Buganda, govt disagree on debt claim

MENGO - The Central Government has disputed the sh500b Buganda kingdom is demanding as rent arrears for its occupied properties when kingdoms were abolished in 1966. 

“We demand from the Government sh500b. We request that this money is paid to enable us work on our issues. This matter, I request that this time, the Government considers it urgent and pay the kingdom its money,” Charles Peter Mayiga, the kingdom’s Katikkiro wrote in a post on X. 

However, Henry Musasizi, the state minister for finance (general duties), while responding to concerns by a section of Buganda MPs to have the kingdom’s arrears paid, said the Government said the total verified compensation claim is not more than sh160b. 

“If the arrears are verified, we may not be able to pay all the sh160b at ago. It will be spread over the years, but we are committed to settling them in the medium term,” Musasizi said. 

When contacted, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka declined to comment on the figures, saying he had not yet seen the letter. 

MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda

“I cannot respond to something I have not seen. If I had seen the letter, I would know what they are talking about,” he said. 

Following the 1966 Buganda crisis, the Obote I government abolished kingdoms and turned some of the kingdom properties into offices for the Central Government. 

When kingdoms were restored in 1993, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government promised to compensate them. 

Mayiga said the Government should take the matter seriously and settle the claim to enable the kingdom do its work. 

Musasizi on Thursday last week presented to the budget committee of Parliament a proposal where the Government will use sh120b to pay kingdoms’ compensations claims, ranchers, Kampala Archdiocese for Nsambya Police land as well as Toro and Mityana Tea Company. 

Musasizi informed the committee chaired by Kachumbala County MP Patrick Isiagi that the money is part of the sh347.7b that is required to settle the total claims. 

Some of the Government installations on Buganda Kingdom land include: Makindye Military Barracks, Mbuya Barracks, Makindye General Court Martial, Kigo Prison, as well as Katabi and Bukakata Air Force School. 

The others are over 70 prisons originally built by the kingdom, court buildings, local government offices and land that hosts high voltage electricity transmission lines. 

“The debt that the Government owes Buganda kingdom through these and other properties is sh529.7b. However, the chief government valuer has so far verified sh160b of this. But even this sh160b has not been paid to date, despite numerous reminders. 

‘‘The budget does not reflect this year after year, and the landlord can very potentially sue Government and then it will be condemned to costs and then we will have unnecessary legal battles over matters that can be dealt with amicably,” Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi cited. 

Leader of Opposition (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi.

But Kiryowa assured the MPs that the Government is working to settle the debt.

“What I can assure my colleagues from Buganda, such as myself, is that this matter is being handled. Even the figure you are quoting that has been verified is not complete. So, the process is ongoing and we are handling this matter,” he said. 

“I am fully seized with this matter because I chair that committee personally,” Kiryowa responded. 

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa noted that similar concerns have also been raised by the Toro kingdom and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu. 

During the committee meeting, Musasiizi said mechanisms had been put in place to prevent the further accumulation of arrears.

Buganda MPs speak out 

MPs from Buganda region put Musasizi to task to explain the compensation claim for Buganda. 

Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County), who is also the chairperson of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus, demanded for clarity on how the compensation funds would be distributed. 

“We want to be clear on where the money is going. There has been a trend of generalising everything under kingdoms and ranchers; we need specifics. Buganda Kingdom’s land hosts key security installations. The Government refused to pay, arguing that compulsory acquisition of land for security purposes is legal. But the kingdom has been clear: if this land is strategic, buy it. Or at least pay rent, which they do not,” he said. 

Muwanga added that the situation has gone on for too long without a structured resolution to clear the debt. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality) also wondered whether the Buganda Kingdom’s compensation had been considered. 

“In the second budget circular, sh30b was earmarked for ranchers. My concern is, does that include any funds for Buganda Kingdom?” he asked. In April, there was heated debate in Parliament when Nakawa West lawmaker and Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi accused the Government of normalising a culture of occupying vital strategic assets without compensating landlords. 

“The kingdom is engaged in several projects, such as building schools, hospitals and tertiary institutions. Recently, a hospital was opened in commemoration of the Kabaka’s 70th birthday. The kingdom recently gave out tractors to all eighteen counties of Buganda. When the Government holds back this money, it is frustrating these developmental projects,” Ssenyonyi argued. 

He pointed out that 12 years ago, when the Government returned properties to Buganda, it was expected that it would remit rent for those it continued to occupy.