Binaisa was a traitor, say monarchists
By Sharon J. Tibenda – 9th-15th Aug 2010
Traitor?
The death of former Uganda President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa QC [RIP] on 5th August 2010 has elicited mixed reactions from members of the general public with others calling him a “ traitor” for his role [as the then Attorney General] in the 1966 Buganda Crisis.
Such negative outbursts are, however, rare in Africa. In most parts of Africa, and certainly in Uganda, it is still considered impolite, and perhaps, even a “taboo”, to say bad things about people who have passed on. On this occasion however, some ultra loyal Baganda monarchists who are still angry at Binaisa’s 1966 role, have dispensed with that cultural norm of decency and attacked the late Ex-President of Uganda in death.John Stephen Luttamaguzi, a 43yr old weather beaten boda boda rider from Bakuli who claims to be a staunch Mengo Kingdom supporter, told Uganda Correspondent that he thinks their ancestors have finally had their revenge on Binaisa. “That man organised [the] invasion of Lubiri. Now our “Jajjas” [ancestors, Ed] have punished him because he was a traitor”; he said.
Buganda Kingdom Spokesperson Mr. Charles Peter Mayiga seems to agree with the aggrieved boda boda rider. In an interview with one of Uganda’s main English dailies after Binaisa’s death on 5th August 2010, Mayiga said, “…Binaisa was an accomplice to Buganda’s problems. At the time he was President, the country was unstable. So, he did not play any major role in helping kingdoms. He drafted the 1966 Constitution which outlawed the monarchies. But when he became President, he identified himself with the kingdoms and paid homage to the Kabaka”.
Uganda’s Prime Minister Prof Apollo Nsibambi, himself a Muganda by tribe, however had kinder words for the departed former head of state. “He will be greatly missed. He led Uganda at a time when there was so much instability. The army was in control of the State at that time and he did not enjoy adequate control over it. When he tried sending David Oyite Ojok to Algeria as an ambassador, Binaisa was removed from power”; Nsibambi said.
As Attorney General in the 1960s, it is alleged that the late Binaisa had advised President Milton Obote [RIP] to suspend Uganda’s constitution and ban traditional kingdoms as a way of nipping Kabaka [King] Edward Mutesa’s political ambitions in the bud. It is alleged that Edward Mutesa had on February 9th 1966 called the British High Commissioner and asked for massive military assistance. Obote, it is said, was never satisfied with Mutesa’s explanation about his telephone conversation with the British High Commissioner and he abrogated the constitution of Uganda on February 24th 1966.
