Museveni pledges to address Bunyoro’s colonial injustices
President Museveni greets a Bunyoro Kingdom subject during the 22nd coronation anniversary celebrations of the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, in Hoima District at the weekend. PHOTO BY PPU
What you need to know:
Steps. The Banyoro have been mobilising to sue Britain, seeking reparations for the injustices allegedly suffered by the sub-region during the colonial era.
Hoima. President Museveni has promised affirmative action to Bunyoro sub-region as part of efforts to address its historical and colonial injustices.
Speaking as chief guest at the 22nd coronation anniversary celebrations of the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, at the weekend, the President said he understands the devastation Bunyoro suffered.
“I appointed Honourable Matia Kasaija as Finance minister so that he follows up to ensure money intended to support Bunyoro is not mixed up with other priorities,” Mr Museveni said.
Museveni said one of the reasons the NRM fought was to correct historical injustices which explains why one of its battalions was named after Bunyoro legendary king Chwa II Kabalega, who resisted imperialism.
Mr Museveni said he discussed with Mr Gordon Brown, the then British prime minister, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Uganda hosted in 2007, and he asked government to use part of the Britain aid to support Bunyoro.
Bunyoro resisted colonialism during the reign of Omukama Kabalega. However Kabalega was defeated in 1899 and exiled in Seychelles Island. He died in 1923 on his way home.
Bunyoro sub-region is endowed with commercially viable oil deposits in the Albertine graben and the President said an oil refinery and pipeline will be built in Hoima District, all which will bring development.
“You will see money flowing here. Grow food to supply the workers, hotels and other projects to tap the benefits,” Mr Museveni said.
He said the Masindi-Hoima-Kyenjojo road will be tarmacked using funds from the World Bank and the African Development Bank while the Hoima-Buliisa-Wanseko road and the Mubende-Kagadi road will be tarmacked using government funds.
The Omukama of Bunyoro, who ascended the throne in 1994, asked his subjects to bear more children in order to increase Bunyoro’s population.
According to the 2014 National Population and Housing Census, out of 34.6 million people, Banyoro were 966,976.
The issue at hand
Some Banyoro have been mobilising to sue Britain, seeking reparations for the injustices allegedly suffered by the region during the colonial era. Some of the injustices include killings, displacement, exploitation of wealth and cultural erosion.
