Kabaka of Buganda (Talks) (Hansard, 27 October 1960)

§ Mr. Iain Macleod

As the date for the registration of electors in Buganda was approaching and the Buganda Government were exhorting people not to register, I invited the Kabaka and his advisers to London to discuss, in particular, the attitude of the Buganda Government to the forthcoming elections. Discussions were held over a period of five weeks but were indeterminate. After the delegation returned to Uganda the Buganda Government revived its demand for secession and independence. Since there was clearly much misunderstanding over Her Majesty's Government's policy and particularly over the fact that the constitutional proposals for the Protectorate as a whole would not adversely affect Buganda's present special position, I authorised the issue of a statement on 17th October including an account of the London talks. I am circulating the text of this statement below. I am also placing in the Library a copy of my dispatch setting out the constitutional changes for the Protectorate.

Following is the statement: As the date for the opening registration of electors in Buganda approached, the Kabaka's Government publicly declared its opposition to participation by the people of Buganda. The Secretary of State therefore invited the Kabaka to London for a general exchange of views and, in particular, to discuss this matter; and suggested that his Highness might wish to bring advisers with him. The invitation was accepted and talks began on August 15. In opening the talks, the Secretary of State reaffirmed the intention of Her Majesty's Government that elections should be held throughout Uganda early in 1961 for members of the new Legislative Council and that registration should begin in Buganda on August 22. He made it clear that there was no prospect that this decision might be reconsidered and no question of any further postponement of the date for the commencement of registration in Buganda. 299W He reaffirmed that the Relationships Commission which is to consider and recommend the final form of Government which would be best suited to the needs of an independent Uganda, was to be set up as soon as possible. He made it clear to the Buganda delegation throughout the talks that he was not prepared to discuss matters reserved for consideration by the Relationships Commission, and in consequence he was unable to pre-judge the advice of the Commission by making a declaration that the future constitution of Buganda would be federal in character. He explained that the recommendations of the Relationships Commission would be considered by a conference in London at which the Kabaka's Govern-meat, together with representatives of the Protectorate Government and of the other parts of Uganda, would be represented. Mr. Macleod pointed out that the constitutional arrangements to come into force after the elections early in 1961 would not in any way prejudice Buganda's position under its agreements with Her Majesty's Government. He reminded the Buganda delegation that during the stage when these arrangements were in force the Executive Council in Uganda would remain advisory to the Governor. He affirmed that until independence for Uganda as a whole comes into being, or until the agreements for the time being subsisting between the Crown on the one hand and the Kabaka, Chiefs and peoples of Buganda on the other hard, otherwise come to an end, the kingdom of Buganda would keep the powers it already possessed. These could include any additional powers which Her Majesty's Government might have been prepared to extend as a result of the consultations between the Buganda Govern-merit and the Protectorate Government which had then been going on for some time. He made it clear, however, that it would be inappropriate to negotiate any matters of major principle before the Relationships Commission had reported and that so long as there was no evidence of the Buganda Government's intention to co-operate in the decisions reached for the Protectorate as a whole he could not agree the implementation of any changes in the Buganda Constitution. The Secretary of State hoped that, in the light of his assurances about the position of Buganda in relation to the forthcoming elections and new constitution, the Kabaka's advisers would agree to withdraw their opposition, and co-operate in registrations going forward without interference. Unfortunately, this hope was disappointed. The Secretary of State has received a memorandum addressed to Her Majesty The Queen by the members of the Lukiiko. The Secretary of State is considering with all urgency the advice he will submit to Her Majesty on the issues raised in the memorandum. On the question of secession, however, the position of Her Majesty's Government has already been made clear, namely that there can be no question of the secession of any part of the Protectorate so long as Her Majesty's Government is the protecting power. The Secretary of State trusts that this clear statement of the position will serve to remove any apprehensions or misgivings people in Buganda 300W may have about exercising their lawful right to register for the vote, and that those who have held back so far will follow the many thousands of their fellow citizens who have already acted wisely and realistically in this matter. The Secretary of State believes that the Kabaka's Ministers have misunderstood the position and he has therefore been anxious not to close the door to further talks. He fears, however, that if the Kabaka's Ministers persist in advocating a policy which runs wholly counter to that which Her Majesty's Government conceive to be in the best interests of the Protectorate, including Buganda, it will become increasingly difficult for Her Majesty's Government to entertain the hope of securing the co-operation of the present Buganda Government in their plans for the constitutional development of the country. October 17, 1960