One can trace the gun politics to that obnoxious government, called the British government to which Ochieno has voted with his feet to give his allegiance since his physical and mental well-being depends on it.
Here is my brief outline of key events that are crucial.
1. In 1894 the British created a protectorate in Buganda and sought to expand to the rest of what is now called Uganda. In the process it annexed to Buganda parts of the rebellious Kabalega’s territory—sowing the first seeds of future troubles.
2. UPC/KY Alliance.
a. 1961 Elections results: DP: 43
UPC: 35
Others: 13
b. 1962 Election results: UPC: 37
DP: 24
KY: 21
While UPC had a majority in the 1962 elections, there was a clear unfairness with the indirect elections in Buganda where DP could not take advantage of where it had relative strength. KY MPs were appointed by Mengo. The Mengo setup was supported by the British with the connivance of UPC. This was another seed of future troubles. What would have been the outcome of the 1962 elections had Buganda participated in a direct one-man-one vote?
3. 1966 Crisis. While the apparent crisis seemed to be between Mengo and the Obote’s government, the real problems were the intrigues and fights for control of UPC in which Obote muscled his way out of, hence the beginning of the post-independence gun politics.
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OdiyaTalks,
You are right-the problem was between Mengo and UPC. Why? The lost counties and the referendum.
Even if it manifested itself as the struggle within UPC, it was clearly a Mengo leaning or allied faction-Ibingira and Mutesa, who thought that they as Bantu royalties, had more claims and rights to rule in Uganda that northerners, who were less enamoured by the thought of aristocracy and divine rights.
So Ibingira was Mutesa's right hand man to engineer the defeat of Obote-leaning or nationalists UPCs in Buganda and Ankole. The scheme could not work in Bunyoro, because the UPC had just endeared itself there with the referendum on the lost counties, which was one of the major causes of the 1966 crisis and the fall-out between UPC and KY. Another area that the Ibingira-Mutesa faction could not count on was Busoga, where Nadiope as Vice President of UPC, was in full control and did not buy into the plot, even though he was still smarting from being passed-over by his party for Mutesa to assume the presidency and ceremonial head of state position. Interestingly, all UPC MPs and members wanted Nadiope to be president and head of state, but Mitlon Obote pleaded with and eventually persuaded them to reluctantly annoint Mutesa as head of state.
This account is well written in two articles by de la Rue in The Rise and Fall of Ibingira, and by Mujaju in The 1966 Crisis I will try to check my electronic archive and email it to you if you are interested.
Before I forget: I like your blog and what and the way you write. I visit often and it has also helped me spruce up the formating of NUMP. Thanks and when you come across novel tools and gadgets, pass it around.
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