''Kabaka consulted before signing ebyaffe deal''

By Jeff Andrew Lule

KAMPALA - Kabaka Ronald Mutebi consulted widely before signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Government on the return of the kingdom’s properties, the Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, has said.

Mayiga, who was addressing the Buganda Kingdom Lukiiko (assembly) at Bulange on Monday, the Katikkiro said the Kabaka first consulted his legal team extensively over several issues before signing the agreement.

The agreement, that took effect on August 1, requires the Government to return to the Kabaka the former estate of Buganda Kingdom.

This includes markets, land in urban centres in Buganda, land where former administration headquarters – the Gombololas (sub-counties) and Masaza (counties) were situated as well as land on Mityana road (Jeza Farm).

Government will also compensate the Kabaka for Plot 52, Kampala Road and Muteesa House on 42 Queen’s Garden Road, London.

Also in the deal, government will pay the Kabaka sh20b in the next financial year as rent arrears, premium, dues, court awards, interest accrued and other claims to be verified later.

The agreement also states that the Government and the Kabaka shall refrain from engaging in hostile propaganda against each other.

The two parties also agreed that the Kabaka shall respect the cultural norms of other related ethnic communities located in Buganda such as the Banyala and Baruli. He will also leave to them land where the former administrative units are situated.

Mayiga said when the Kabaka appointed him, he advised him to continue with negotiations with the Government over the return of the  properties.

“The Kabaka gave me a team that included Apollo Makubuya (minister for justice) and Prince David Wasajja. The President later called me and my members to discuss several issues. We discussed and agreed to put everything in writing, which he accepted,” Mayiga explained.

He said after the Kabaka consulted his lawyers, he signed the Memorandum of Understanding and it was taken to the President, who also signed.

Mayiga said he was surprised to hear people criticising the agreement, saying it is not binding.

“This MOU was done under the Return of the Properties under the Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act 1993. It is under the same Act that we got Bulange, the Lubiri and others,” he said.

Responding to the Katikkiro’s briefing, Dr. Jack Luyombya and Ibrahim Seguya said the  Lukiiko needed to be consulted on the document before it was signed.

Mayiga, however, said they could not consult everyone on the matter. He added that  properties need verification before the Government can pay compensation to Mengo. “Our finance minister is  carrying out the verification.  I urge you to be patient."

Mayiga condemned the behaviour of the youth who heckled the President during the Kabaka’s 20th anniversary celebrations, saying such conduct was uncalled for and shameful.