said the Bill unlawfully gives Parliament the power to interpret partisan politics, which power is a reserve of the Constitutional Court.

"The Kabaka is above partisan politics and Buganda supports the constitutional provision, which prohibits traditional leaders from joining and participating in partisan politics," he said.