By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Buganda Kingdom’s King (Kabaka) Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has furiously warned the re-elected government of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that it can play all sorts of games of diversions on the matter of federal but don’t dare touch in Kingdom’s eye it is left with-Mailo land.
Kabaka who was speaking at his 28th coronation anniversary ceremony held at at Nkoni Palace in Lwengo District Saturday, noted that despite his cabinet and Lukiiko (Parliament) consistently demanding for what they say belongs to them, government has not responded which seems to be giving him sleepless nights.
“You all know, for the last 28 years, we have been at the forefront of demanding for our justice, federal, land, buildings and other assets, Í want to emphasize this, we shall not relent in our quest for our properties through negotiations just like we have been doing,” Kabaka Mutebi said.
In the same vein, Kabaka wondered; ”Why is the land of other regions not in question?, Why is Buganda’s welcoming stature taken as a weakness?”
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In case you’re wondering why Buganda Kingdom has been spiting venom on matters of land for last few weeks, it all started in early June when President Museveni while delivering his 32nd Heroes’ Day Anniversary speech at Kololo Independence Grounds noted that land wrangles in Uganda are sponsored by the ‘‘very bad’’ Mailo land tenure system used in Buganda kingdom stating that it’s ”an evil system.”
President Museveni further noted; “It is really very bad and not fair but some people support it. How do you allow these things to happen?” he said.
Meanwhile, its is worth noting that in 2013, President Yoweri Museveni signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of emissaries of His Majesty Ssabasajja Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, Prime Minister Owekitiibwa Charles Mayega, Prince David Wasajja, Owekitiibwa Apollo Makubuya and Ssabasaja Kabaka’s and subject Ndiwalana Hebert that marked the return of Kingdom properties.
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As per the memorandum of understanding signed by two parties, the government agreed to return the kingdom’s property that includes all counties and sub-counties administrative buildings and land, Jeza Farm on Mityana Road, Mutesa House in London, which was sold by the Milton Obote government, Plot 52 on Kampala Road which houses King Fahd Plaza, and all land belonging to the kingdom.
However, even though the MoU was signed, Baganda say few were returned and a couple of properties are still in Government’s hands. Few that were handed back to the Kingdom include; Bulange (official kingdom seat), Mengo Palace, land occupied by Makindye Military Barracks, Kigo Prison, Mengo Court but according still, rent arrears for this land that is used by the government have accumulated to over Shs215.8 billion by early 2021.
It is the above rent arrears that triggered the Kingdom three months ago through its Attorney General Christopher Bwanika to give Government 45 days to come out and explain why it has deliberately disrespected the terms of the 2013 agreement something that government still snubbed with silence.
