Andrew Kayiira - The Buganda Factor

The Buganda Factor

The Buganda factor was given appropriate consideration not only in as far as the routing is concerned, but also in as far as the medium of communication is concern. It should be remembered that Radio Majwala, broadcasting in Luganda, the news about the advancement of the "Wakomboozi" (liberators) did a lot to assure the population of the Ugandan terrain through which the Uganda National Liberation Front and the Tanzanian troops passed heading for Kampala, the Ugandan capital.

From this time on the oligarchically dominating figures residing in hideouts like the Nile Mansions turned themselves into targets to be dealt with, with any means possible. The Kayiira activists did not yet possess guns which at this time were a preserve to Muwanga and Museveni. They reverted to other means, crude as they were, in attempting to flush out the oligarchs out of the hideouts. Firing at the people with live ammunition as a way of dispersing peacefully assembled people on the part of Museveni, and the attempt to blow up the Nile Mansion on the part of Kayiira drove the initial deadly wedge between Kayiira and Museveni. The people were terrified and terrorized. Binaayiisa was sworn in as President and warmed the chair sufficiently until Obote was welcomed back by Paulo Muwanga to campaign for elections under the pigeon-hole Constitution of 1967. As Muwanga declared the oncoming elections some of us, in vain, persuaded Paulo K. Ssemogerere not to go for elections without an amended Constitution from a dictatorial to a democratic one. Elections were held.

The first meeting took place on January 7, 1981, on the side of Lake Victoria. This meeting was attended by the late Dr. Lutaakome Andrew Kayiira, Francis Bwengye, Onyango Odongo, Lt. Sam Magara, Lt. Col. Peter Oboma, the late George Nkwanga, and many others. The meeting was chaired by the late Dr. Kayiira. The objective was to form a united front. It was agreed to unanimously. To that effect a declaration was written. When time to sign the declaration came Lt. Sam Magara, Museveni's representative, refrained from signing because he was not authorized by Museveni to do so. Another meeting was convened and was held at Bunnamwaaya. Museveni attended this meeting in person. He refused to be part of a united front with other groups, "arguing that he did not want the executive committee of such a front, composed of civilians to control his fighters".