Chief Justice Owiny Dollo pays courtesy visit to Bulange Mengo to apologize to Kabaka

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny- Dollo has paid a courtesy visit to Buganda Kingdom Headquarters in Bulange Mengo to personally apologize to the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi for the comments he made after Oulanyah’s death.

The Chief Justice earlier in the week issued a written apology for references he made about the monarch, that was widely condemned for carrying tribal undertones.

“I hereby unequivocally, unreservedly, and of my free volition, wholly retract that reference; and also hereby tender my apology to His Majesty, the Kabaka,” he said in the statement.

“I will immediately hereafter communicate to the Katikkiro of Buganda in writing, registering this apology.”

Dollo, while speaking last week at the vigil held at the home of the fallen Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah, assailed the people of Buganda for allegedly organizing a protest against Oulanyah in the United States where he had been flown for treatment.

He wondered why the same people did not hold similar demonstrations when the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was flown to Germany for treatment following a severe allergic reaction in August last year.

“But you, who were demonstrating… your ethnic leader was transported in a presidential jet to Germany using private funds he was not entitled. You did not demonstrate,” he said.

“Is it because Oulanyah is an Acholi? Is it because Oulanyah doesn’t speak your language? Only a wicked person can fight a person who is fighting for his life.”

The Kingdom of Buganda was later to respond in a statement, terming Dollo’s comments as baseless.

“That is why we beseech all people including leaders at all levels to respect and honor the deceased by avoiding making baseless remarks which create a rivalry that in turn saddens the house, friends, and the entire country even more.” Wrote Charles Peter Mayiga, the Prime Minister of Buganda.

Speaking at the beginning of the meeting Mayiga expressed satisfaction that “my colleague” Owiny Dollo had willfully decided to come and “make things right”.

Mayiga said that it is a great move and of noble character if someone by his own accord decides to reach out to another party in case there are things that were not correctly said.

The meeting that is still underway will not proceed without journalists as Mayiga insisted that they be ushered out while Dollo makes his speech in the presence of religious leaders and the Buganda Kingdom brass.