Mengo resumes demand for federo, Govt debt

By Joyce Namutebi

Mengo has renewed demand for a federo status and payment of a sh19b debt it says the Central Government owes.

Buganda prime minister, Eng JB Walusimbi said Mengo was in the process of setting parameters for the basis of negotiations with the Central Government. He said a peaceful Uganda could only be attained after Buganda issues were sorted out.

His comments were contained in a speech read by the deputy Katikkiro, Emmanuel Sendawula, at Buganda Parliamentary Caucus one-day retreat held at Katomi Kingdom Resort on Friday.

Buganda is demanding rental arrears of sh6.26b for the lease of Lubigi, where National Water and Sewerage Corporation is constructing a sewerage treatment plant, and sh11.5b for Kigo farm prison. The arrears for Kigo date as far back as August 1993 to May 2011, the meeting heard.

From the state lodge in Makindye, Buganda is demanding sh800m and from the military barracks in Makindye, sh290m.

The demands also include the 9,000 square mile Buganda land.

The Vice President, Edward Sekandi, who was tasked by President Yoweri Museveni to head the negotiations, had earlier told the caucus that his team was awaiting feedback from Mengo.

During the meeting, MPs expressed concern at the absence of ministers from the region and vowed to black list them. The former Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, made a presentation on viable economic activities that the region could engage in.